In this episode of Destination Aviation, we sit down with George Sakas of Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) to talk about a career path that’s anything but ordinary. George shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Army—where he drove tanks—to finding his way into aviation and ultimately becoming the Director of Economic Development & Administrative Services at one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports.

We discuss how his military experience shaped his leadership style, the skills that translated from armored vehicles to airport management, and what it takes to drive growth and development at Chicago Executive Airport. From economic strategy and airport operations to workforce development and the future of general aviation, George offers insight into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps an airport moving.

This conversation is a great listen for anyone interested in aviation careers, airport leadership, military-to-civilian transitions, and the people who make aviation happen beyond the cockpit.

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As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Destination Aviation takes a step back — not just to reflect on the year, but to remember the airports that no longer appear on today’s charts.

After a few opening updates and some behind-the-scenes channel news, the conversation shifts into a journey through the ghosts of aviation — airfields that once launched legends, trained generations of pilots, and shaped the cities that grew around them… only to quietly disappear.

These are places where runways have been replaced by parks, neighborhoods, shopping centers, and roads — yet if you listen closely, you can still hear the echoes of radial engines, early jets, and student pilots on their first solo.

This end-of-year episode isn’t just about what aviation has gained — it’s about what we’ve lost, and why those lost runways still matter.

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In this episode of Destination Aviation, Jeff sits down with Sean White, Executive Vice President of FBO Development at Jet Access, whose career traces an extraordinary arc from the halls of Washington to the heart of general aviation.

Before taking on leadership roles in FBO development, Sean spent nearly a decade in federal politics and government service—including positions at the White House, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. From staffing senior officials to coordinating national and international travel logistics, Sean developed a strategic skillset rooted in policy, communication, and high-stakes coordination.

That foundation launched him into a second career in aviation. Sean went on to lead the Central Indiana Transit Task Force, oversee public outreach and government relations for Indy Connect, and support major initiatives for the Indianapolis Airport Authority. He also played a key role with AOPA, managing infrastructure and logistics for national fly-in events.

Sean then transitioned into hands-on airport leadership—serving nearly seven years as General Manager and VP at First Wing Jet Center, overseeing FBO operations across multiple airports and building teams, systems, and service cultures that helped elevate each facility.

Today, he leads FBO development at Jet Access, bringing together his rare mix of political insight, operational experience, and strategic communication to help shape one of the nation’s fastest-growing aviation companies.

In this episode, Jeff and Sean dive into:

• How a career in federal politics unexpectedly prepared him for aviation
• What it takes to manage multi-airport FBO operations
• The behind-the-scenes logistics of national aviation events
• The future of general aviation, community engagement, and airport development
• Why the skills that succeed in the West Wing also succeed on the ramp

This episode is also special because it’s the first one we recorded on video, and it’s available on YouTube for those who prefer to watch as well as listen. It’s an insightful, wide-ranging conversation with a leader who has lived two full careers—and is still ascending.

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