Kenneth Ricci is a 40-year aviation industry veteran who today is a Principal of Directional Aviation Capital which owns various aviation enterprises including Flexjet, Sentient Jet, PrivateFly, Tuvoli, Nextant Aerospace, Stonebriar Commercial Finance, Reva Air Ambulance, Corporate Wings, Simcom and Constant Aviation. Tom Mauro is the founder of Albi Homes Ltd., a Calgary, Alberta-based luxury home builder. In working closely with Notre Dames Office of Gift Planning, which has long been a leader in nonprofit funding innovation, we were able to solve a succession problem that many families face and also provide the means for Notre Dame to continue doing in the future what it does so well today. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. After getting certified to fly Dassault Falcon, Cessna Citation and Gulfstream jets, Kenn found work as a pilot. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Like he was starving, says Ricci. Mr. Ricci had previously given to the university, including $5 million for the marching band and recreational sports, but it was his decades-long involvement as a Notre Dame alumnus and his close friendship with the university president and fellow 1978 graduate John Jenkins that reassured him the complicated gift of his companys assets would be handled well. The S-76 has the same juniper paint color as the owner . His love of aviation had him founding, acquiring or financing a broad range of aviation companies and ideas over his career. When Mr. Riccis youngest son was 6, he first said he wanted to give to Disney because he loved the movies; the couple then explained that wasnt what charity meant, and he eventually drafted a new concept. [4], Over time, Ricci expanded Corporate Wings into a diversified service-oriented transportation firm that provided other aviation support services, including aircraft maintenance, fueling and storage, and other aspects of aircraft operations. In 1981, he acquired Corporate Wings, an aircraft management and charter operation company, and a few years later began acquiring fixed-based operations (FBOs), thus expanding the companys business beyond Cleveland. Walls of glass, a libraryand a negative edge pool are among the luxurious features in some of theweekly priciest home sales in metroPhoenix. The company said the acquisition furthers its global reach and technology-driven approach to selling private jet charter flights. At the time of the announcement Ricci explained Zanite choose to align with Eve because of its simplistic design, Embraers track record of bringing new aircraft through certification to market, an already installed global support network and a presence in markets outside the U.S., that are positioned to be early adopters for urban air mobility UAM. While that could spell disaster for most small charities, its less of a burden for a large nonprofit like a university, she said. A mathematically gifted student, Kenn decided he wanted to become an accountant and enrolled at the University of Notre Dame to help make this happen. Through his close involvement over the decades, he has also learned how few unrestricted dollars the university has at its disposal. They intend to leverage the extensive infrastructure and assets available within the OneSky family of brands, which also includes Sentient Jet and Flexjet. Also during 2014, Flexjet prepared to exit the charter market. In 2015, Kenn received the Aviation Week Laureate Award, a benchmark of industry excellence, recognizing his work and development at Nextant Aerospace. He is a 28-year aviation veteran and among the industry's most dynamic leaders. Kenneth C. "Kenn" Ricci is an American aviation entrepreneur, the principal of Directional Aviation Capital, which owns or invests in various aviation enterprises including Flight Options and Flexjet, which he also serves as chairman. He would later (1986) get a law degree from Cleveland Marshall School of Law. Kenn Ricci's Life Path Number is 6, The Life Path Number 6 is associated with a lot of love, affection, care, and humility. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Insiders trading at Zanite Acquisition. He is an operating partner at Resilience Capital Partners,[1] a private equity firm with a wide variety of portfolio companies, including an investment in Flight Options,[2] and has helped found or lead other companies, including Nextant Aerospace and Constant Aviation. His father worked for the Treasury Departments intelligence division, and his mother was a homemaker. In September 2018, Directional Aviation announced it had acquired charter broker PrivateFly and would house it within OneSky LLC, which includes Flexjet, SentientJet, and Skyjet. He is an airline transport pilot with extensive International experience and was Governor William Clintons pilot when he ran for President in 1992. The G650 has also been one of Gulfstream's most popular models, with more than 500 G650s either ordered or delivered through this month. It is a Platform where Influencers can meet up, Collaborate, Get Collaboration opportunities from Brands, and discuss common interests. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Copyright 2023 University of Notre Dame | Mendoza College of Business Notre Dame, IN 46556. [27], Ricci also has founded or been involved with the management of several other companies, including Nextant Aerospace, which he serves as chief executive officer. He was anAir Force ROTC cadet at Notre Dame. Kenn founded Corporate Wings, an aircraft management, charter and fixed-base operation in 1980. It raised about half a million dollars for the foundation. He then defers credit for his role in the evenings success, ascribing it instead to Austin, whos speech that night brought attendees to their feet. The residence comes with an executive-style home office and dual guest apartments. Family is everything to Kenn Ricci, a dynamic philanthropist with a lifelong passion for championing the causes of underdogs. [5] In December 2001, the company combined operations with Raytheon Travel Air, a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, doubling the company's size. 1978 grad Kenneth Ricci commits $100 million to Notre Dame in university's biggest unrestricted gift. Once javascript and access to those URLs are allowed, please refresh this page. He started his foundation, now worth $1.1 million in assets, 10 years ago. The specially equipped Sky Arrow L600 is the ideal aircraft for teaching those with disabilities how to fly as it can be flown without pedals and with hands only. [1][36][37], In 2017, Ricci donated $100 million to Notre Dame, the largest unrestricted gift in the university's history, using a Philanthropic Succession Partnership, a giving mechanism he pioneered. The estate was designed by Arizona architect Lash McDaniel and features a custom eagle designed bronze electronic gate, polished marble flooring and walls of glass throughout the home that offer spectacular views of the Valley. By joining Directional Aviations OneSky portfolio, we are joining forces with a much bigger aviation group, with the ability to offerour customers, partners and operators more opportunities and the benefits of our increased buying power.. Hes an astute businessman, entrepreneur in the aviation industry and experienced pilot. Its makes us feel really good to have dinner with a fundraiser and hear about their love for what they do and their passion for their charity.. In 1974 he enrolled in the University of Notre Dame and enlisted in its Air Force ROTC program. He says he and his family tend to give to causes that have touched their lives. To have unrestricted money that goes to the mission of the university, not my mission of Italian aviators from Ohio, is tremendously important and we wanted to highlight that.. The Evolution Of An Industry Leader. He is one of the most respected names in the industry, having received theLiving Legends of Aviation Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award. He is one of the most respected names in the industry, having received theLiving Legends of Aviation Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award. In 2019, was inducted as a Living Legend of Aviation. The broker will utilize 17 Bombardier aircraft coming off fractional contracts. In 2010, Kenn received the Harvard Business Schools Dively Entrepreneurship Award. John and Cynthia McCaffrey paid cash through a trust for a two-story estate with stunning views in Scottsdales Desert Mountain community. No information on this website should be constructed as a solicitation, offer, recommendation, representation of suitability or endorsement of any security or investment. In October of 2017, Ricci and his wife announced a $100 million dollar unrestricted gift to Kenns alma mater, The University of Notre Dame, via a giving and business succession model he developed called a Philanthropic Succession Partnership. Kenneth Ricci is a 40-year aviation industry veteran who today is a Principal of Directional Aviation Capital which owns various aviation enterprises including Flexjet, Sentient Jet, PrivateFly, Tuvoli, Nextant Aerospace, Stonebriar Commercial Finance, Reva Air Ambulance, Corporate Wings, Simcom and Constant Aviation. Start with making them [potential donors] feel like there is zero expectation to give, says Mr. Ricci. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. [16] In total, Flexjet has confirmed orders for 207 new planes with options that could total up to 445 aircraft. His wife Pamela, daughter Elizabeth, sons Kennedy and Austin and his mother Mary support him in his journey. Mr. Ricci says the couple had previously given $15 million to Notre Dame and to other nonprofits. Over the last 2 years, insiders at Zanite Acquisition have traded over $2,710,326 worth of Zanite Acquisition stock. The Riccis commitment to provide unrestricted funds to the University gives Notre Dames leadership the flexibility to devote attention to its areas of greatest need at the time. [citation needed], Like other companies in the private jet market, Flight Options saw its business diminish during the recession of 2008. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. In 2014, the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation honored Ricci for championing research and treatment of the disease, which today affects 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. Mr. Riccis youngest child, Austin, has cystic fibrosis. There were only two gifts of $100 million or more to universities last year, down from eight . [43], In 2017, Ricci was named a recipient of the Living Legends of Aviation Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award. In 2003, Directional Aviation Capital was established, which today has 2,200 employees, more than US$1.5 billion in annual revenue and operations in over 70 countries. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. But for now, Austin, 12, swims, skis, plays basketball and is as avid a Notre Dame football fan as his dad. Ricci also announced substantial investments in Flexjet's fleet during 2013, placing orders with Bombardier that, with options, could total $5.6 billion in new aircraft. With a strong foothold in the US, Skyjet offers one of the most highly downloadedprivate jet bookingapps. Like so many others before and after him, Kenn had been bitten by the aviation bug whilst a ROTC cadet and decided to change his career plans. [17], In November 2015, Flexjet announced that it had placed an order valued at $2.4 billion for 20 Aerion AS2 supersonic jets, with delivery to begin in 2023. It does not store any personal data. He grew up an only child in a suburb of Cleveland. In 2011, Kenn was the youngest recipient of the prestigious William A. This site is for informational purposes only and is intended for potential portfolio companies and not investors. And in 1980, the economy wasnt doing too well and a young Kenn Ricci found himself laid off. Kenneth C. Ricci. Kenneth C. Ricci, known as "Kenn" to his friends, was born on September 3 1956 and grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. The second best result is Kenneth Edward Ricci age 80+ in Ottawa, IL. He could live with that his whole life. Ultimately, its the decline in lung function caused by chronic infection that is most worrisome. Encanta Homes, Inc, an Arizona corporation, sold the house. "I am deeply honored that the Living Legends . In 2018, the award was renamed the Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award and presented to Robert T. Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Aerospace. The Notre Dame commitment is another example of Mr. Riccis determination to put his money behind organizations he has gotten to know. Kenn graduated from the University of Notre Dame and recently announced the first ever $100 million gift to the University. A synthetic enzyme that he takes before every meal keeps that problem in check now. Businessman Fred S. Shaulis used a trust to sellhis 9,000-square foot mansion on Mummy Mountain in Paradise Valley. [3] The firm was named to the Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing companies. Under the agreement, the children can choose to buy any of the businesses from Notre Dame (which will own 40 percent.). Both companies have individual strengths, so we are working carefully on a strategy to combine the best of both, continues Twidell. Kenn serves on the Business Advisory Council of his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), is on the Board of Trustees of University Hospitals, the Arizona Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Gilmour Academy. Boost. Following the advice of Use your time in college to find your passion given to him by his father, as well as help him pay his tuition, Kenn got involved with the US Air Forces Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and learned to fly. Initially Skyjet and PrivateFly will continue under their existing brand names and identities. He made his first solo flight in 1977, earned his private and commercial pilot license and became a flight instructor, graduating from Notre Dame with an accounting degree. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". In 1998, he revolutionized fractional aircraft ownership when he founded Flight Options. A Family That Doesn't Shy Away From Big, Complex Gifts. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The property, known as Eagles Nest, sits on approximately seven acres and was completed in 2000 after a five-year preparation and construction process. In 2016, Kenn then received the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award from the Living Legends of Aviation.

David Bromstad Brother, Articles K