
West Star Aviation has revealed a revamped executive leadership structure that will see Jim Rankin step down from his CEO post and serve as executive chairman. The company appointed Stephen Maiden as Rankin’s replacement as CEO, while current COO Allen McReynolds assumes an expanded role as president and COO, responsible for all West Star operations.
Maiden joined West Star in November when West Star acquired Gama Aviation subsidiary Jet East, where he had served as president and CEO. Maiden’s career in aviation maintenance began when he served in the U.S. Air Force as an electrical and environmental specialist on F-16s. He has served a variety of roles with increasing responsibility, starting as an avionics technician and later as team lead and manager, moving up to director of quality and of operations. He spent the last 18 years serving as CEO at various MRO companies.