Rich Ropp Joins Priester Aviation as President

In Priester Aviation’s more than 75 years of operation, the company has served private aviation clients with an industry-leading level of experience and personal attention. To continue that commitment and to help grow Priester’s reach and range of services, the company announces the hiring of Rich Ropp as President.

Ropp, a 30-year veteran of aircraft management and aviation sales, comes to Priester with the experience of opening the base location in his native St. Louis for Jet Linx Aviation. In addition to serving as the company’s Base President of St. Louis, he was responsible for leading its growth as Vice President of Business Development and Aircraft Management Sales.

Ropp takes over the role of President most recently held by Andy Priester before his ascension to the Chairman position in late 2021. Andy Priester is the third generation to lead the company founded in 1945 by his grandfather, George.

In addition to his tenure at Jet Linx Aviation, Ropp served as National Sales Director at Jet Aviation, where he was the single point of contact for major clients and flight departments to the global platform of services. His experience includes driving aircraft management and jet card membership, as well as developing and executing strategic plans, and building up teams.

Priester Aviation, headquartered in Chicago, serves clients in the United States and globally from operating bases throughout the world. In late 2021, it added five new aircraft to its fleet of world-class aircraft to meet growing demand for owner and charter use. It works with partners throughout the country, including JSSI Parts & Leasing, with whom it launched a parts-procurement program for aircraft owners in 2021.