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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Movers and Shakers: Todd Rome, Founder and CEO of Blue Star Jets


As one of the world’s largest private aircraft charter broker, Blue Star Jets offers an unparalleled level of personalized service. As their motto states, ANY JET, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE™, Blue Star Jets grants clients freedom from the financial constraints of fractional jet ownership; the savings of paying only for trips taken; and the flexibility to choose the best aircraft according to a trip’s specific budget requirement.

As an idea which arose from business executives, Mr. Todd Rome and Mr. Ricky Sitomer, frustrated with the lack of service and high costs of flying privately, Blue Star Jets has revolutionized the private aviation charter business through centralization of a fractured marketplace. By creating a network of charter companies, Blue Star Jets has access to over 4,000 aircraft worldwide, ranging from helicopters to Boeing business jets.

The Blue Star Jets’ broker relationship sets it apart from its competitors. Blue Star Jets does not manage or operate aircraft on behalf of their clients; however, the company assists clientele in finding the best operators for any aircraft. Its staff of aviation specialists solicits competitive bids on each flight request, passing the savings to their clients. Blue Star Jets’ aviation specialists are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Operators providing service for Blue Star Jets’ clients must meet the most stringent of standards set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); additionally, Blue Star Jets offers aircraft that have been independently audited for safety, as well as their respective safety reports, to clients.

Since 2005, the New York-based Luxury Institute has named Blue Star Jets the “Most Prestigious Private Jet Services Brands.”

In April 2001, Mr. Todd Rome founded Blue Star Jets due to the inefficiencies in the private jet marketplace. While at Blue Star Jets, Mr. Rome has been the safety and security expert on CNN post-9/11, and has made numerous appearances on CNBC and FOX, in addition to a number of other cable networks. Prior to Blue Star Jets, Mr. Rome ran a successful broker-dealer on Wall Street in New York City. Mr. Rome is also Co-Chair of the Diabetes Research Institute. When not traveling or working, Mr. Rome enjoys spending time with his wife and children in the Hamptons. We are pleased to present him as our latest Mover and Shaker.

Peachy Deegan interviewed Todd Rome for Whom You Know.

Peachy Deegan: What age were you when you first flew?
Todd Rome: 21

Tell us about the experience please.
I flew on a gulfstream with friends and fell in love with it. My next trip was a Lear to Montreal for dinner and back.

What is being in the aviation industry like compared to working on Wall Street?
It is a lot slower.

How did you become the safety expert on CNN?
I've studied the market for years- stood on the assembly line of the factories and met with the heads of the manufacturers. Through this, I explored how to make it as safe as possible.

What do you believe makes Blue Star Jets different from the rest of the market? It's the least expensive private jet provider, yet it has access to the most aircraft and it has the highest standard of safety in the industry.

How do you choose your staff and what criteria must they adhere to?
The staff must have a marketing background and must be estrmely driven. I want people who won’t stop until they are successful.

What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?
It is an accumulation of my friends, family, and mentors who have shaped me and my pursuit.

What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
Dinners with friends at Camponola or Scala Tella

What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?
The Button Shop

What is your favorite drink?
Latte

What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
Nobu

What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?
Go to central park and lay in Sheeps Meadow

What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
What a great place it is to raise a family.
I love everything about the city.

Other than Movers and Shakers, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and why?
Big Apple Business because I find it interesting to read about other businesses in the NY area.

What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
I am a proud father of four, I like to collect vintage cars. I like to work hard and play hard.

How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers? toddrome@bluestarjets.com


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