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West Star Aviation Appoints Spencer Schwartz to Board of Directors as Audit Committee Chair

East Alton, IL—January 12, 2026— West Star Aviation, a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider to the business aviation industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Spencer Schwartz to its Board of Directors. He will also serve as Chair of the Audit Committee.

Spencer brings a wealth of expertise and a strong track record in financial management, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, and investor relations. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide, a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services.

“Spencer’s deep understanding of the aviation sector and his proven leadership in finance make him a valuable addition to our Board,” said Stephen Maiden, CEO of West Star Aviation. “We are confident that his insights will support our mission to maintain excellence in service while enhancing our operational framework.”

Upon joining West Star Aviation, Spencer stated, “I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to West Star’s continued success. I look forward to working alongside the talented Board and management team as the company enters its next phase of growth.”

Prior to his tenure at Atlas, Spencer held senior finance roles at MasterCard International, Carl Zeiss, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He earned an MBA with honors from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University, and he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

About West Star Aviation
With more than 79 years of industry experience, West Star Aviation stands as a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Employing over 3,000 professionals, West Star offers comprehensive services from our strategically located full-service facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; Chattanooga, TN; Millville, NJ; Perryville, MO; and Statesville, NC, as well as satellite locations in Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, and Chicago. The company’s extensive capabilities encompass maintenance, paint, interior, and avionics services, supported by the largest Aircraft On Ground (AOG) network in the country, ensuring prompt and reliable mobile repair services nationwide.

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Contact Us

WSAA will be piloted at the East Alton, IL facility with the first round of apprentices anticipated to start in August 2024. For more information on West Star Aviation employment or WSAA apprentice selection criteria, please visit www.weststaraviation.com/wsaa-academy or contact Katie Johnson (katiejohnson@wsa.aero) or Dave Lagermann (dlagermann@wsa.aero).

Application & Selection Process

Before applying, please be aware of the standards of conduct for employment with West Star along with the strict requirements below while attending WSAA.

  • Working in Aviation requires a commit to being drug-free.  Pre-employment drug testing along with random and reasonable suspicion testing is required for all companies employing people working in safety sensitive positions. The position you are considering applying for is safety sensitive.  If hired, you must pass a DOT drug test to start working, if you fail the job offer is rescinded.  If you pass, you must remain drug-free during employment, failing a random or reasonable suspicion test may result in termination of employment.  Please note: marijuana is legal in certain states however the FAA follows Federal law where marijuana is illegal.  This means testing positive for marijuana, or any other illegal drug, will prevent you from working in Aviation. 
  • The first 7.5 months will follow a strict schedule: Monday – Friday 7:00am – 3:30pm (breaks and meal periods provided). 
  • The expectation is to arrive inside the learning center and clocked in at 7:00am.
  • While attending WSAA, no more than 4 hours a week can be missed.  Extenuating medical circumstances will be given full consideration with supporting documentation.
  • WSAA follows an FAA approved curriculum which has certain requirements including attendance. 
  • Testing for the FAA license at the conclusion of WSAA is required, along with passing.  Two opportunities to test will be provided, if needed.  Employment may terminate if the FAA license is not obtained.
Apply Online
  • Candidates will be contacted to complete pre-screening assessments and questionnaires. 
  • Qualified candidates will be contacted in late November and scheduled for a tour and interview with Hiring Managers at West Star Aviation in East Alton, IL.
  • To be qualified, candidates must pass the pre-screening process along with submitting a negative DOT drug test result.
  • Finalists will be selected after onsite interviews. Job offers will be extended in mid-December with a start date of January 9, 2024.
  • Pay while learning in the Academy will be $20 per hour.  Upon successfully graduating and obtaining your FAA license, pay will increase to $27 per hour.