KaiserAir Leadership Team
Ronald J. Guerra
Chief Executive Officer and President
Ron joined Kaiser Industries as a co-pilot in 1961, flying a DC3 for the company executives and Kaiser family members. He quickly advanced to Chief Pilot and captained the growth of both the flight staff and the acquisition of many aircraft with global capabilities. Ron and his team not only pioneered international business jet travel (they flew the first corporate jet into Beijing, among other notable firsts), but they were much sought after for their aviation management, pilot training, safety, and maintenance skills.
Ron deftly persuaded many Fortune 100 companies to operate their aircraft under the umbrella of the Kaiser flight department. The Kaiser flight department experienced rapid growth in its aircraft acquisition and management services, positioning itself under Ron's guidance as an early and substantial player among the largest Part 91, 135, and 145 operators in the western United States.
"KaiserAir" emerged from the dissolution of the Kaiser companies in 1979. Ron exhibited his loyalty to the Kaiser legacy by incorporating the Kaiser name into his newly established aviation firm, and he brought over his entire team which formerly comprised the flight department. Over the next four decades, Ron oversaw the expansion of KaiserAir, establishing two Bay Area Fixed Base Operations at Oakland and Santa Rosa airports. In 2011, KaiserAir achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first new airline at Oakland Airport in over 50 years.
Ron's professional influence extended to serving on the Gulfstream Advisory Committee, as well as serving on the Board of Directors and various committees for the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA). Ron’s legacy includes pioneering more than 40 aircraft modifications on Gulfstreams, Hawkers, Falcons, JetStars, LearJets, and Citations.
In 2005, Ron was honored with the NBAA's John P. "Jack" Doswell Award for his steadfast dedication and remarkable accomplishments that played a pivotal role in advancing the objectives and standards of business aviation. Ron retired from the professional cockpit with a remarkable flight history that encompassed over 21,000 hours and spanned six continents.
Ron remains at the helm of KaiserAir providing daily leadership along with a team of skilled aviation professionals, including several second-generation family members.
Rob Guerra, Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Pilot - FAA Part 121 Operations
Rob joined KaiserAir in 1994 as a line pilot after his graduation from California State University East Bay with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Rob is a Senior Captain and an FAA-designated Check Airman, with over 30 years of experience flying Citation, Hawker, Gulfstream, and Boeing jet aircraft. Rob has extensive domestic and international flight experience with more than 11,000 hours of flight time. In addition to his piloting and Flight Operations oversight duties, Rob continues to insure KaiserAir’s future as a second-generation family member highly involved in business operations and development. Rob piloted KaiserAir's fulfillment of all the FAA requirements to become a Part 121 operator, and he actively is involved in the procurement of KaiserAir's Boeing-737 aircraft fleet. Additionally, Rob is a Managing Partner of a private membership airline, the Hawaii Shuttle, servicing the Big Island of Hawaii.
Gregg Rorabaugh, Chief Operating Officer
Gregg studied Aeronautical Science and Aviation Management at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, graduating in 1986. Gregg spent nearly 8 years with McDonnell Douglas Corporation before joining KaiserAir in 1994 as Line Service Manager / Vice President Properties and Line Service. In 2007, Gregg joined Chevron Products Company as Manager Major Accounts-Global Aviation.
Gregg returned to KaiserAir in 2016 in his current position. Gregg is a commercial multi-engine and instrument-rated pilot and has been flying since he was 18.
John Rosa, Director of Operations - FAA Part 135 & 121
John is an Oakland native and has been part of the KaiserAir team for over 22 years. He began his flying career over the Bay Area towing advertisements and skywriting in WWII biplanes. John is a graduate of San Jose State University and holds an Engineering degree in Aviation Operations. He has a diverse history with the Company, having worked in roles ranging from Customer Service, Dispatch, and Cabin Safety. He began flying KaiserAir clients in 2004 and served as a member of the Airline Certification Team in 2008. John later transitioned to a management role as the Assistant Chief Pilot. He has flown nearly 10,000 hours in Citation 500/525, Gulfstream II, III, V, and Boeing 737 aircraft worldwide; and continues as a Senior Captain, Flight Instructor and Check Pilot.
Glenn Barrett, Vice President of Maintenance
Glenn joined KaiserAir in March 2008 as General Manager of the KaiserAir Santa Rosa Jet Center. He took over as Vice President, Maintenance at both Oakland and Santa Rosa KaiserAir locations in August 2010. Glenn is a licensed A&P mechanic, with FAA designated Inspection Authorization.
Glenn was a FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) and holds a Commercial Pilot License as well as a Flight Instructor Rating. Glenn's previous positions and responsibilities have included Repair Station Manager, Quality Manager for Manufacturing, Chief Inspector, Airport Management, FBO Manager, Flight Instructor, Director of Maintenance and Lead Mechanic.
Rusty Guerra, Vice President of Sales
Rusty’s aviation experience spans more than four decades. He managed KaiserAir’s FBO at the Oakland Airport after college, then ventured out to expand his horizon’s in the charter and fueling departments at Universal Weather and Aviation in Houston, Texas.
In 2002, Rusty returned to California and started his own jet charter and fueling business where he has developed as a highly successful jet charter broker over the last 22 years.
Rusty re-joined KaiserAir in 2020 as another second-generation family member continuing to develop KaiserAir’s endeavors.
Rusty and his brother, Rob Guerra, launched a new, private membership airline to the Big Island of Hawaii in 2022, the Hawaii Shuttle.
Tim Slater, Chief Pilot - FAA Part 135 Operations
Tim was born and raised in the Bay Area and graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Physics. Tim joined KaiserAir in 1996 and was promoted to Assistant. Chief Pilot in 2000, 121 Certification Chairman in 2008, and Chief Pilot 91/135 in 2018. Tim was instrumental in procuring the dual certification of KaiserAir as both a 121 carrier and 180-Minute ETOPS - a first for the FAA. Tim has flown over 11,000 hours in Hawker, Gulfstream II, III, IV, V, G650ER, and Boeing 737s both in the United States and internationally.
Roger Zimmerman, Director of Safety
Roger started his aviation career in 1977 when he began flying in college. By 1984 he had earned all of his aviation certificates as well as an undergraduate degree in Aviation with a minor in Business Administration at San Jose State University. In 1985, Roger worked as a mechanic while flying Charter 135 out of Oakland, California.
Roger is type rated in the Boeing 737 and Learjet with an ATP, CFII, AGI, and A&P certificate. In 1995 he was Director of Operations for a commuter arline, and in 1996 was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Roger worked at the FAA’s Oakland FSDO from 1996 thru 2014 as an Aviation Safety Inspector. Roger then relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska and finished his FAA career as the District Manager for Nebraska, retiring in May 2021. During his FAA career, Roger had oversight of dozens of safety related programs, conducted airman certification checks nationwide, conducted over 300 investigations, and mentored/coached supervisors who are now field office managers.
Roger joined KaiserAir in November 2021 as Director of Safety.