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New Chief Operating Officer and General Manager

Chief operating officer

Rodger Renaud, Chief Operating Officer

West Star Aviation recently announced two significant promotions within their organization. Rodger Renaud has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Eric Kujawa to General Manager of West Star’s East Alton, IL (ALN) location. Both changes are effective as of July 1, 2013.

Rodger first joined the West Star team in April 2012, as General Manager of the ALN facility.

“Chief Operating Officer is a new position within our organization and was created based on the robust growth we are experiencing,” says Robert Rasberry, CEO, West Star Aviation. “Our ALN team has grown and prospered under Rodger’s capable leadership, and we are excited for him to take on this new position.”

General Manager

Eric Kujawa, General Manager

As Chief Operating Officer, Rodger will expand his responsibilities to include overseeing all aspects of operations at both the ALN and Grand Junction, CO (GJT) locations. Eric will take over the main leadership role at ALN and be responsible for overseeing all daily operations at  the facility.

“Eric has been with West Star since its inception and he has taken on many important roles and responsibilities since that time,” says Robert Rasberry, CEO, West Star Aviation. “We are confident in Eric’s leadership capabilities and know he will bring continued success at ALN.”

Rodger Renaud can be contacted directly at (618) 258-8020 (office) or (618) 225-7025 (cell).  Eric Kujawa can be contacted directly at 618-258-8855 (office) or 618-407-6443 (cell).

New Chief Operating Officer and General Manager

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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 January 2024. For more information on West Star Aviation employment or WSAA apprentice selection criteria, please visit www.weststaraviation.com/careers 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.
  • 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.