Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1188754
47 Getting to Know You JETCRAFT'S CHRIS HOLLINGSWORTH PAPERCITY PROMOTION F or many, owning a jet has become the Holy Grail. Forget Instagram numbers; it's tail numbers that count. For more than 50 years, Jetcraft has offered unique services in business aviation, providing aircraft sales, marketing, and ownership strategies for their customers and support for clients all over the world. We chatted with Chris Hollingsworth, Jetcraft's Sales Director based in Dallas, whose territory includes Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and — of course — Texas. Here's a glimpse into Hollingsworth's jet-setting luxury world. A brief history of Jetcraft. Jetcraft is the global leader in business aircraft sales and acquisitions. The company was founded in 1962, making it one of the oldest aircraft transaction specialists in the world. We've facilitated hundreds of aircraft transactions during our existence, and more than 650 in the last 10 years alone. Jetcraft has grown from a primarily U.S.-based organization to an expanding international corporation, with offi ces in more than 20 countries. I joined the company about 10 years ago, and in that time have lived and worked in Raleigh, North Carolina, Zurich and London before moving to Dallas. A typical day. I know it's a cliché, but there really is no such thing as a typical day in the private-jet business. The only thing that's typical is that I have a lot of interaction with my clients. It's incredibly important for us to truly understand our customers' needs, so we can advise them on the aircraft that best suits them, as well as supporting them throughout their ownership journey. This also means I do a lot of traveling; an aircraft they're interested in buying could be based anywhere in the world. The most challenging aspect of your profession. With the advent of the Internet, private-jet buyers can fi nd a plethora of information about our industry online, ranging from aircraft values to performance statistics. However, as an aircraft's previous usage, interior design, and even maintenance history can affect its performance and price, every aircraft is unique — which means the information they fi nd can be incorrect or misleading. Jetcraft's decades of experience, combined with our global footprint, means we can access up-to-the- minute insight into markets and aircraft across the world, ensuring our clients are always properly informed. If you could choose any plane, to fl y anywhere in the world. I think the next frontier in this century is going to be private space travel, so I'd love to hitch a ride on whatever aircraft is heading into outer space! I can't think of anything more exciting than seeing Earth from that perspective. Charities and community outreach. This year, I'm involved with the Crystal Charity Ball. The children's charities that the Crystal Charity Ball Committee supports every year are all dedicated to giving children hope for a healthier, more productive future, and I'm proud to be part of such a considerate community. Favorite aviation movie. I have to say Top Gun. While there are some aviation inaccuracies in the movie that make me laugh out loud, I never forget the exhilarating feeling it gave me as a kid. I still get excited during those fi rst iconic fi ve minutes. Chris Hollingsworth This year, I'm involved with the Crystal Ball Committee supports every year are all dedicated to giving children hope for a healthier, more productive future, and I'm proud to be part of such a considerate . While there are some aviation inaccuracies in the movie If you weren't in your current profession . I'd probably spend all day outdoors as a fl y-fi shing guide in the mountains of North Carolina. Dallas restaurants you can't live without. When we moved to Dallas, Nick & Sam's was the fi rst steak restaurant we went to, and to this day we have not found a steak that beats theirs … but Bob's Steak & Chop House is certainly giving them a run for their money. Nobu for sushi and Asian cuisine is hard to beat. There's a restaurant up the street from our house by the name of Feedstore BBQ, and while their brisket is good, their ribs are hands down the best I have found thus far in Texas. We're still searching for an Indian restaurant that comes close to what we were accustomed to in London — suggestions are welcome! chris.hollingsworth@jetcraft.com (912) 247-8627