Chairman Emeritus
Jerry Smith is Chairman Emeritus of JB&A Aviation and continues to play an active role in the company. He is a commercial instrument, multi-engine and instructor pilot in airplanes and helicopters and has a Westwind type rating. Jerry started his flying career in the ROTC flight program at the University of Vermont in 1964 and has over 40 years experience in aircraft sales.
He was a Captain in the US Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam where he received 31 Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Purple Heart. Jerry then instructed for one year in the Army’s Primary Helicopter School at Minerals Wells, Texas.
Jerry was appointed Regional Sales Manager for Atlantic Aviation Corporation where he demonstrated and sold the complete line of Bell Helicopters in the Northeast. He then supervised the Regional Sales office in White Plains, New York and was responsible for Westwind jet sales in the Northeast. In 1973 Jerry transferred to Houston and was responsible for Westwind jet sales in all states west of the Mississippi where he sold 18 new Westwinds and numerous used turbine aircraft.
After nine years at Atlantic, Jerry became a partner at Jim Bath and Associates in 1978 which was later renamed and incorporated as JB&A Aviation, Inc.