Executive Team
Justin Lazzeri – CEO
Born and raised in Maryland, Justin graduated from the Daytona Beach, Florida, campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Science. From 2002 until 2004, he spent time as a flight instructor and as a contract pilot for Skytech, Inc. flying various aircraft supporting Skytech’s Sales and Service departments. In 2005, Justin came on board with Skytech full-time and assumed the role of Director of Marketing shortly thereafter. Justin is the Executive Editor and Writer for Skytech’s Owner & Pilot Advantage magazine and has contributed articles for several industry publications, including the Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association and the Malibu Mirage Owners and Pilots Association. Since 2010, Justin has been integral in Skytech’s development and subsequent growth of both their Aircraft Management and Charter programs. In 2017, Justin assumed the title of Vice President of Aircraft Operations and was integral in developing Skytech’s Aircraft Management and Charter Departments, including the East Coast’s first 135 approved Pilatus PC-24, while continuing to lead the company’s Marketing initiatives. He holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings and a Certified Flight Instructor Certificate. Justin lives in Maryland with his wife, Dr. Annie Lazzeri, DVM, and their two children.
Rick Shepard – Executive Vice President, Operations & Sales Manager
Rick joined Skytech during the company’s expansion to Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 2001. He is an alumnus of Winthrop University (2003), earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, along with an Associates in Arts degree from York Technical College. From 2001-2006, Rick served in various roles within the Line Service and Parts departments, all along building valuable flight time and experience. Rick earned accreditation as an Advanced Line Service Supervisor through NATA and his continued experience in Operations positioned him to become Operations Manager of the Rock Hill, South Carolina location in 2006. In 2019, Shepard was named Vice President of Operations overseeing Line Service operations for Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Westminster, Maryland, FBO facilities. Along with his role in Operations, Rick served as the Piper Aircraft sales representative for a three-state area, a position he had since 2012. A Piper owner himself, he bought his first airplane at age 20. Shepard has written several featured articles for Skytech’s Owner and Pilot Advantage Magazine and has contributed to various marketing efforts. Rick holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings and has logged over 3500 flight hours, with over 2500 hours in PA-46’s. Rick is a longtime resident of Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he and his wife Katy are raising their two children.
Preston Estes – Vice President, Service
A native of Illinois, Preston’s aviation path started at Southern Illinois University, where he received an A.A.S. Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology along with an A&P license in 1992. An IA was added in 1995. Preston has been a part of the Pilatus PC-12 program in one way or another since its inception in 1994 – including maintaining the first US-delivered PC-12 while initially working at a Pilatus and Piper service center in Central Illinois. After achieving PC-12 FSE certification from the Pilatus factory in Switzerland, he became a Pilatus Tech Rep (FSE) for Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd at their Broomfield, CO headquarters. A position he would hold from 1998-2001 while traveling the world in support of the PC-12. In 2001, Preston joined Skytech, Inc. as the Director of Maintenance at our Rock Hill, South Carolina facility. In 2017, he assumed his current position of Vice President of Service, overseeing all aspects of Skytech’s maintenance at Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Westminster, Maryland, facilities. Preston and his wife Nicole live in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Their daughter, Tori, is carrying on the family Salukis tradition as a current student at Southern Illinois University.
John Foster – President and CEO, 1980 – 2022
Frank A. Stephenson – Founder and Chairman Emeritus, 1976 – 2012
Harold F. Graul, Jr. – Board Member Emeritus, 1991-2015
Michael J. Fitzgerald – Board Member Emeritus, 1999-2017