Luis Barros
Age: 32
Title: CEO/Founder
Horizon Air Group
- Alma Mater: Ohio State University
- What is your dream job? It is this one
- Who has impacted your career the most? My first mentor at Port Columbus, Shawn Wilkinson
- If I could go anywhere, it would be: The Maldives
- If I could have dinner with anyone living or dead: Nikola Tesla
- Favorite airport restaurant: Johnny Rocket’s at Port Columbus
Growing up outside Cincinnati, Luis Barros remembers how his love for aviation flourished. His parents would drive by Warren County Airport and Barros would watch the Cessna 172s taking off and landing. His step-father enrolled him in a youth program at the airport and during high school he was able to take part in an aviation program, assuring his foray into the industry.
“I really do believe that aviation is really unique,” Barros said. “With the nature of the unexpected, the ever changing, the stress levels are way higher than I’ve seen anywhere else and it’s hard to leave. It’s really like an addiction.”
Barros, has been involved in the aviation industry for more than 10 years. While earning a degree in aviation management, he worked at the Ohio State Airport (OSU), where he learned about the operational rigor and discipline needed for the industry.
Barros went on to dispatch for a large Part 135 operator for several years before taking on higher sales duties, where he quickly rose to become the top salesperson. He ventured into end-user sales.
After years of building his skills and wide variety of industry knowledge, Barros struck out on his own and founded the Horizon Air Group. The company allowed him to educate the public on the values of dedicated charter brokerage service.
The company has grown with Barros’ dedication to ensuring leading service and customer satisfaction. He keeps a positive attitude within the industry, with a focus on collaboration with various partners to optimize operations. Barros led Horizon Air Group to cultivate partnerships with FBOs across the U.S., to exchange mutually beneficial feedback to enhance operational safety.
Barros’ knowledge and commitment to push higher safety and ethical standards throughout the industry has grown Horizon Air Group into one of the largest and most successful in the nation while still focusing on maintaining high customer satisfaction.
