Experienced Leadership

Sentient's management team brings together a group of individuals with a wide range of backgrounds within the aviation and service industries. Their combined knowledge and expertise has provided Sentient with a management team that is second to none.

Kenneth Ricci, Chairman

Kenneth Ricci has spent over 30 years developing innovative services in the aviation industry. Beginning with the founding of Corporate Wings in 1980, Kenn led the success of many aviation entities including Flight Options, Mercury Air Centers, Inertial Airline Services and Nextant Aerospace. Today, Kenn is the principal of Directional Aviation Capital, a private investment firm whose vision and experience bring a unique understanding to financing and enhancing the value of business aviation assets.
 
Kenn has been honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of Year in 2000 and has been named one of the most influential people in aviation by Aviation International News. In 2010 Kenn received the Harvard Business School's Dively Entrepreneurship Award and recently was the youngest recipient of the prestigious William Ong Award for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry.
 
Kenn is a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and The Cleveland Marshall School of Law. He holds an airline transport pilot license with extensive international experience and was Governor William Clinton's pilot when he ran for President in 1992.

Michael Rossi, Chief Financial Officer

Mike Rossi began his aviation career at Corporate Wings in 1984 and has spent the last 25 years developing innovative business strategies within the industry. Mike also served as the President of Inertial Airline Services through 2001.
 
Today Mike is a principal in Directional Capital, which invests in and operates various segments of General Aviation: Charter, Management, Fractional, Aircraft Maintenance and FBO's.
 
Mike's other business interests include involvement with the accounting firm Rossi, Schlotter & Co., CPA which has assisted many businesses in the areas of planning and growth.
 
A graduate of John Carroll University, Mike is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Series 7 License.
 

Adam Hohulin, Vice President, Service Operations

In this role, Adam is responsible for the management of Sentient's Client Services, Flight Operations, Field Operations, Flight Safety and Flight Planning Teams. Adam comes to Sentient from the fractional provider Flight Options, where he was the Director of OCC and accountable for the daily operations of over 210 aircraft. Before both Flight Options and Sentient, Adam spent 8 years as a professional pilot flying both turboprop and jet aircraft under Part 135 and 121.
 
Adam received his B.S in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Air Traffic Control from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
 
Adam joined Sentient in 2006.
 

Charles Starkowsky, Chief Safety Officer

In this role, Charles is responsible for the management of Sentient and PrivateJets.com's safety programs as well as working directly with the company's Independent Safety Advisory Board. Prior to Sentient, Charles handled ground security and training for Midwest Airlines.

Before Midwest, Charles held the position of Flight Instructor at Alpha One Flight School in Plymouth, MA. Charles is a Certified Flight Instructor with both Land and Sea Ratings.

Charles received his B.S. in Aviation Science from Bridgewater State College, as well as a B.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Charles joined Sentient in June, 2004.

John Cappadona, Vice President of Finance

In this role, John is responsible for the management of Sentient’s Accounting and Finance Team. Prior to joining Sentient Jet in 2015, John was the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at the W.B. Mason Company, where he built the function. He has also held key financial positions at Olympus, Boston Scientific and several additional established companies.

John received his B.A. in Finance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his MBA from the F.W. Olin School of Business at Babson College, where he graduated with honors on both occasions.
 

Kirsten LaMotte, Vice President, Partnerships and Events

Prior to joining Sentient Jet Kirsten was Senior Director of Marketing for Millsport Sports Marketing. She also held positions at Sports Illustrated including Director of Sports Marketing and Promotions, as well as Olympic Manager.

Kirsten received her B.A from St. Lawrence University.

Kirsten joined Sentient in 2004.