Addison airport, Dallas-based professional flight academy The Thrust Flight Group has appointed Ray Lamas as president.

Lamas is the former vice president of Federal Ventures for AECOM where he led a new growth business initiative. He was previously the general manager of global customer training for Bell Flight, where he and his team expanded the global civil helicopter training business for the company.

“The flight training industry is experiencing significant growth at this time, and Ray's talents and previous experience are exactly what we need to continue the momentum we've seen over the previous 18 months,” says CEO Patrick Arnzen.

The new position of company president is a critical role for Thrust Flight as it continues to execute its strategic growth plans. The addition of Lamas will allow for increased bandwidth across the executive leadership team as it works to expand operations across the US.

Lamas has a lifelong love of aviation, beginning with his time flying in the US Navy, most recently in Strike Fighter Squadron 11 as a naval flight officer and combat mission commander. After leaving the Navy and graduating with an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, he joined global consulting firm Bain & Company as a case team leader where he advised a variety of businesses including several in the aviation industry.

“I'm very excited to join Thrust Flight as president and expand upon its outstanding track record of success,” says Lamas. “Returning to my roots in aviation with a company poised to break out significantly in the commercial flight training industry, I'm energised to lead such a talented team as it brings a new approach to training pilots for the growing needs of the global aviation market.”

The hire comes on the heels of the company's purchase of 22 new Piper aircraft and approval of examining authority for its commercial single engine land Part 141 curriculum.