Mr. Zarnik has comprehensive corporate, airline and military jet operational experience complemented with extensive aircraft finance, operational audit, sales, acquisition, leasing and appraisal experience. With over 30 years in the aviation industry, he has been serving a diverse client base to achieve their corporate and airline sales and acquisitions objectives. Further, as Program Director in the Eastern Europe, MENA and ASIAN regions, Chris brings a fresh expertise as he serves corporate, individual and institutional clients with their leasing and financing needs. Finally, Mr. Zarnik performs operational audit and aircraft valuation services for his domestic and international banking clients worldwide.
Prior to working for CCI, Mr. Zarnik was retained by a well known Saudi Group to develop a Corporate Charter operation and corporate jet sales and leasing office in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Zarnik worked closely with the Saudi civil aviation authority (GACA) and has maintained his relationships throughout the Kingdom.
Further to Mr. Zarnik’s depth of wisdom and experience, translating directly to creating value for his customer based solutions, he served as the Director of Business Development for a boutique asset based corporate aviation finance company for Guggenheim Partners.
Mr. Zarnik also flew commercial aircraft for both United Airlines and Federal Express. He has performed Check Airmen duties. He has a type rating in the Boeing 757/767 and DC10 aircraft, a flight engineer rating in the Boeing 727 and has extensive world wide cargo, airline and Military operational experience accumulating over 13,000 hours of flight time. Mr. Zarnik retired from the US Air Force Reserves spanning a career of 26 years while flying the KC-10, KC-135 and T-38 aircraft worldwide. Mr. Zarnik is a1986 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and a Master’s degree in Systems Administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.
Mr. Zarnik’s Safety Officer experience includes:
15 years of Air Force Safety and Audit Experience – 10 years as Chief of Squadron Safety. Developed Operational Risk Management programs specific to T-38 and KC-10 operational missions. Lead Safety Officer / Investigator for airspace and airfield facilities during deployment operations to Seib AB, Oman, Aldhafra Air Base, UAE and Genoa AB in Italy.. Lead Accident investigator for C-141 hydroplaning accident, KC-10 Tail Strike, KC-10 engine failure/complete hydraulic system failure on takeoff and Military aero club Cessna 172 porpoise landing accident
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SUMMARY
Jun 11 - Present - Program Manager Corporate Concepts International - Performs Corporate Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions functions, Performs Appraisals, Expert Witness support, Operational Audits, structures Financing and leasing.
Jun 09 – May 11 - Ghaith Aviation Corporate Charter / Management – Chief Executive Officer - As CEO, responsible for the building the foundation of personnel, technical manuals and procedures in order to manage corporate aircraft under part 91 operations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Performed Aircraft sales/acquisitions, leasing, managed corporate aircraft, responsible for hiring pilots, flight attendants, dispatchers and maintenance personnel.
May 06 – May 09 - Guggenheim Aero Finance Corporation (GaFCo) – Director of Business Development
One of three original founding members of GaFCo, where my experience was instrumental in the development of the business plan, guidelines and structures which ultimately led to the origination platform for a non recourse/asset based corporate jet finance product. By structuring a warehouse line of credit and joint venture partnership with a major European Bank, GaFCo had the capability to finance $1 Billion USD, worldwide, on medium to long range corporate jets. Responsibilities included loan origination and aircraft management audits.
Dec 05 - Federal Express Corporation – Boeing 727 Second Officer
Flew as second officer on a Boeing 727 and First Officer on Boeing 757 on domestic and international Part 121 flights.
Dec 98 – Dec 03 United Airlines – Boeing 727 First/Second Officer, Airbus 320/319 First Officer
Became flight engineer line check airman after 8 months of line experience. Responsibilities included training validation and transitioning flight engineer graduates to actual flight line operations. Performed over 40 annual recurring line checks. Additionally flew the line as 727 and Airbus First Officer.
Dec 03 – Dec 10 - US Air Force Reserves - Aircraft Commander – KC-135R – Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC - Currently serving ( with a retirement date of 31 May 2010) as a traditional reservist in the capacity of a fully mission qualified aircraft commander. Additional duties include Assistant Squadron Safety Officer.
Jun 94 – Nov 98 KC-10 Aircraft Commander, Chief of Safety - 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, McGuire AFB, NJ - Responsible for managing the commander^s safety and organizational risk management programs. Directed an aggressive mishap prevention program by conducting safety meetings, mishap investigations and implementing safety education programs. Commanded combat ready aircrews and support personnel. Employed a 70 million dollar mobility asset, world wide, while performing demanding operational air refueling, passenger and cargo missions. Supported numerous allied and multi-service support agencies. Deployed in support of theater operations when directed by the National Command Authority.
Sep 87 - Jun 94 T-38 Upgrade Instructor Pilot, Assistant Flight Commander /Squadron Chief of Safety Reese/Randolph AFB, TX - Trained American and Allied students and pilots to be T-38 Instructor pilots. Training covered all aspects of high performance jet operations including high and low altitude navigation, formation, aerobatics and emergency procedures. Other duties included Safety Officer, Supervisor of Flying and tower controller.
May 86 - Sep 87 - USAF Student Pilot Training - Reese AFB - Lubbock Texas
EDUCATION - Bachelor of Science, Management, United States Air Force Academy, CO May 1986
Master of Science, Systems Administration, St Mary^s University San Antonio, TX, Dec 1993
USAF Flight Safety Officer/Accident Investigation Course, Kirtland AFB, NM, Nov 1996
06/11 - ME201AS - Introduction to Machinery and Equipment( Aviation Specific) ASA
10/2015 - ME 202AS - Machinery and Equipment Valuation Methodology ( Aviation Specific) - ASA
10/2015 Airman Knowledge Test
05/2016 - ASA Ethics Exam
05/2016 - SE 100 USPAP Exam
CERTIFICATES/RATINGS - Airline Transport Pilot – ME/SE land , Commercial privileges, DC-10 Type rating, Boeing 767/757 Type rating, Flight Engineer turbo jet
FAA 1st Class Medical – No limitations, FCC Radio telephone operators permit.
From Chris’ current base in Raleigh, North Carolina, he serves clients worldwide with an individualized commitment to achieving client goals that has earned him a reputation for performance, transparency and integrity that is second to none in the industry.