East Alton, IL – [January 10th, 2025] – West Star Aviation is proud to announce the promotion of Bill Richards to Regional Sales Manager, Midwest. Bill transitions to this role after excelling as Falcon Project Manager at the company’s East Alton, Illinois (ALN) facility, succeeding Keith Schroeder, whose nearly five-decade career was marked by a lasting impact on West Star.

Bill brings more than 27 years of aviation experience to his new position. His career began with Garrett Aviation in Springfield, Illinois, where he worked as a Sheet Metal Specialist, focusing on Falcon 20 and Falcon 50 Retrofit Programs. In 2001, he joined Premier Air Center, now West Star Aviation, and has since held roles including Sheet Metal Specialist, Falcon Lead, and Project Manager. A graduate of Southern Illinois University’s Aviation Technologies program, Bill combines technical expertise with a proven ability to lead and deliver outstanding customer service.

“Bill has been a key part of the West Star team for over two decades, and his expertise and dedication make him the ideal leader to take on this role,” said Marty Rhine, Chief Customer Officer and Executive Leader of Sales. “We are excited to see Bill build on the strong foundation established in the Midwest and continue delivering exceptional solutions to our customers.”

West Star Aviation is committed to recognizing and promoting the exceptional talent within its organization, and Bill’s leadership will play an integral role in driving the company’s continued success.

About West Star Aviation With more than 78 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.