Sep 21

Sep 21 flyExclusive continues to grow with new Chief Operating Officer Col. Donn Yates

Col. Donn Yates, 4th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a photo at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, June 26, 2020. Yates performed his final flight as 4th Fighter Wing commander before relinquishing command to Col. Kurt Helphinstine. (… — Col. Donn Yates, 4th Fighter Wing commander, poses for a photo at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, June 26, 2020. Yates performed his final flight as 4th Fighter Wing commander before relinquishing command to Col. Kurt Helphinstine. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Derry)

Kinston-based flyExclusive, a leading provider of premium private jet charter travel, recently announced that it is expanding its leadership team with the addition of Col. Donn Yates to the role of Chief Operating Officer.

“We are growing significantly at flyExclusive,” said flyExclusive Vice President Allen Thomas. “As we become one of the larger private jet charter companies in North America the level of skillset that Donn Yates and his team brings is unparalleled in this industry.”

With 28 years in the United States Air Force, Yates held the command of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base with a wealth of combat experience and more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15 aircraft.

“Everything I’ve learned in the Air Force for the last 25 years really helped me prepare for an experience like this,” said Yates. “I have a solid base of experience of leadership in complex environments.”

flyExclusive’s headquarters are in Kinston and continues to grow with an influx of first-time clients. They have around 330 employees and have a fleet of over 60 planes.

“We want to be a great place to work where people go ‘that’s a great place and I want to be there’,” said Yates. “Throughout the entire COVID process flyExclusive didn’t lay anyone off.”

As the company grows and develops ties throughout eastern North Carolina, it hopes to serve as a reminder that even during a pandemic there is hope for economic growth.

“As a message to Kinston and the rest of North Carolina, if there’s a beacon of hope, you look at a company like flyExclusive we’ve got growth, were partnering as a partner with the Global Transpark, we didn’t lay off anyone, we’re continuing to grow and everyone believes in what we’re doing it,” said Yates.

Yates loves to teach and hopes his extensive experience will allow him to share his skillset with others.

“We’re excited for what it means for this company and for Kinston and for eastern North Carolina and as we continue to bring great opportunities here to bring our region on the map,” said Thomas.