Make it Miami: Business Spotlight

By: Tommy Mitchell, President, iAero Thrust

Tommy Mitchell brings 27 years of leadership and supply chain management experience in the aviation, energy, and healthcare industries with General Electric (GE). He has developed teams and factories around the world that use operations excellence to deliver customer results on a foundation of quality, safety, and integrity.

Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn

  1. Tell us a little about your company/business:
    iAero Thrust, based in Miami, FL, is the only integrated full-service aviation engine maintenance, repair, and, overhaul (MRO) and test provider in the Americas dedicated to the CFM56 engine line. Originally founded in 1946, the company has a proven legacy of execution and evolution, having serviced over 9,000 engines. The company operated as AeroThrust Holdings until 2018, when it was acquired by privately held iAero Group, then consequently rebranded to iAero Thrust in 2019. Our company incorporates our values of focusing on the highest safety, quality, reliability, best employee experience, and best customer experience into everything we do.
  1. Can you share your leadership style and tips for a successful leadership?
    As a leader, my style is direct, honest, and transparent.  Our company culture is based on low ego, working together as a team, and approaching each challenge with an optimistic outlook.  With these attributes, we can be extremely flexible to our customers needs.
  1. Why did you choose Miami for your company’s long-term growth?
    What drove you to relocate/expand your company in Miami? Miami’s growing talent pool, aviation history, legacy, momentum, and the future outlook of the industry are key attributes that made us establish or business here. We are proud to be part of a vibrant aviation community in South Florida.  The area continues to attract both relocations and start-up companies in our industry.  Also, Florida continues to grow as a destination for our airline customers with expanding routes like Southwest to MIA.
  2. List three things that make Miami a unique place to do business – present-day advantages that set it apart from other major cities. 
    Miami has many attributes that make it a great place to do business, not only being recognized as the logistics hub for the Americas, the growing aviation community, and an attractive place to live which in turn attracts talent. What we love about Miami is that when we have our customers and business partners visit it is always a perfect excuse to combine a business trip with a vacation. There is always a personal component to business and the environment in Miami makes that easy especially with the changing business climate.
  3. How did The Beacon Council work with you as you chose the right destination for your business?
    What services/support did the team offer you? How do you think The Beacon Council can continue to help you and other businesses looking to innovate and grow? Working with the Beacon Council was a positive experience as they supported our initiatives through marketing partnerships that in turn helped drive more awareness and engagement within the local community. Additionally, the Beacon Council can help by continuing to make business a priority on the agenda of local governments which is important for heavily regulated industries like Aviation.

About iAero Thrust
iAero Thrust, based in Miami, FL, is the only integrated full-service aviation engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and test provider in the Americas dedicated to the CFM56 engine line. Originally founded in 1946, the company has a proven legacy of evolving and executing, having serviced over 9,000 engines. The company operated as AeroThrust Holdings until it was acquired by privately held iAero Group in 2018, and then rebranded to iAero Thrust in 2019. iAero Thrust is an FAA certified Part 145 repair station.