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ATLANTA, May 30, 2023 – OGARAJETS co-founder and a leader
of the business aircraft resale industry John Foster III was presented with
the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Aircraft Dealers
Association (IADA). The award was in recognition for Foster’s 50 years in
aviation sales while serving as a model of professional standards for the
entire industry.
Over 30 years ago, Foster
was a founding member of the National Aircraft Resale Association, IADA's
predecessor organization. The association’s Lifetime Achievement Award was
presented to Foster at IADA’s annual spring meeting attended by more than
300 of his peers from throughout the global industry.
John Foster's Mantra: Do
the Right Thing, Always.
“John Foster
is an icon who is trusted, admired and emulated throughout the
entire business aircraft resale industry,” said IADA Executive
Director Wayne Starling, who presented Foster with the award. “A decorated
Navy pilot, he successfully transitioned to general aviation and became a
truly respected, very successful and well-known entrepreneur in private
aviation. John Foster’s mantra has always been, ‘Do the right thing,
always,’” added Starling. Foster remains active at OGARAJETS, which he
co-founded and is now headed by his son Johnny Foster. The Lifetime
Achievement Award recognizes John Foster's exemplary embodiment of IADA's
purpose and mission throughout his career. Foster is also a founding
member, and past president, of the National Aircraft Resale Association
(NARA). Foster’s
resale industry business practices have helped to influence and shape the
entire aircraft transaction industry. Foster and IADA's shared mission is
to be the acknowledged leader in developing standards for efficient,
effective and ethical business aircraft transactions, valued by highly
skilled aircraft transaction professionals. John, his wife Linda and family, have lived
in Atlanta since 1973. The family is involved in their church and
community, and have always been drawn to hiking, skiing, tennis and outdoor
activities.
Legacy of Service
Following
his service in the Vietnam War, decorated Navy carrier fighter pilot John
Foster III moved from the military to join the general aviation community
in 1973. He initially worked at Atlantic Aviation and Rockwell aircraft
sales, and later became a leading sales representative at Beechcraft. In
1980, John and his squadron-mate and close friend, Ed O’Gara, founded
O’Gara Aviation Company. The company enjoyed steady growth over the
decades. Today, the OGARAJETS team provides a full range of aircraft
brokerage, private jet acquisitions, management, leasing and operational
services for its growing list of clients in the U.S. and around the globe.
The company has formed longstanding relationships with key personnel at major
manufacturers including Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Cessna,
Embraer, and Hawker Beech. In addition, the OGARA team formed business
relationships with general aviation’s most prominent lenders, legal
experts, maintenance facilities and aircraft refurbishment providers. The
team has also provided leadership within the pre-owned jet broker/dealer
community. As an
inventorying dealer for corporate jets—not merely a broker—OGARAJETS has an
ownership perspective that benefits its clients. OGARAJETS is able to
expertly evaluate operational and performance issues and provide insight on
the true, total cost of aircraft ownership. OGARAJETS also has the
financial strength to purchase trade-in aircraft—often a key factor in
facilitating a transaction.
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