Meet the Hill Private Aviation Team

Guy grew up at the company his father, Guy Hill, Sr., founded – Hill Aircraft. He came to the airport at every opportunity. At the age of 12, Guy Jr. began working in the aircraft maintenance department, sweeping floors and eventually assisting in routine maintenance. At 16, he received his pilot’s license and at 18, became the youngest Airframe and Powerplant mechanic in Georgia at the time. He joined the company full time in 1988, after earning a degree in Business Management at Auburn University. He served as Marketing Manager and Vice President for the forerunner of Hill Private Aviation, before becoming its President/CEO in 2003, and CEO and Chairman of the Board in 2007. In 2023, George J. Priester Aviation acquired the charter and management services from Hill Aircraft, known today as Hill Private Aviation. Since then, Guy Jr. has served as Chairman of Hill Private Aviation, the Southeast Base of the George J. Priester Aviation family of brands. Guy has been Commercial Pilot Type-rated for Citation 500 and CJ series. He has played active parts in professional organizations, including as founding Director of the Community Bank of the South, past president of the Atlanta Aero Club, NATA Board Member, and Founding Member of the Pegasus Aviation 20 Group. He and his family live in Marietta, Georgia.

Brent has served as George J. Priester President and CEO since 2024, having previously served the company as President of Mayo Aviation. He has been in the business of aviation since 1994 and flying before that. Throughout his career he has worked with a variety of aviation services, touching aircraft owners and management, charter operators and passengers, and sales, fleet operations and management. In all cases, his priority has been to serve the customer and provide the best possible aviation experience. He joined Mayo Aviation in 2019, where he led operations of the Rocky Mountain-located base. He has facilitated ways to make aviation better for clients and strategically eliminates obstacles for owners to get the most out of their aircraft. He is a strong supporter of the company’s work with Flight for Life Colorado, and prioritizes time spent with his family. He attended Denver’s Regis University and has held a private pilot’s license since 1990.

Rich has 30+ years of industry experience in aviation sales and aircraft management. Ropp opened the base location in his native St. Louis for Jet Linx Aviation. In addition to serving as the company’s Base President of St. Louis, he was responsible for leading its growth as Vice President of Business Development and Aircraft Management Sales. Ropp also served as National Sales Director at Jet Aviation, where he was the single point of contact for major clients and flight departments to the global platform of services. Over the past several years, he was instated as President for the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) and as a Board of Directors Member for Wings of Hope in Chesterfield, Missouri. He was a member of NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers Committee for six years. He is an active member of Calvary Church and served as a small group leader, greeter, and Sunday school teacher in the children’s ministry. He always finds time for family, is a daily runner, loves to cook, prefers to be outdoors whenever possible, and absolutely loves to travel.

Marvin puts safety and customer service at the forefront of every decision his team makes. As Director of Aviation, he focuses on ensuring teams work together to provide the best possible experience in private aviation. He facilitates a team commitment to going above and beyond for clients and travelers. He previously served as Director of Aviation for Mayo Aviation in Colorado, prior to expanding that capacity to the larger George J. Priester family. its brand, Mayo Aviation in Colorado. He is active in local aviation organizations, mentoring up-and-coming aviators. In addition to aviation, Marvin is also an accomplished songwriter.

Jay oversees the company’s global flight operations as the Chief Pilot and is a Captain on one of its Hawker 4000. Gilbert was a former Chief Pilot and Director of Operations for two different major management and charter operators. In those roles, Gilbert successfully grew and mentored hundreds of pilots. Gilbert demonstrates a deep understanding of Part 135 regulations and leads initiatives to improve safety and operational excellence. Gilbert holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and English from the University of Mississippi.

Carl oversees quality and safety for the entire George J. Priester Aviation family of companies. He is an accomplished aviation safety and regulatory expert with more than 35 years of experience in Part 135 on-demand passenger and cargo operations. He holds an advanced degree in Aviation Safety from the Florida Institute of Technology College of Aeronautics. In 2021, Bennett was awarded the Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award from NBAA, in support of aviation safety. Bennett was also a founding board member of the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association, a contributor to the FAA Part 135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee and is a past Chairman of the Radiopharmaceutical Shippers and Carriers Committee.

Rustin leads charter sales for the George J. Priester Aviation family of companies, including, Priester Aviation, Mayo Aviation and Hill Private Aviation. He brings more than 25 years of charter sales and management experience to the position and has a focus on relationships and maximizing efficiencies for our owners and clients. He works closely with the aircraft management team to develop further charter opportunities, if desired, for the more than 80 aircraft managed under the company’s brands.