Sheltair’s chairman, CEO, owner and founder Gerald M. Holland was inducted into the Florida Aviation Business Association Entrepreneurial Excellence Hall of Fame on June 20.
The hall of fame honors those who make significant contributions to Florida’s bizav industry. The inductees have drawn on their professionalism and integrity to ensure the aviation industry will flourish, inspiring others to make aviation their passion. As the head of Sheltair, Holland has done just that.
It began in 1963 when Holland, after serving in the military, founded a Fort Lauderdale-based real estate development and construction firm: Holland Builders, Inc. The company enjoyed continued growth over the following 25 years. Under Holland’s leadership, the firm—and its subsequent subsidiary companies and related affiliates—moved into the aviation industry with the formation of Sheltair Aviation in 1988.
Beginning with the construction of two FBOs, Sheltair has grown to become one of the nation’s leading providers of aviation-related services with 17 award-winning FBOs along the Eastern U.S. Seaboard (11 in Florida), aviation property management and leasing, office and hangar construction, and more. Sheltair’s development projects across nearly 30 years of business have created numerous opportunities to—and a growing passion for—serving the general aviation market.
With these developments, Holland and Sheltair invest in the airport communities they serve. The FBOs attract general aviation customers who support the economic vitality of the airports and communities in which they preside. Holland and his team continue to expand these services into markets throughout the U.S. through leasing and development opportunities, as well as FBO acquisition.
Holland developed Sheltair into one of general aviation’s largest independently-owned businesses—a statement few can still use today. This spirit of independence drives the company to provide legendary services and customer care. The motto, “Diversified in services. Unified to serve,” is not just Sheltair’s slogan, but a real representation of the company’s brand and commitment to excellence.
Holland attributes Sheltair’s success to its people, understanding that it’s truly the people, not just the commodity, that makes the difference. For this reason, Sheltair strongly believes in the importance of providing educational opportunities to the people who support our industry. The company supports continued education and professional development opportunities with scholarships through the Experimental Aircraft Association and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“Human ingenuity has always been the catalyst for growth in the aviation industry,” said Holland, “and in today’s technology-driven world, this can only come from motivated, passionate and highly-skilled people.”
Holland remains active in the aviation business — headquartered in Fort Lauderdale — serving as a mentor to the leadership team at Sheltair and providing strategic direction for its growth initiatives.
