About the Foundation

Jeff Pino was the kind of man who made every room feel bigger. Charismatic, fiercely loyal, and endlessly curious, he moved through life with the same confidence and purpose he brought to the cockpit — always forward, always with conviction.

Jeff grew up in a military family, raised across the United States and abroad. It was that life on the move gave him an early education in adaptability and adventure that would define him. He graduated from Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona in 1972 and earned his BA in Psychology from the University of Arizona, where he served as Cadet Corps Commander of ROTC, and later his MBA from Webster University.

Aviation wasn’t just a career for Jeff. It was a calling. Upon graduation from college he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and spent 26 years as an Army pilot across active duty, Reserve, and National Guard assignments, ultimately earning the designation of Master Army Aviator. He was also a certified flight instructor for both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, and an accomplished aerobatic and airshow performer.

That passion carried seamlessly into his civilian career, where he became one of the most respected leaders in aerospace.

Career Highlights

• Bell Helicopter: Joined in 1985; roles included Regional Manager for South America, Director for Latin America, Executive Director for Europe, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, ultimately leaving as Senior Vice President for Commercial Business after 17 years.
• Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation: Joined in 2002 as Senior Vice President; named the company’s youngest President in 2006, and led the company through a period of remarkable growth, with annual sales nearly doubling from $3.2B to $6.8B during his tenure.
• AHS International (now VFS): Served as President (2007–2008) and Chairman of the Board (2008–2009).
• Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing: Served as founding CEO beginning in 2013.
• XTI Aircraft Company: Joined in 2015 as Executive Vice Chairman, drawn by XTI’s vision of reshaping the future of flight with the VTOL TriFan 600.

Jeff Pino was far more than his résumé. He was known among colleagues for his motorcycles, his barbecues, and a warmth with employees that made him genuinely beloved. On weekends, he could be found on long motorcycle trips with his closest friends, or beneath the surface on a scuba diving excursion, fully present, fully alive. He traveled widely, cheered loudly for his Arizona Wildcats, New York Yankees, and Dallas Cowboys, and gave back quietly through philanthropic work that reflected his deep commitment to community.

Jeff had a particular devotion to military veterans, and was equally devoted to his family. It was that devotion that brought him home to Arizona in 2012.

More than anything, Jeff wanted others to feel what he felt about aviation, and actively searched for impact opportunities. He also believed the aerospace industry had the power to transform lives, and he lived that belief. On February 5, 2016, Jeff died unexpectedly while flying with a close friend in his WWII plane “Big Beautiful Doll”, doing exactly what he loved.

The foundation that bears his name today carries everything Jeff was — and believed — forward. His belief in people, in aviation, and in the power of opportunity didn’t end when Jeff slipped the surly bonds of Earth.