Justin Castagna C.M.
Age: 26
Operations and Project Manager
Aeroplex/Aerolease Group
- Alma Mater: St. Michaels College
- Something people may not know about me: I had no interest in aviation until I was 17
- Favorite book:
- Favorite TV show: Ray Donovan
- Favorite movie: Blackhawk Down
- Favorite hobby(s): Hockey, flying
While Justin Castagna was growing up, he was quite familiar with aviation.
His father was a pilot and owned a Cessna 210. Castagna would fly with him, but never really had any serious considerations about aviation.
His dad sold the plane. Two years after that, Castagna changed his mind and decided to get his license.
“I get to work with great people,” he said. “I get to work in an environment where I get to be around the aircraft each day. I do projects that help support the industry and the impact of the things that I get to do on the industry as a whole makes it rewarding.”
Castagna began working in the aviation field while taking his first flying lessons at 17 years old at Long Beach Airport (LGB). He was working on his private pilot certificate when he began working as a line service technician for Signature Flight Support.
He completed three different internships in airport operations at John Wayne Airport (SNA), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and Burlington International Airport (BTV). He went to become an airport operations officer for the Ventura County Department of Airports before eventually being named an operations and project manager for the Aeroplex/Aerolease Group.
Castagna is the project manager on the company’s new $7.5 million development at Van Nuys Airport (VNY). He also performs research and analysis for other small airports and has executed more than 50 office and hangar lease agreements at several airports.
He plays an instrumental role at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO), where he acts as property manager and leasing agent for a private office and hangar complex that AAG is managing under contract with the city of Santa Monica.
He currently serves on the mentor committee with the Southern California Aviation Association (SCAA), promoting business aviation to students and the industry's next generation of leaders.
