Banyan Air Service Executive Team
Don Campion was born a missionary kid in Nigeria, West Africa, where he routinely flew aboard Cessna and Piper aircraft to attend classes at a Protestant American boarding school. He grew up in an environment where they installed their own electric generators, wells for water, built their own homes and furniture as they lived alongside the nationals.
Don moved to Toronto, Canada where he attended Seneca College, a four-year aviation course which also included a commercial, multiengine pilot’s license then followed by one year of aircraft maintenance, which would later prove to help him in the founding of Banyan Air Service.
In 1979 Don moved to South Florida having seen the aviation opportunities available to a young person with a passion to grow in the aviation field. Within weeks he contracted as a co-pilot for a small charter operation flying primarily to the Bahamas. As a charter pilot, Don quickly realized there was opportunity for a maintenance facility to service the aircraft he was flying and that of other similar charter companies.
With one small hangar, one friend, and two employees, he began servicing aircraft at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport establishing Banyan Air Service.
Now with over 160 teammates, Don views his job as a coach. He strives to find people who love aviation, people who will accept responsibility for the company’s success and discipline themselves to grow using their God-given talents in a fun environment that pursues operational excellence.
Don is driven by the values of focusing on the customer, honesty, teamwork, and believes that God blesses people and businesses that honor Him.
Don served on the NATA Board from 1999 to 2002, is president of the FXE Airport Association, and serves on the Everglades University Aviation’s Program Advisory Committee. In June 2009, he was inducted into the Florida Aviation Trades Association Entrepreneurial Excellence Hall of Fame.
Mike O’Keeffe joined Banyan Air Service in 1996 and is responsible for aircraft sales and acquisition services. Prior to that, Mike served in a variety of managerial positions with the company, including vice president of aircraft maintenance, general manager and director of operations. Mike’s experience has been in the areas of aircraft maintenance management, sales and customer support.
Mike began his career in corporate aviation after receiving a private pilot’s license in 1981. He currently holds an Airline Transport Pilot license (ATP), instrument, multi-engine land and sea plane ratings along with type ratings in King Air 300/350 Turboprops, Citation 500 series jets and the HondaJet. He also has experience in operating most turboprop and light jet aircraft.
Mike served as past Chairman of International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) and was a member of the Fort Lauderdale Executive’s Association. He holds an undergraduate degree in finance and a Master’s of Business Administration from Embry Riddle University.
Jim Barcel, Banyan’s chief financial officer, was a licensed certified public accountant (CPA) in both Florida and New York prior to entering the private sector. He has experience in taxation, auditing and financial management.
With his diverse financial background, Jim has been essential to Banyan’s growth and financial stability since he joined the company in 1995. Prior to that, Jim served as a controller for a diversified holding company and an exercise equipment manufacturer in Florida.
Jon has more than 30 years of experience in the business aviation industry and has worked in line service at multiple FBO facilities around the nation. As a Minnesota native, Jon began his aviation career as the line service technician at North Country Aviation in Duluth.
Since joining the Banyan team in 2005 as a Line Service Manager, Jon has led and supported the team in building customer loyalty through service excellence in a work environment where the teammates enjoy their work because they have accepted responsibility for the success of Banyan.
Charlie received his A&P License in 2002 and joined the Banyan team in the apprenticeship program in 2003. He worked in the piston division until it was sold to EAM in 2004. Charlie rejoined the Banyan team in 2006 and has been promoted multiple times in recognition of the talent and capabilities that he brings to Banyan. From an Apprentice Technician to a Crew Leader then advancing to the Director of Maintenance and now to his current role as VP/Director of MRO Services, Charlie excelled in each role.