A lifelong aviation enthusiast who joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in 2007, Curt came to&nbsp;the publication&nbsp;from the broadcast industry where he was a national science and technology television reporter and producer. He writes on the FBO field, aviation finance, and sustainable aviation and occasionally contributes to&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;sister publication&nbsp;Business Jet Traveler. Curt was a member of the AINtv reporting staff that won the 2008 Aerospace Journalist of the Year award for Best Airshow Daily. That same year, he was a finalist for another AJOYA award. He earned an AJOYA for Best Business Aviation Submission in 2018 and was a finalist in that category in 2021. He received the National Air Transportation Association’s&nbsp; Aviation Journalist Award in 2012 and won a Pegasus Sapphire Business Aviation Award for outstanding journalism in 2021.
Before joining AIN, Curt worked with&nbsp;Consumer Reports’ television division, CRTV, and for several local television news staffs. An honors graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University in 1995. Curt lives in New York State with his wife and two young sons.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Just days after Signature Aviation was <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-06-08/signature-aviation-now-under-new-ownership">acquired by a consortium</a> of private equity firms including Blackstone, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Cascade Investments, company CEO Mark Johnstone was replaced by president and COO Tony Lefebvre, who moved into the position as interim CEO.

 


Johnstone had been with the company for more than 13 years, holding a variety of leadership roles, including EMEA managing director, group corporate development director, and global CFO, before taking the reins as CEO in January 2018.

 


With a background in airline operations, Lefebvre joined the then-BBA Aviation in 2013 as president and COO of its former ASIG commercial aviation services division. He was also responsible for the company’s <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-07-06/standardaero-wraps-signatures-ero-buy">since-</a><a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-07-06/standardaero-wraps-signatures-ero-buy">divested global engine services</a>&nbsp;operation, as well as the Signature TechnicAir maintenance division.

 


Signature operates the world’s largest network of FBOs—more than 200 locations worldwide—between its owned facilities and those independent locations branded under its Signature Select affiliate program.

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Signature Aviation Sees Change in Leadership

Days after Signature Aviation was acquired by a consortium of private equity firms, CEO Mark Johnstone was replaced by president and COO Tony Lefebvre.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Airport last owned the facility in the early 2000s

Illinois Airport Reacquires Sole Service Provider

The complex is viewed as the cornerstone of an aviation conglomerate

Major Las Vegas Hangar Complex Changes Hands

Projects totaled more than $5 million in infrastructure development

Oklahoma Airport Gets More Hangars, Upgraded Ramp

The facility will lean heavily towards sustainability

Clay Lacy Aviation Starts Construction on New KSNA FBO

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More In FBOs

Illinois Airport Reacquires Sole Service Provider

Airport last owned the facility in the early 2000s

Major Las Vegas Hangar Complex Changes Hands

The complex is viewed as the cornerstone of an aviation conglomerate

Oklahoma Airport Gets More Hangars, Upgraded Ramp

Projects totaled more than $5 million in infrastructure development

Clay Lacy Aviation Starts Construction on New KSNA FBO

The facility will lean heavily towards sustainability

NATA Panel Examines FBO Preparation for eVTOL Service

OEMs and FBOs talk about how electric aircraft can be accommodated at FBOs

NATA Conference Panel Examines FBO Consolidation

While the big chains take a more selective approach, others remain hungry

Atlantic Aviation Gets Lease Renewal Approval in Aspen

The decision is the latest in a nearly two-year saga at the airport

Clay Lacy Aviation Gets Nod for Sun Valley FBO

Construction is expected to begin next year

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