Signature Flight Support Appoints New Chief Operating Officer

May 3, 2010
Signature Flight Support Corporation today announces the appointment of Maria Sastre as Chief Operating Officer for its global operations.
May 3, 2010 | Geneva, Switzerland

May 3, 2010 | Geneva, Switzerland - Signature Flight Support Corporation today announces the appointment of Maria Sastre as Chief Operating Officer for its global operations. Ms. Sastre will be responsible for the daily operations of Signature’s worldwide network of fixed base operations (FBOs). She will be based at Signature’s global headquarters in Orlando, Florida and will report to S. Michael Scheeringa, President, Signature Flight Support.

Ms. Sastre joins Signature from the non-profit organization Take Stock in Children where she served as President and CEO. Prior to leading the non-profit, Ms. Sastre served with Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD where she held the positions of Vice President, International, Latin America, Caribbean and Asia and Vice President of Operations during her eight year tenure. Her roles included strategic growth across emerging markets as well as managing all aspects of operations and the guest experience onboard Royal Caribbean’s fleet of vessels.

Previously, Ms. Sastre served as Vice President of Worldwide Customer Satisfaction for United Airlines where she led the newly created customer satisfaction division that was charged with refining the customer service experience. Her responsibilities during her tenure at United Airlines also included strategy development, airport operations, international call centers and financial management. She began her career at Eastern Airlines and Continental Airlines.

Commenting on Ms. Sastre’s appointment, S. Michael Scheeringa stated, “I am extremely pleased to welcome Ms. Sastre to Signature Flight Support. Her extensive knowledge of delivering true customer-centric service will help to strengthen Signature’s focus on delivering world-class service at all of our locations. With her extensive experience in aviation and hospitality, she is the perfect fit for Signature Flight Support and I look forward to her contributions to our company.”

Ms. Sastre commented, “I am delighted to be joining Signature Flight Support, the world’s largest FBO network and flight support provider for business and private aviation. I am looking forward to continuing Signature’s development of its market-leading customer service standards. At Signature it’s not just about being the biggest, it’s about providing highly personalized and flawlessly-executed service to all customers at every location and I am excited to become part of that effort.”

Ms. Sastre serves on the boards of directors for Publix Supermarkets and Darden Restaurants and serves on the audit committees of both. She has been recognized as one of the Top 80 U.S. Hispanics, Top 20 Latinas and has received numerous awards in the travel and hospitality industry sectors. She was named as one of South Florida CEO magazine’s Top Power Influencers in 2007. Ms. Sastre’s education includes both a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration, both from New York Institute of Technology.

Signature Flight Support Corporation, a BBA Aviation plc company, is the world's largest fixed-base operation (FBO) and distribution network for business aviation services. Signature services include fueling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling and a wide range of crew and passenger amenities at strategic domestic and international locations. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Signature currently operates at more than (100) locations in the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit: www.signatureflight.com.BBA Aviation plc is a leading global aviation support and aftermarket services provider with market leading businesses and attractive growth opportunities. BBA Aviation’s Flight Support businesses (Signature Flight Support, ASIG and Executive Beechcraft) are focused on refuelling and ground handling of business and commercial aviation aircraft. Its Aftermarket Services and Systems businesses (Ontic, International Governor Services, APPH, Dallas Airmotive, Premier Turbines, H&S Aviation, International Turbine Service and Barrett Turbine Engine Company) are focused on the repair and overhaul of jet engines and the design, manufacture and services of aerospace sub-systems and components. For more information, please visit www.bbaaviation.com.