Michael Press has almost 50 years experience in aviation to include senior leadership positions in the U.S. Air Force and Industry. As a highly decorated combat fighter pilot he rose in rank to Colonel. His last assignment with the Air Force was in the Office of the Secretary of Air Force where he managed all Foreign Military Sales for Europe and Asia. His responsibility was to manage multi-billion dollar aviation programs like the AWACS sale from Boeing to the United Kingdom and France or the F-15 co-production sale to Japan from McDonnell-Douglas.
Following his retirement from the Air Force, Colonel Press accepted a senior Director position with Northrop Grumman. He again rose in rank and responsibilities and was involved in all facets of aircraft design, manufacturing, product support, supplier management and sales. Some of the programs he played a major role in, included the Boeing 747 commercial airliner, the Northrop Grumman Supersonic Business Jet project, the Northrop Grumman B-2 bomber, and all the advanced fighter programs with Northrop Grumman, McDonnell-Douglas, General Dynamics, Boeing and Lockheed-Martin.
After retiring from Northrop Grumman, Mr. Press started his own company to concentrate on the emerging VLJ market. He purchased an Eclipse position on the secondary market and traded up positions to gain one of the first production aircraft—serial number 004. He became the first owner pilot to qualify in the Eclipse 500 and has been flying the Eclipse 500 for the last two years. He grew his company into the largest VLJ brokerage company in the world, selling over 250 jet aircraft in two years. Currently his company has a network of agents around the world from North and South America to Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Pacific Rim.
Abbreviated Resume
Michael C. Press, Colonel (retired) USAF: 5500 hours pilot-in-command and instructor.
Command Test Pilot, Commercial, Multi-engine, Instrument and CFII ratings
Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Oregon
Master of Military Science Degree from USA Command and General Staff College
Graduate of National War College—Class 1984
Published Author: Air Forces Monthly, January 2000 Cover Story—Situation Awareness in the Cockpit and Air Combat; plus articles in numerous other professional journals.
Awards include: Legion of Merit, 2-Distinguish Flying Crosses, and 13-Air Medals.