IMAGINE FLYING A HELICOPTER TO work every day in the summer. That’s what Jet Air Group CEO Al Timmerman does on nice days, commuting from his home on Shawano Lake to Green Bay. It takes about 11 minutes.
When he gave me a tour of Jet Air in May, it was clear he loves to fly. He’s been a pilot since a young age, and through his years as chief of police for the city of Green Bay as well as director of public safety for the village of Ashwaubenon.
“It was my passion and my stress relief from police work,” he told Insight Senior Associate Editor Sean Johnson in this month’s cover story. So taking on the lead role at the fixed-base operator next to Austin Straubel International Airport was no stretch at all for him.
Timmerman has taken what others might approachas a routine job at the FBO — which provides charter flight services, fuel, maintenance, flight lessons and more — and found ways to maximize the company and its resources.
For one, Jet Air is one of only two locations in the state certified by U.S. Customs to handle and sterilize trash from international flights (the other is in Racine). Two years ago it earned the designation as a Signature Select affiliate, which includes pilot rewards programs, value-added services for its clients and high standards for service, safety, training and marketing. Timmerman likens its stringent, consistent standards for service with that of the Disney brand. In 2012, Jet Air was named Wisconsin Aviation Business of the Year.
One of the coolest things about Jet Air is that it’s the Green Bay Packers’ preferred FBO. Timmerman likes to take visitors through the “secret” garage where autos from Packers players, global executives and celebrity visitors drive through automatic doors that offer a discrete getaway straight into the hangar where they can board small planes without the prying eyes of paparazzi or pie-eyed Packers fans. Timmerman says during the EAA in Oshkosh (coming up July 20-26), celebrities who fly often arrive via Jet Air. Harrison Ford, in particular, likes to hang out there. One story goes that Ford asked for recommended restaurants, and after making off with a list of fine dining establishments, came back with a bag full of Subway sandwiches.
Another story in this issue involving a bright mind for business is Princeton Audio, based in Green Lake (see page 38). Company founder Michael Pelland came up with the idea of building hand-crafted stereo speakers from tonewood, commonly used in fine guitars and violins. He founded the company about a year ago and is preparing to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help fund manufacturing jobs and launch the brand nationally. Princeton Audio won third place in an international design competition and recently competed at the America’s Pitch Tank event sponsored by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.
Crowdfunding may be an innovative way to raise money for your business, but most still rely on local banks. With the profitability of banks a strong economic indicator, a story in this issue by Contributing Writer MaryBeth Matzek (page 27) confirms the economy is continuing to improve. Out of the 247 banks in Wisconsin, 72 percent posted profits in the first quarter this year, while only 11 lost money.
That said, our monthly “Trending” features signals economic changes to come, as interest rates are beginning to finally increase. For more insight on what’s behind the rate increase, see page 40.
I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to introduce the newest addition to our Insight staff. Andrew Schaick joined us in June as a staff reporter. With a journalism degree from UW-Oshkosh and experience working in TV — along with enthusiasm for all things digital — we’re excited to have him on our Insight team. Please join me in welcoming Andrew when we’re out and about.
