All Key Air team members are driven by the desire to provide the perfect flying conditions for each and every customer.

The Best Team in the Business

Motivated, dedicated, professional…these three words sum up our entire Key Air team. All of our employees have a single goal: to provide safe, reliable and personalized air transportation. Key Air's success is directly attributed to the fact that the company attracts and retains the best people in the industry. In fact, 55% of our employees (including pilots) have been with us for more than 5 years and 15% have been here for more than 10 years. All are driven by the desire to provide the perfect flying conditions for each and every customer.

Bob Marinace
President and Chief Executive Officer, Key Air

Mr. Marinace joined Key Air in 2009 in a senior management role and was responsible for many of Key Air’s efforts in national expansion, client services and development of internal operating processes. A 30-year aviation industry veteran, Bob has held senior leadership positions with several leading business aviation service companies inclusive of Chief Operating Officer, Senior VP of Flight Operations, Business Development and VP of Integration with experience with business aviation fleets of over 150 aircraft.

Mr. Marinace was recently elected to serve on the National Air Transportation Association Board of Directors and is a former Chairman of its Air Charter Committee. Additionally, he sits on the Board of Governors for the Air Charter Safety Foundation and is a former member of its Executive Committee. Mr. Marinace has held Board Member and President positions in several regional business aviation interest groups and has served on a number of FAA Aviation Rulemaking and advisory groups as well as a leading manufacturer’s aircraft certification committee. He is also a recipient of the coveted Flight Safety Foundation/PAMA Joe Chase Award.

Mr. Marinace served in the United States Air Force as a Lockheed C-5A crewmember. He has professionally presented on a variety of subjects including human factors, aviation safety and communications and holds degrees in Sociology and Aviation Technology.

David "Buddy" Blackburn
Senior Vice President, Nationwide FBO Operations

Mr. Blackburn began his general aviation career with Key Air in January 1990 during which time he held various management positions including Line Manager, Operations Manager and Vice President General Manager. In 2005 Mr. Blackburn was promoted to President of Key Air NY Metro OXC formally known as Keystone Aviation Services. He was promoted to his current position, Senior Vice President, Nationwide FBO Operations, in July 2009 and is responsible for overseeing FBO Operations at all Key Air facilities.

Mr. Blackburn is knowledgeable in all aspects of FBO operations, including airport and facility requirements, accounting and operations, training, customer service, and regulatory compliance. Mr. Blackburn is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Danny Olmstead
Vice President of Flight Operations

Mr. Olmstead joined Key Air in August 2005. Having been a professional pilot since 1981, Mr. Olmstead spent the last 12 years with US Airways as a Pilot, Check Airman, Program Manager for both the Canadair CRJ and Boeing 727 aircraft, and a Designated Examiner. His corporate experience includes flying for the Trump Organization and Director of Maintenance on a corporate Boeing 727.

Currently Mr. Olmstead has over 8000 hours of flight time and is rated on A320, CL-65, and HS 125 aircraft. He is also an FAA Designated Flight Examiner, Certified Instructor, Flight Test Pilot and an Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic.

Deb Higgins
Vice President Charter Sales

Ms. Higgins joined Key Air in 2011 and has extensive aviation experience spanning over 23 years. She has held former positions in the role of Sales Management and Vice President of Charter Sales for multiple aviation companies in the South Florida and NY markets, and was instrumental in the development of each of those company’s 135 operations over the years. Prior to joining Key Air, Ms. Higgins was the VP of Charter Sales in the NY Metro area and successfully ran their 135 flight department.

Ms. Higgins attended Center for the Media Arts in Manhattan and graduated with a degree in photo journalism.

David Cahill
Vice President – General Counsel

Mr. Cahill joined Key Air in June 2008. He was formerly the Vice President, General Counsel of Kuehne + Nagel Inc., a worldwide freight forwarding and logistics company, for 15 years. Prior to Kuehne + Nagel, he was an associate attorney at Robinson, Silverman, Pearse, Aronsohn & Berman in New York for 7 years.

Mr. Cahill received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of William and Mary. He received his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law.

Jim Calabrese
Director of Maintenance

Mr. Calabrese joined Key Air in August 2009 and is responsible for maintaining the company’s aircraft and equipment to ensure continuous safety, airworthiness, and regulatory compliance. Mr. Calabrese was formerly Director of Maintenance at Wayfarer Aviation, a Part 135 operator in Weymouth, MA. His management responsibilities there included employee direction and guidance, as well as establishing procedures for purchasing and repair of materials and other aircraft products.

Over the years, he has held a number of positions in general aviation that demonstrate his experience and expertise—Director of Maintenance Planning, Manager of Maintenance Control, Supervisor of Maintenance Control and Line Mechanic.

Mr. Calabrese has extensive technical and licensure training and attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.