SAN CARLOS, Calif., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Business aviation leader XOJET announced that Benjamin Murray, former EVP of NetJets, Inc., and CEO of Executive Jet Management has joined as president. Mr. Murray will assume responsibilities for XOJET's global business effective immediately, and will initially be focused on revenue and business development initiatives with a goal of continuing to expand XOJET's market share growth.
"We are thrilled to have an executive of Ben's caliber and talent joining XOJET," said CEO Blair LaCorte. "With Ben's depth of knowledge about the industry, along with his past measurable successes, we are in a great position to continue our tremendous growth, which includes growing our membership program, adding new aircraft to our fleet and making upgrades to our already outstanding service that is unique to XOJET."
Adds Murray: "I am excited to be joining XOJET, as I firmly believe they are the future of private aviation transportation solutions. Through their unique hybrid business model that combines on-demand charter along with membership programs, they have set a new standard for the private aviation industry. I look forward to leading the XOJET team through further innovations while helping expand market share, and maintaining their uncompromised attention to safety and customer service."
"Ben is joining XOJET at an exciting time, as we announced a new round of expansion capital from TPG and Aabar in November of 2009 and are in the process of receiving the first of our 2010 new planes in March," adds Blair LaCorte. "We are enjoying record performance and are in a terrific position for continued growth."
Benjamin Murray has held many senior positions within NetJets, Inc. over the last decade, and was most recently promoted to the Executive Vice President of NetJets, Inc. where he led business development, fractional sales, marketing and global aircraft fleet purchasing and planning. Prior to this position, Murray was appointed as the President and CEO of Executive Jet Management, the wholly owned subsidiary company of NetJets, that included aircraft management services, maintenance operations and on-demand air charter services.
Murray has more than 12 years of leadership experience guiding corporate flight departments for top-tier companies and high net worth individuals. Offering a rare blend of entrepreneurial and operational strengths, Murray has achieved an exciting company turnaround during his tenure at Executive Jet Management and is recognized within the private aviation industry for his success in growing sales and profits. Murray's exceptional track record of business improvement is based on his philosophy of total enterprise engagement in change. He is known for his ability to quickly identify and diagnose sales and growth impediments and has been able to refine the company's organizational structure, product lines, operational sourcing, sales as well as market position.
Prior to beginning his aviation career, Murray was an accomplished athlete having earned a Gold Medal as a Centerfielder for the USA Olympic Festival baseball team and was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.
"With the addition of Ben, we truly have an all-star executive team," said David Siegel, Chairman of the XOJET Board of Directors. "We now have the platform to continue to grow the company, and I look forward to working with the team on a strategic level as the Chairman of the XOJET Board of Directors."
Founded in 2006, XOJET has quickly become one of the world's fastest growing private aviation companies, built on a unique business model that combines private jet ownership, membership and charter travel and a singular focus on providing the highest level of customer service at every point of the client's experience. Among its clients, XOJET is known for brand new jets, unmatched economics, stringent safety practices, exceptional service and a 99.5 percent on-time departure rate. XOJET is backed by TPG, a leading global private investment firm with over $45 billion of capital under management.
XOJET's award-winning, in-house safety and maintenance program rivals the world's best commercial airlines, and has earned the highest ranking in four key categories - more than any other operator - from Aviation Research Group. XOJET has also been named a Robb Report "Best of Private Aviation" winner and one of Inc. Magazine's fastest growing companies. For more information, visit www.xojet.com or call 888-759-6538.
