Hawthorne Global Aviation Services Expands Midwest FBO, Aircraft Charter, Management And Maintenance Capabilities

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services (Hawthorne) has acquired Heartland Aviation at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (KEAU) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Heartland is the fifth Fixed Based Operation (FBO) in Hawthorne's nationwide network, and its third acquisition in the last six months.

The new Hawthorne Eau Claire FBO has a recently-renovated passenger terminal and first class amenities, such as pilot lounges and conference facilities. Hawthorne Eau Claire is a full-service FBO and also conducts commercial airline fueling at the airport. In addition to the FBO, Heartland has a robust aircraft charter and management operation with four well-appointed Citation Jet aircraft, and a strong maintenance department capable of servicing both piston and turbine aircraft.

"Hawthorne is very excited about expanding our service offering in the Midwest with the addition of Heartland," said Bill Koch, Chairman of Hawthorne. "The diverse service offerings and high level of customer focus Heartland provides fit perfectly within the Hawthorne network."

The FBO at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport expands the Hawthorne network of FBOs across North America that includes locations at MacArthur Airport in Islip, New York (KISP), Chicago Executive Airport in Chicago, Illinois (KPWK), Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana (KNEW), and Cobb County Airport in Atlanta, Georgia (KRYY).

"With this acquisition, Hawthorne has more than doubled its size in the past year and we're excited to continue capitalizing on this momentum," said Steven Levesque, President and CEO of Hawthorne.

Moelis Capital Partners (MCP) and Hawthorne Corporation formed Hawthorne in 2010 to pursue an FBO acquisition strategy. MCP provides the company with strategic advice.

Jim Johnston, a Partner at MCP, said, "Hawthorne Eau Claire represents a great synergistic acquisition for us as there is strong traffic between Eau Claire and several of our other locations."

FMI: www.hawthorne.aero