Libsyn Directory

Integrating Jet Management and Maintenance at Davinci Jets with Eric Legvold and Trey Darr - EP.261

Think Like an Owner

Release Date: 03/04/2025

Richard Emery - Building Private Jet Sales Teams [Replay]

Think Like an Owner

Alex (@Aebridgeman) is joined by Richard Emery (@Richardemery2).

Evolving Dynamics of Engine Programs with Delray Dobbins - EP.268

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Delray Dobbins, Director of Sales at Engine Assurance Program (EAP), to dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential components of business aviation: jet engine maintenance programs. With a career spanning Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and now EAP, Delray brings a deep and practical perspective on the engine lifecycle—and what operators need to understand to avoid million-dollar surprises.

Governance and Family Harmony in Business (From EP.267)

Think Like an Owner

Watch the full episode with Dave Whorton here - https://youtu.be/KPcgK3lm-mw

Building Evergreen Companies with Dave Whorton - EP.267

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Dave Whorton, founder of Tugboat Institute and author of Another Way, to explore a different path for entrepreneurs—one built on permanence, purpose, and long-term thinking. After an early career in venture capital and tech startups, Dave walked away from the high-growth, high-exit model to focus on what he calls “Evergreen companies.”

Henry Schuck - Creating Ambitious Teams at ZoomInfo - EP.266 [Replay]

Think Like an Owner

My guest today is Henry Schuck, founder and CEO at ZoomInfo, one of the most successful data businesses in recent times with a market cap today around $12B. I’ve been looking forward to this podcast for a long time because Henry has proven to be an effective founder, acquirer, and public CEO capital allocator, which is a rare combination of skills to find in a single CEO. He’s thought very deeply about building high performing organizations, sales functions, and how his own role needs to evolve as the c

How Flying in America Lost it's "shine"

Think Like an Owner

From Episode 265 with Erika Armstrong. Watch the full video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Nc2vgTLhbYA

A Tour of Aviation Safety with Erika Armstrong - EP.265

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Erika Armstrong, a pilot, author, and aviation expert whose career has taken her from corporate jets to major airlines to the university classroom. Erika shares stories from her early days in aviation, from sleeping on crash pads with seven other pilots to flying charter flights into some of the most challenging airports in the country.

AI Breakthroughs in the Distribution Sector (From Ep.264)

Think Like an Owner

Watch the full episode here - https://youtu.be/GTxWeRXap9Q

Katie Poehling Seymour - Inside a 5th Generation Distribution Giant - EP.264

Think Like an Owner

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Kathryn Poehling Seymour, President and CEO of First Supply, a fifth-generation, family-owned distribution business with over 700 employees and 53 locations across the Midwest. We cover everything from leading a 128-year-old company through generational transition to building one of the largest distribution centers in company history.

Hill Hamrick on Relentless Prioritization (From Episode 263)

Think Like an Owner

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/UTNl0xeSgZY

More Episodes

In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Eric Legvold and Trey Darr of Davinci Jets to explore the business of private aviation management and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services. We dive into how Davinci Jets was built from the ground up, the evolution of private jet management, and why the company has remained profitable every year since its founding.

Eric shares how the company pivoted from its original single-seat charter concept to full-service aircraft management, bootstrapping the business while maintaining a lean and disciplined approach to growth. Trey brings insights from his experience in aircraft maintenance and explains how Davinci is balancing fleet management with third-party MRO services, ensuring efficiency while expanding their customer base.

We also discuss:

Why more Fortune 500 companies are turning to third-party flight management
How vertical integration in aviation can reduce costs and increase control
The challenges of hiring and scaling in the MRO industry
How Davinci has stayed profitable in an industry where many companies struggle

If you’re interested in private aviation, business strategy, or the complexities of running a capital-intensive operation, this episode is full of insights from two experienced operators navigating an evolving industry.

Listen weekly and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Breaker, and TuneIn.

Learn more about Alex and Think Like an Owner at https://tlaopodcast.com/

Links:

Davinci Jets

Trey Darr on LinkedIn

Eric Legvold on LinkedIn

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:03:58) - Starting Davinci Jets

(00:09:09) - Growth constraints

(00:11:44) - Ventures before Davinci

(00:13:46) - The upside to MRO

(00:17:31) - Prioritizing your own fleet vs. external customers

(00:18:28) - Growth plans

(00:20:56) - MRO & Management compliments

(00:22;59) - What do you do differently to maintain profitability?

(00:27:16) - The Charlotte market

(00:29:22) - MRO Growth

(00:31:46) - Process improvements

(00:33:30) - Market growth

(00:40:29) - The slowdown in Jet Cards

(00:43:35) - What are you most excited about in the industry?

TOPICS