At Gray Stone Advisors, we thoroughly enjoy working with our valued aviation clients, affiliates and vendors. Below are just a few reasons why our clients and colleagues value our advisors as well our collobrative working styles.

“I have had the opportunity to engage Gray Stone Advisors on the following projects:

• Benchmarking and development of performance-based metrics
• Gap analysis and path forward recommendations for our dispatch and maintenance functions
• Development of a five-year fleet strategy
• Zero-based budgeting workshops for entry level managers
• Organizational alignment and employee feedback surveys

One of the areas of significant consideration in the ongoing relationship between HP Aviation and Gray Stone has been the direct and honest communication established with their Advisors. I can speak very favorably on their ability to meet aggressive project timelines, and all final reports are well understood at the executive level. Their professional and low-key interface with HP Aviation staff has facilitated an open exchange and teachable moments for all involved team members.

HP Aviation has gone through significant transformation in the last year and partnering with Jim and his team has accelerated the department’s transformational efforts while allowing us to executive on our daily tactical activities.

I am happy to expand on any area that Gray Stone has partnered with Hewlett-Packard and look forward to our future collaborative efforts with Gray Stone." –Richard J. Walsh, Director of Aviation and Global Resiliency, Hewlett-Packard Company

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"Working with Gray Stone Advisors has been a tremendous opportunity for our company.  My Senior Advisor is very insightful, honest and candid individual and is very easy to work with. He always carries a positive attitude, which would always bring encouragement to our meetings. His knowledge and enthusiasm was evident from the very first time we met with him.

Gray Stone's continued guidance and recommendations have allowed us to achieve powerful results and take our requirements to the next level. The team takes the time to understand the complexity of our company and, through their extensive experience and knowledge, has provided us with a recommendation of a road map to success." -Jennifer Alessio, Senior Finance Manager, Corporate Security, McKesson Corporation

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Ten months have passed since we first met on the second floor at headquarters in Bethpage. At that time, it was clear to others and me that the department needed some professional guidance to help stabilize the operation. I had just completed my first year with the company [as Director, Flight Operations] and was frustrated with our progress.

You and the Gray Stone Advisors team were able to quickly assess our operation and provide the assistance we so desperately needed. Your consistent presence at the hangar and methodical process used to evaluate the organization were key factors in helping turn this department around. It was also clear to me from the beginning that your very well rounded business career experience—combined with your aviation prowess—was the perfect mix for developing a flight department and its personnel. Many of the folks on this team have risen to the challenge with your support and guidance. The process, definition and development you brought into the department have also played a very important role in reshaping our organization.

This has been a very fast-paced transformation and we would not have been able to complete our IS-BAO Stage I audit in such a short time frame without you and your team. If all flight departments had the opportunity to work with an organization such as Gray Stone Advisors, there would be nothing but “Best in Class” flight departments. The service you provide is invaluable and I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for CSC Transport. I look forward to the future of this department and maintaining a strong working relationship with Gray Stone Advisors. -Phil Stang, Vice President of Business Aviation, CSC Transport (Cablevision)

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"At our request, Gray Stone Advisors assumed an interim leadership role in our corporate Flight Department. Simultaneously, we asked them to launch a best practices initiative to ensure that the department was operating consistent with (or better than) its peer group in the business aviation industry. Gray Stone Advisors put a Senior Advisor in place and immediately went to work. 

In short order, new Vision, Mission and Value Statements were created to align the Department, and an Operating Plan was developed to set a new, best practice, direction. Within a few months, the department became IS-BAO registered and a set of Operating Metrics was created to improve corporate reporting. A new budgeting process was developed that zero-based all costs and modeled the operation financially. Our Senior Advisor also played a key role in the recruiting and onboarding of a permanent Aviation Director.

Gray Stone Advisors was effective in establishing a highly effective teamwork environment for our Flight Department and leading our existing team to achieve high levels of performance in a short time. They did so in a sustainable way, by engaging the entire team and drawing the best out of our people. They integrated seamlessly with our corporate staff and exceeded the objectives that we placed upon them. We are highly pleased with their performance and the results they helped us achieve." -Vice President and Reporting Executive to Flight Department, Fortune 500 Company

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"Jim Lara brings calm and a sense of order to situations of chaos or discomfort. His voice and demeanor soothes and alleviates tension; and, his methodical approach brings an immediate sense of order. He instills confidence in others; he models sincerity. Jim is an excellent coach and does a wonderful job of holding up the mirror." -Sheryl Barden, President & CEO, Aviation Personnel International

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"I was impressed with Jim Lara’s energy, enthusiasm, and calmness in dealing with very difficult situations. Jim was able to put in place new managers and strategies that commence the move toward desirable levels of profitability. He had the courage to take controversial, yet necessary steps to return the company to profitability. He reorganized a major line of business to the point where it is smoothly functioning and highly profitable. He is professional, energetic, competent, thorough and consistent - a hardworking, top-performing professional leader." -Terry Giles, Board Member, Audit Committee Chairman, Public Company

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"Jim Lara has challenged us to change our perspective on our industry and create new processes and service offerings to our customers. During our 10 year association, my company has grown from $10 Million to over $65 Million in sales, and is well position to continue our growth and success into the future."-Todd Snyder, VP-Operations, World Travel

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"Mr. Lara is disarmingly direct, insightful, honest, inspirational and in-touch. In one consultation, he provides the insights and understanding that would take a long time to develop alone. His advice is practical, candid, creative. To say that the experience was enlightening is an understatement."-Kjell Andreessen, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer

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"Jim Lara has the ability to effect change in an organization. His ability to mentor, coach and guide individuals, helping them grow, is one of his greatest attributes. He is committed to the client’s success, and he has a broad background in many business sectors – service, retail & wholesale distribution. His wealth of experience enables him to speak to most challenges inherent in either rapid growth companies or struggling turn around projects. Jim’s presence 'Lifts the Pressure', allowing problems to be solved. He brings insight, perspective, reflection, encouragement and honesty to any discussion." –Founder, Global Emergency Response Centers

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"Jim Lara grasps the 'Real Message', clarifies and distills to succinct words to achieve understanding and consensus of the group. He is a teacher, not lecturer. He quickly gains the confidence of those around him." -Chairman & CEO, Global Emergent Medical Response

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"Jim Lara has the unique ability to drill down into anything to do a root cause analysis and then translate those finding into an actionable plan. He holds people accountable. He guides and teaches. He builds confidence that success is possible, even in troubled environments." -Chief Financial Officer, Publicly-traded Professional Services Company

 

At Gray Stone Advisors, we focus on the 'business' of business aviation. How may we best assist you?