Bob Stanford, Director of Aviation Sector and a Board Member of Celebrate Freedom Foundation

With more than 30 years in the aviation industry, Bob is one of the world’s most respected authorities in several aviation disciplines. He is renowned for his seasoned expertise in aircraft sales, acquisitions, aviation financial analysis, tax implications, aircraft valuations, maintenance management, operational procedures, planning, and market forecasting.​As a professional pilot, Bob has been trained on more than 50 different models of fixed and rotary-wing, turbine-powered aircraft. He earned an instructor’s rating for basic, recurrent, type rating, instrument, and rotorcraft to fixed-wing transition training. Bob has a long and successful career in the aviation industry starting in 1969 as a Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and then for the U.S. National Guard. In 1977, during the first phase of his transition to a civilian aviation career, he flew for Petroleum Helicopters.​

Moving to the Gates Learjet/Bombardier Aircraft Corporation in 1982, Bob was named District Sales Manager. He founded Stanford & Associates and served as President of the organization in 1995. He subsequently joined Executive Aircraft Corporation in 2001 and was appointed as their Vice President of Sales and Marketing.​

In 2002, Bob formed Zenith Aviation and, through the years, overcame many obstacles to become a global leader in the supply of spare parts for and service of the Dornier 328 aircraft. Not one to rest on his laurels, Bob has seen tremendous growth in his core business, but has worked tirelessly to add capabilities to support several other aircraft flown in the Regional Airline industry.​

Bob is an active member of the National Business Aviation Association, Regional Airline Association, National Association of Manufactures Agents, National Aircraft Appraisers Association, and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.​

Aviation and pilot honors awarded to Bob include the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Aviation, 22 Air Medals for Meritorious Achievement in Aviation and Aerial Flight, Senior Aviator Award, Master Aviator Award, and multiple Awards for Outstanding Performance in Aircraft Sales.​

Bob attended Dutchess County Community College of New York and the US Army Aviation School, subsequently graduating with a curriculum that included advanced flight and instructor schools, as well as numerous courses in aviation safety, flight operations, finance and leasing, time-share, and aviation maintenance programs