As business aviation continues to feel the effect of pilot and mechanic shortages, Mente Group has responded with the development of a talent management business. The new arm of the company will focus on hiring and retaining personnel needed to support the company’s business aircraft owners and operators. Colleen Kelly, Mente's San Francisco-based executive v-p of talent management, is heading up the division.

Mente's talent management tools include flight department startup, flight department interim management, personnel placement, and compensation and retention studies. According to Mente, launch customers include a defense contractor and consumer product producer that operate internationally.

"The business aviation industry is currently suffering from a convergence of negative regulatory factors and aggressive hiring practices from airlines," said Brian Proctor, Mente Group president and CEO. "To counter these negative influences, Mente Group has created Mente talent management to develop retention and hiring strategies to protect the fleet assets of business aircraft owners and operators."