One of the main reasons KKC has been successful is our ability to attract some of the finest talent available in the field of commercial aviation. We continue to grow and add individuals who share our philosophy and are interested in participating in the evolution of a non-traditional aviation consulting firm.

Stuart A. Klaskin
saklaskin@kkc-co.com

Stuart Klaskin’s nineteen year aviation career has included operational and executive management positions within air carrier, corporate aviation, aviation sales, and consulting organizations. He has been instrumental in the development and implementation of capital funding, start-up, strategic, operational, turnaround and bankruptcy workout plans for numerous aviation entities, including FAR Part 121 and 135 air carriers.

Prior to forming Klaskin, Kushner & Company, Stuart was a pilot for a Fortune 100 corporate flight department, and served as Assistant Chief Pilot for F&F Charters, an operator of fixed and rotary-winged aircraft. He later was Director of Operations for Tropic Aviation, an aircraft sales and leasing firm where he directed the initial certification of that company’s air charter operation. He also served as a senior analyst for Avmark Services, Ltd., an international aviation consulting company.

He is a nationally recognized aviation commentator to various news media, including Gannett News Service, Dow Jones, Knight-Ridder, and Reuters. He has also served as a commentator for ABC News, Cable News Network-Headline News and National Public Radio on matters concerning commercial aviation. Stuart holds a commercial pilot’s license with a type rating in the British Aerospace BAe-125 series jet and has more than 6,000 hours of flight experience.

Arthur M. Kushner
amkushner@kkc-co.com

Arthur Kushner has more than twenty years of experience in the aviation and financial services industries. His career has included positions with the international accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney in their Miami office and various financial management positions with Southeast Bank, N.A., a $15 billion commercial bank headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Prior to forming Klaskin, Kushner & Company, Arthur was a longtime aviation industry observer with experience in aircraft sales and aviation business consulting. His background also includes diversified management consulting experience in the areas of capital sourcing, strategic planning, client development, financial analysis and reporting, securities compliance, and operational and financial planning for entities in the aviation, transportation, broadcasting, health care, and leisure industries.

Arthur has served as a commentator on airline financial matters and business strategies to NBC Television News and its Miami broadcast affiliate, WTVJ, ABC’s affiliate WPLG, CNN Cable News Network and Fox News. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Florida in Gainesville, is a Certified Public Accountant and active private pilot.

Arnaldo Deleo

Arnie Deleo’s aviation career has spanned more than thirty years and has included executive and management positions in both airline operations and governmental aviation development, including over nine years in the specialized field of airline service development on behalf of local governments. From 1970 to 1990, he served in numerous positions with Eastern Air Lines in that company's Caribbean and Latin American divisions, including eight years as Regional Director – Caribbean. During that time, he was directly responsible for managing Eastern's development of a major hub in San Juan, Puerto Rico including extensive facility development in various countries in the region, route planning and pricing and the development of a multinational marketing and branding strategy.

Following his career with Eastern, Arnie was President and Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle, a regional airline based in St. Thomas, USVI with scheduled services throughout the region. From 1992 to 1996, he served as the Manager of Aviation Development for the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO), a Puerto Rican government corporation. In that role, he was responsible for the creation and implementation of all governmental programs designed to encourage the development of commercial aviation in Puerto Rico. From 1997 to 2000, Arnie was Director of the Puerto Rican Tourism Company's Open Skies Task Force, a cooperative effort between the Puerto Rican Governor's office and private entities that was formed to recruit new airline service to San Juan as well as encourage the development of aviation-related businesses in Puerto Rico. In this role, he was instrumental in the development of governmental and private marketing and incentive programs which resulted in the initiation of service from four airlines which had previously not served Puerto Rico, and increased service from several other airlines, as well as the development of a major airline’s hub operation in San Juan. He holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management from the University of Miami.

Charles “Chuck” Giurtino

Chuck Giurtino’s more than 35 years of aviation experience began at Eastern Airlines. During his 21 year career with that company, he held titles including Foreman - Contract Maintenance; Manager - Component Shops; Director - Line Maintenance, and Director - Technical Services. His career at Eastern culminated as System Director - Line Maintenance for North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Chuck then became one of the founders of Miami Air International, a leading passenger charter carrier that grew to employ 475 people operating twelve Boeing 737-800 and 727 aircraft. As Vice President of Maintenance, he directed the start up of all facets of the Maintenance Department which included creation of all Maintenance Manuals, Purchasing and Inventory management systems, and Inspection and Aircraft Records Departments. He was an integral part of the team that achieved initial certification for Miami Air as an FAR Part 121 Supplemental Air Carrier and later a 121 Flag Air Carrier with long range and remote navigation approval. This same team secured U.S. Department of Defense contract approval one year after F.A.A. certification. He later served as Vice President of Special Projects for Miami Air, in which capacity he was responsible for acquisitions and sales of new and pre-owned aircraft and handled all aircraft damage claims, negotiating with both insurance companies and principals.

Chuck holds the following Airman Certificates with over 7,000 hours of flight time: Commercial, Instrument, Multi-engine, Flight Engineer, Turbojet (B727), as well as Airframe and Power plant Mechanic. He is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Operations Management.

James Laria

Jim Laria’s forty-one year career in the aviation industry includes experience in both the private and public sectors. He most recently was with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority where he led the Orlando International Airport’s air carrier development and marketing efforts as Assistant Director of the authority. In that role, he focused on passenger and cargo airline route development between Central Florida and North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, business development of terminal and non-terminal properties, liaison with Federal authorities with respect to airport improvement funding, and the development and management of a Free Trade Zone.

Prior to his tenure in Orlando, Jim served as Director of Cargo Development at the Miami International Airport, and previously was Managing Director of Air Cargo for National Airlines, a major U.S. air carrier, from 1960 to 1980. He has also served as Adjunct Professor in the Aviation Management School at Miami-Dade Community College, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Aviation and Aerospace Alliance. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.