Who We Serve
Essex Aviation takes a white-glove approach to private aviation consulting, providing our clients with the unbiased expertise, confidentiality and comprehensive service they need.
Proudly Supporting Clients for 10+ Years
Essex Aviation has proudly served family offices, wealth management and private banking groups and high-net-worth individuals for over a decade, many of whom came to us as referrals based on the strength of our reputation.
As a fully independent operation, we don’t accept commissions or referral fees from third parties, so you can trust that you’re receiving honest, unbiased advice. And with over 100 years of combined industry experience to our name, we’ve seen it all and can leverage our unparalleled expertise to create tailored solutions that meet your needs, both now and in the future. Ultimately, our objective is to evolve our services over time so that we become your consultancy of choice not just for the here and now, but for the long term.
Who We Serve
Family Offices
Whether you have extensive experience working with clients who own private aircraft, or it’s your very first time assisting a client with private aviation services, you need the support of a team with proven expertise that can see the full picture. Not only will we work with you and your client to identify the utilization model that best meets their travel requirements, but we’ll also manage the entire process and present viable options to your client. Whether it’s refurbishing their existing aircraft, acquiring a new model or exploring fractional or charter programs, we’ll ensure your client’s needs are fully met, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.
Wealth Management & Private Banking Groups
Navigate the complexities of private aviation with confidence with Essex Aviation at your side. We bring a wealth of experience to every engagement, which we leverage to assess the unique needs of your clients and find a suitable utilization model. In addition to our standard services, we can assist you and your clients with cost and asset management, helping to optimize fixed and operating costs and to oversee every aspect of managing your client's new aircraft, from final delivery and acceptance to future resale.
High-Net-Worth Individuals
Private aviation is an exciting opportunity for high-net-worth individuals, offering you a stress-free experience and the freedom to fly wherever you want, whenever you want. Through transportation, cost and market analyses, we'll work closely with you to determine which utilization model and aircraft meet your unique travel requirements. But our engagement doesn't end there — we'll leverage our extensive experience and industry connections to help you secure an aircraft, enter it into service, find the right management company and more.
Public & Private Corporations
Whether your corporation is looking to expand its existing fleet, reevaluate its current utilization model or make its very first foray into the world of private aviation, Essex’s consultants are prepared to provide professional guidance every step of the way. We’ll work closely with your team to understand your business aviation goals, preferences and past experience, creating a tailored solution that serves your corporation’s travel requirements both now and in the future.
Our Services
New Aircraft Acquisition
Get the insight and expertise to confidently navigate the design, purchase, final delivery and acceptance of your new private aircraft.
Pre-Owned Aircraft Acquisition
We have the proven expertise to guide you through the pre-owned acquisition process, creating a streamlined and stress-free experience.
Aircraft Refurbishment
From fielding project proposals and reviewing design options to overseeing final production, we’ll see you through every stage of the refurbishment process.
Aircraft Completion Management
Ensure that your new aircraft meets all of your unique requirements and specifications with full-service completion management.
Private Jet Charter
Get flexible options and travel according to your schedule — on any private aircraft model — with the right charter program.
Private Jet Lease
Essex can evaluate lease arrangements, define lease terms and oversee negotiations on your behalf, ensuring your final contract meets all of your stated needs.
Fractional Aircraft Ownership
Create an ownership model that best services your needs and schedule with fractional shares — we can help you get started.
Membership & Card Programs
Enjoy the freedom to fly when you want, without the capital investment of acquisition — Essex can help you fully consider your options.
Business & Corporate Aviation Consulting
We bring decades of experience to the table to help corporations find the ideal match for their transportation needs.
Aircraft Financing & Consulting
Easily navigate the complexities of financing and identify the financing arrangement that best meets your needs.
Meet the Team
President & CEO
H. Lee Rohde, III
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Mr. Lee Rohde is the founder, President and CEO of Essex Aviation Group, Inc. (Essex), a broad-based business and private aviation aircraft acquisition and consulting firm located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Lee brings over 30 years of experience in financial and operational analysis, manufacturing, distribution and corporate business development. He advises aviation related clients on a wide range of aircraft acquisition, strategic planning, financial, operational and management matters.
Executive Vice President
Thomas W. Mitchell
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Mr. Thomas W. Mitchell, Executive Vice President of Essex Aviation Group, Inc., leverages over 45 years of experience in the business aviation industry. Tom’s many roles and responsibilities have encompassed flight operations support, technical evaluations, aircraft management and numerous projects that integrate and optimize private aircraft to better support both business and personal use.
Executive Vice President
Michael J. Moore
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Mike Moore leverages three decades of experience in private aviation to meet the needs of Essex’s clients. His expertise extends to aircraft sales, acquisitions, chartering and partnering with ultra-high-net worth clients to find their ideal aviation solution. Mike’s previous leadership positions include Manager of Charter Sales for PrivatAir; President and Co-founder of Infinity Aviation Group & VP of Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions at FirstFlight; and VP of Aviation Sales with Signature Aviation
Why Essex?
Unbiased
We accept no commissions, referral fees or any other forms of compensation from any third parties. At Essex, we work solely for our clients, offering unbiased and uncompromised advice.
Unparalleled Expertise
Lee Rohde, Tom Mitchell and Mike Moore have been working in the aviation business for a combined 100+ years. Passionate about aviation since they were young, Lee, Tom and Mike provide a unique combination of experience and a wealth of unparalleled knowledge while advocating for their clients’ interests.
Confidential
We are committed to protecting the privacy of our clients. Every agreement we enter into includes privacy and confidentiality clauses, which are strictly adhered to by every member of Essex Aviation.
Honest & Fair
We’re a well-respected consumer advocate within the aviation industry, known for our character and honesty. It is our desire to form and maintain long-term relationships with our clients and remain accountable for the analysis and support of past and ongoing decisions.
Our Testimonials
Our Clients Say It Best
“Essex Aviation’s guidance and data analysis was crucial to our successful first CJ3 lease and later our CJ4 purchase. The expertise of Essex allowed us to understand more fully our flight metrics, history, costs and how to match our future aviation needs with available options in a way that would not have been possible on our own.”
Alexandra Glazier, President and CEO
New England Donor Services
“I engaged Essex Aviation to prepare an analysis of large cabin aircraft that best met my needs. Their process was comprehensive and thorough. After an exhaustive search of available aircraft, they represented me on the acquisition, negotiation and importation of a long range aircraft and then oversaw a comprehensive customization of the entire plane. Throughout the process, Essex was a knowledgeable, trustworthy and detail oriented partner.”
Daniel R.
“Lee and Tom are the dynamic duo you've been looking for. Their collective skills provide exacting coverage on every detail needed when considering an airplane purchase or refurbishment. I worked with them on a lengthy process, from identification of plane, purchase, full refurbishment, staff assignments thru delivery. I was never once disappointed. Perfect personalities for even the pickiest of clients!”
Heidi M.
“Essex Aviation facilitated an end-of-lease process for a large aircraft and assisted us with structuring a subsequent lease extension. The transactions had several challenging issues that required expert counseling and negotiation. The Essex team is friendly, prompt, easy to work with, and most importantly, simply the best at what they do. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
Joe Stone, CFO
Sartini Enterprises, Inc.
“Throughout my career as a family office executive, Essex Aviation has been my go to aviation expert. Lee and Tom have guided me through the most complex aircraft acquisition while being able to meet difficult client deadlines. The Essex team has provided key analysis ranging from the mundane, such as the interpretation of the placement of a placard on an aircraft to negotiations relating to an engine care program. Lee and Tom are key partners in all aspects of family office aviation matters.”
John Castrucci, Family Office Executive & Founder
Global Family Office Advisors
“We had a very positive experience with Essex. We found them to be competent, professional and objective. They dedicated a significant amount of time to providing an extremely insightful evaluation of our aircraft division. The report detailed strengths and weaknesses in our operation, together with constructive recommendations . They interacted very well with the staff and were able to elicit accurate and honest information.”
Michael M.
Northeast based Family Office
“Lee, Tom and the team at Essex have worked with us over the years on a variety of fixed wing, rotor and other special projects, performing to superior standards throughout. We initially went through an industry downselect to compete them against their peers and they surfaced as the best fit for us. We continue to be very happy with the relationship.”
Mike D.
Northeast Based Family Office
“Knowledgeable. Informed. Competent. Thorough. Practical. Candid. Professional. Responsive. Efficient.”
Tony R., CFO
Northeast Based Family Office
Additional Resources
How to Find the Ideal Aircraft Management Company
Which management company you work with is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an aircraft owner — here’s what you need to know.
Private Jet Interior Design Considerations [+ Examples]
Refurbishing your private aircraft? Here are some of the most popular design options, plus some important things to keep in mind.
Essex Aviation Assists Client with Off-Market Sale of GV
Find out how Essex Aviation went the extra mile for a family office client — managing both sides of an aircraft sale and acquisition — in this announcement.
Ask These Questions Before Making Your Next Aviation Decision
Private aviation offers numerous benefits, but each service option comes with its pros and cons. Find out whether a membership/card program, charter, fractional or dedicated aircraft model is right for you — and how a private aviation consultant can help you make an informed decision — in this free eBook.