LEADERSHIP

MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Adi Bernstein

Executive Chairman (Co-Owner)

In 2006, co-founded America Aero Group with business partner David Alcalay 40 years of experience in the aerospace industry with experience in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEA In 2010 acquired a minority interest with David Alcalay in VAS Aero Services from Volvo. Board Director responsible for business development In 2015, Mr. Bernstein became majority co-owner of VAS Aero Services and Executive Chairman In 2022, Mr. Bernstein along with co-Owner, David Alcalay, sold VAS Aero Services to Satair, an Airbus Company

Yael Knapp

Chief Financial Officer

Joined America Aero Group in 2009 Over 25 years in the aviation industry including previous roles with Solair, The Fuel Cell, Patriot Aviation, Florida Aerospace Partnership and VAS Aero Services Manages high profile programs to ensure financial and contractual compliance Manages all financing/lender transactions and relationship Former Chief Commercial Officer of VAS Aero Services and Project Manager for VAS/Satair transaction 2022

Richard Bagdasarian

EVP, Strategy

Joined America Aero Group in 2019 Began his career in aerospace in 1978 as Production Engineer, Quality and Compliance to supplier to Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney Earned Juris Doctor degree from University of Akron School of Law in 1983 Over 40 years’ experience in aviation finance, contracts, risk management, business development, mergers & acquisitions, claims, and litigation Former VP, Strategy of VAS Aero Service and Lead Project Manager for VAS/Satair transaction in 2022

David Alcalay

Co-Owner

In 2006, co-founded America Aero Group with business partner Adi Bernstein 50 years of entrepreneurial experience with over $600M annual revenue in aerospace and agricultural businesses and over $2B in commercial real estate management, President of New England Four Corp In 2010 acquired a minority interest with Adi Bernstein in VAS Aero Services from Volvo In 2015, became majority co-owner of VAS Aero Services and President In 2022, Mr. Alcalay along with co-Owner, Adi Bernstein, sold VAS Aero Services to Satair, an Airbus Company

Adi Bernstein

Executive Chairman (Co-Owner)

Adi Bernstein, a professional aerospace executive with over 40 years of experience in trading, marketing & distribution. He led transformational changes in the Aircraft and Engines Rotable consumables component & MRO segment, including a significant number of Mergers & Acquisitions. Adi Bernstein was previously the Executive Chairman and equity owner of VAS Aero Services (VAS), formerly Volvo Aerospace and is the co-owner and Managing Partner at America Aero Group (AAG). Mr. Bernstein has been involved in numerous aircraft purchases, financing, and trading activities of over $1B. Mr. Bernstein has worked globally covering the Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEA. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hofstra and later NY University in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and business management. Read More Read Less

David Alcalay

Co-Owner

David Alcalay co-founded America Aero Group with business partner Adi Bernstein in 2006. Mr. Alcalay has 50 years of entrepreneurial experience with over $600M in annual revenue, resulting in EBITDA of $125M, in aerospace and agricultural businesses and over $4B in commercial real estate management, President of New England Four Corp. In 2010 he acquired a minority interest with Adi Bernstein in VAS Aero Services from Volvo. In 2015, he became the majority co-owner of VAS Aero Services and President. In 2022, Mr. Alcalay along with co-Owner, Adi Bernstein, sold VAS Aero Services to Satair, an Airbus Company. Read More Read Less

Richard Bagdasarian

EVP, Strategy

Richard Bagdasarian joined America Aero Group in 2019. Richard began his career in aerospace in 1978 as Production Engineer, Quality and Compliance to supplier to Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron School of Law in 1983. Mr. Bagdasarian has over 40 years of experience in aviation finance, contracts, risk management, business development, mergers & acquisitions, claims, and litigation. Mr. Bagdasarian is the former VP, Strategy of VAS Aero Service and was the Lead Project Manager for VAS/Satair transaction in 2022. Read More Read Less

Yael Knapp

Chief Financial Officer

Yael Knapp joined America Aero Group in 2009. Yael has over 25 years in the aviation industry including previous roles with Solair, The Fuel Cell, Patriot Aviation, Florida Aerospace Partnership, and VAS Aero Services. Yael manages high-profile programs to ensure financial and contractual compliance. She manages all financing/lender transactions and relationships. Yael is the Former Chief Commercial Officer of VAS Aero Services and was a Project Manager for VAS/Satair transaction in 2022. Read More Read Less

Adi Bernstein

In 2006, co-founded America Aero Group with business partner David Alcalay
40 years of experience in the aerospace industry with experience in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEA
In 2010 acquired a minority interest with David Alcalay in VAS Aero Services from Volvo. Board Director responsible for business development
In 2015, Mr. Bernstein became majority co-owner of VAS Aero Services and Executive Chairman
In 2022, Mr. Bernstein along with co-Owner, David Alcalay, sold VAS Aero Services to Satair, an Airbus Company

David Alcalay

In 2006, co-founded America Aero Group with business partner Adi Bernstein
50 years of entrepreneurial experience with over $600M annual revenue in aerospace and agricultural businesses and over $2B in commercial real estate management, President of New England Four Corp
In 2010 acquired a minority interest with Adi Bernstein in VAS Aero Services from Volvo
In 2015, became majority co-owner of VAS Aero Services and President
In 2022, Mr. Alcalay along with co-Owner, Adi Bernstein, sold VAS Aero Services to Satair, an Airbus Company

Yael Knapp

Joined America Aero Group in 2009
Over 25 years in the aviation industry including previous roles with Solair, The Fuel Cell, Patriot Aviation, Florida Aerospace Partnership and VAS Aero Services
Manages high profile programs to ensure financial and contractual compliance
Manages all financing/lender transactions and relationship
Former Chief Commercial Officer of VAS Aero Services and Project Manager for VAS/Satair transaction 2022

Richard Bagdasarian

Joined America Aero Group in 2019
Began his career in aerospace in 1978 as Production Engineer, Quality and Compliance to supplier to Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney
Earned Juris Doctor degree from University of Akron School of Law in 1983
Over 40 years’ experience in aviation finance, contracts, risk management, business development, mergers & acquisitions, claims, and litigation
Former VP, Strategy of VAS Aero Service and Lead Project Manager for VAS/Satair transaction in 2022