Bob Harpin

Bob Harpin doesn’t do the status quo. With nearly 40 years of experience leading Fortune 500 flight departments, he’s known for shaking things up. He says “no” when it matters. And he achieves results that stick.

Bob’s the guy who runs toward the fire, tackles the heat head-on, and comes out with the flames under control. He thrives in chaos.

But he’s not just about flying planes—though he’s racked up 13,000 flight hours as an international captain. Bob’s mission is to drive change from the flight deck to the boardroom. He took a department plagued by mechanical interruptions and slashed them to zero. Transformed a culture of silence into a team that speaks up and solves problems. Boosted aircraft availability from 78% to 98%. And cut deadhead flights in half—all without breaking a sweat.

His secret? Bob knows success is built on people, processes and a no-nonsense approach to leadership. He’s led over 100 aviation pros worldwide, transforming teams with a blend of courageous conversations and empowerment. For one such company, he rebuilt the aviation department, doubled its flights and didn’t ask for a single dollar more in budget.

He’s not afraid to make change or push back—because he knows that’s where real progress happens. As an advisor to Gulfstream Aerospace, Bob’s recommendations have influenced decisions that changed the industry.