Long-Time Aviation Veteran To Broaden Gulfstream's Globalization Effort

Selling business jets internationally requires the tact of a diplomat, the insight of an intelligence analyst, the ability to handle many languages, and above all, the flexibility to forge bonds with business and world leaders. Gulfstream says Tarek Ragheb has all of those qualities, and that's why he has been promoted to regional senior vice president, International Sales, according to Larry Flynn, senior vice president, Marketing and Sales, Gulfstream.

Ragheb (pictured), who reports to Flynn, has served for 16 years as Gulfstream's division vice president for Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EMEA). He will continue to oversee that region and the team of sales professionals he has put in place.

"Tarek has a unique ability to move easily among very different cultures and establish rapport with leaders in every field," commented Flynn. "He's a unique asset for Gulfstream."

Ragheb emigrated with his family from Egypt to the United States in 1969 when he was just 13 years old. He later became a U.S. citizen. After graduating from Temple University, he served as a U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst and then as a political-military attaché at the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While there, he wrote an Arab-Peninsula affairs briefing that was ultimately presented to the president of the United States. Subsequently, he was vice president, General Electric Aerospace, for the Middle East and Africa, then president, Martin Marietta International, Middle East region.
 
He came to Gulfstream in 1994. Since then, Ragheb has made the Gulfstream name prominent in important regions, including the Middle East and Russia as well as the emerging economies of Eastern Europe and the major economies of Western Europe. Like a good intelligence officer, he is always scanning for new opportunities. "Egypt is just now emerging as an important market," he says. "Our business jets are being accepted as valuable business tools. Gulfstream and, indeed, the whole industry have worked hard to get this point across in the international market. As new territories are opening to us, it's important that we are able to interact at the highest levels in these regions and that is the focus of our efforts."

Recently, Ragheb led Gulfstream's initiative to launch an aircraft finance symposium for world bankers, introducing them to a new commitment on the part of the U.S. Export Import Bank to support business-jet financial transactions. "One of the biggest challenges we have right now is making sure our customers have access to capital," he said. "We help our customers when we educate bankers and other financial institutions on how to put aircraft transactions together."

Reflecting on a career he never expected, but relishes, Ragheb said the experiences have been unusual and gratifying.

"It is not just the airplanes, but the people, who make the business," Ragheb said. "I am lucky to work with so many amazing customers and to have the support of a hard-working, incredibly talented staff in Savannah and in my region."

Ragheb is headquartered in Cairo, which is centrally located and offers excellent access to all parts of his region. He also maintains a residence in McLean, Va. He is a private pilot and is fluent in English and Arabic, with a working knowledge of French and German.  For many years he has been a supporter of Thaseen El Siha, one of Egypt's oldest charities with a focus on women's health and economic empowerment.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com