After nearly 20 years, Robert (Bob) Rasberry, Chairman of the Board, is retiring from West Star Aviation. Rasberry will continue with West Star’s Board of Directors as Chairman Emeritus and join Norwest Equity Partners (NEP), a middle-market equity investment firm and parent of West Star Aviation, as a Senior Advisor supporting NEP’s continued interest in aviation-related investment
Rasberry in collaboration with his co-founders, Sam Haycraft, Jim Swehla and Mike Durst, acquired the small MRO, Premier Air Center, in East Alton, IL in 2002. West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, CO was added in 2005, and ultimately, the companies were united and rebranded as West Star Aviation. The Company has grown from 150 employees to over 1,400.