CCI Team / Contract Program Managers

Dennis A. Blackburn is the Founder and President of Corporate Concepts International, Inc. (CCI), a leading global aviation services firm established in 1979. CCI provides comprehensive corporate and commercial aviation services including aircraft and helicopter acquisitions and sales, leasing, appraisals, expert witness engagements, diminution-in-value analyses, pre-purchase inspections, import/export management, new aircraft completion oversight, insurance claims management, and aviation facilities development.

Under Dennis’s leadership, CCI has served corporations, financial institutions, airlines, and private clients worldwide, delivering ASA-compliant and customized appraisals of business and commercial aircraft, helicopters, engines, and aviation businesses. CCI conducts operational audits, asset technical reviews, repossession services, and safety assessments, supported by an internal three-member appraisal board to ensure valuation integrity. The firm operates through six U.S. and five international locations..

Dennis brings more than five decades of aviation leadership and operational experience. His background includes operating and managing corporate jet fleets, certifying and leading as President of a U.S. Part 121 domestic and international airline, and launching a nationwide EMS helicopter program in partnership with Airbus/Eurocopter. His experience also spans aircraft product development, major refurbishments, green aircraft completions, aviation real estate, FBO and MRO development, and airline and aviation business appraisals.  CCI is now adding the drone, anti-drone and UAV businesses and products to CCI's offerings through and business relationship with Kelley Aerospace, a 38 year old defense company who is moving from Singapore to Texas.

An Airline Transport Pilot with more than 19,000 accident- and violation-free flight hours, Dennis holds multiple type ratings and factory training across a broad range of corporate and commercial aircraft. He has served on advisory boards for Embraer, Bombardier, Lockheed, and North American Rockwell, contributing to the development of multiple aircraft programs.

Dennis holds a BA (Valedictorian) from Hawthorne College and an MA from Bradley University, with postgraduate executive studies at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He is a frequent lecturer, published aviation author, and former appointee to the Texas Board of Aviation. His professional affiliations include NBAA, ISTAT, NAFA, HAI, and AOPA.

 Brian Blackburn is the contract Director of Marketing for CCI and has been around and familiar with corporate and commercial aviation community since finishing graduate school with a Master's degree in global marketing.    Brian has extensive knowledge and expertise in business ownership, new business development and successfully building the marketing programs for aviation and non-aviation products at CCI.  Brian supports all the marketing of CCI and our clients with the individualized sales and marketing that is ideal for their objectives.

Contact Info:  (Tele: +1 510 759 4048)  (Email: b.blackburn@kelley.aero)

Larry's corporate and air carrier career has spanned almost four decades.  He has held and served in various technical leadership positions in the repair and maintenance of aircraft and helicopters, completion of virtually every model jet from the small jets to Boeing Business Jets and 767's.  Larry is an FAA certificated Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic with FAA Inspector Authorization.  Larry has delivered his services to clients throughout North America as well as on every continent.

Larry's leadership as the contract Program Leader for Technical Services brings to the CCI team the technical and engineering perspective on pre-purchase inspection definition, management and test flights.  He has managed and protected the client's best interests on new build aircraft from when the wings are first mated and power first added to the first flight.  On-site Larry and the CCI team are there to be sure no used parts or contaminated systems are installed, the workmanship is to the highest standards and the delivery schedule is kept on time line.  Under Larry's strictest supervision CCI clients are insured of the highest quality technical services in aircraft and helicopter acquisitions, sales, completions, modifications, evaluations/appraisals and expert witness work.  Larry additionally manages CCI's helicopter sales and acquisition programs.

Contact Info:  (Tele: +1 704 906 3755)  (Email: lwright@flycci.com)

Bob's experience in both general and commercial aviation spans over three decades and includes senior leadership and hands-on entrepreneurial experience in large and small enterprises, including FBOs, fueling, ground handling, aircraft servicing, fuel-trading, marketing, and commercial aviation enterprises.   Bob retired from the military in September 2003 as a US Army Colonel and has been closely involved with Founder Dennis Blackburn and Corporate Concepts International in a variety of advisory and consulting roles since its inception.

 Bob commands wide experience as a senior-level corporate and government generalist and problem solver.  In addition to aviation industry experience as leader of successful international FBO networks and later as VP Airport Services for a major Pacific air carrier, Bob has held pivotal government posts as Honolulu City Managing Director, and as Hawaii’s first chief of its tourism authority, among others.  Bob brings widely diversified experience to CCI as a business development and solutions provider for government and private enterprise on an international level.

 Bob holds an MBA and BA from the University of Hawaii (where he currently teaches as an adjunct professor) and has completed the NBAA/Darden Graduate School Aviation Management Course.  He has performed complex consulting missions in a variety of aviation disciplines, including mergers, financial valuations, corporate turnarounds, and marketing.

As a member of the CCI team, Bob  role as a contract Program Manager has him  focussing on CCI’s growing portfolio of clients seeking aviation business solutions, from local to global scale. 

Chris brings to CCI clients a comprehensive corporate, airline and military jet operational experience complemented with extensive aircraft finance, sales, acquisition, leasing and international business development experience and he is an ASA Senior Appraiser.   With over 35 years in the aviation industry, Chris is serving a diverse client base to achieve their corporate and airline sales, acquisitions, leasing and operational objectives.   

As a contract Program Manager focusing in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, MENA and Asian regions, Chris brings aa comprehensive expertise as he serves each client’s individual needs.  Understanding our aviation business is a relationship business, Chris is able to effectively stand in the client’s shoes and direct the necessary task to bring each client a boutique solution.  Chris’s comprehensive knowledge of corporate aircraft operations, market research, corporate aircraft and airliner acquisitions, sales, appraisals, operational audits, expert witness engagements, new product development, and advisory/consulting projects has earned him a worldwide client base.

Prior to working for CCI, Chris worked closely with the Saudi civil aviation authority (GACA) and has maintained his relationships throughout the Kingdom as well with other authorities in the Middle East.  Chris has also served as the Director of Business Development for an asset-based corporate aviation finance company, which was foundational to his financial and leasing advisory service to clients..  Chris’ operational experience as a Command Pilot in numerous Boeing and Airbus aircraft, blended with his previous corporate aircraft finance expertise, and aircraft sales experience allows him a diverse set of skills to deliver client-centered service to CCI’s clients.

Chris’ roots in aviation started in service of his country as a 1986 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and a Master’s degree in Systems Administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.

From his current base in Raleigh, North Carolina, Chris serves clients in Asia, India, South America, Russia and MENA with an individualized commitment to achieving client goals and that has earned him a reputation for performance and integrity that is second to none in the industry.

Contact Information:  (Tele: +1 919-264-6212)  (Email: czarnik@flycci.com)

Brenda’s experience in both general and commercial aviation spans over 40 years. She began her career in Texas’ in corporate aviation flying for several Fortune 500 companies. Brenda flew various premium business jets including Falcons and Gulfstreams. She also instructed at Flight Safety in Houston, Texas on the Gulfstream. In the mid-90s Brenda met Dennis Blackburn and worked with him for several years and served management clients as a pilot, conducting aircraft appraisals, aircraft sales and aircraft acquisitions. Also, Brenda was part of the TransMeridian Airline certification with new Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Brenda is a retired Southwest Airlines Captain. One of her career highlights was personally flying the Southwest CEO and founder, Herb Kelleher. Brenda is also a member of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots, Women in Aviation, and the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, where she was the Caption Chair for 5 years. She continues to mentor and inspire young aviators all over the world. Brenda holds a BS in Aviation Management with an emphasis in Business from the University of Central Texas.     

Brenda is now CCI's contract Program Manager focusing on Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions, Aircraft Appraisals, and CCI Drone, Anti-Drone and UAV businesses.  Brenda is based in Northeast Tennessee. 

Contact Information:  (Tele: +1 304-620-2076 )  (Email: bren737@comcast.net)