Executive Director (Grand Rapids, MI)
A self-proclaimed “avgeek,” Justin Ellixson-Andrews has spent his career advocating for others and helping to open doors for underrepresented communities within the field of aviation. As a kid, he was always enthralled by planes, never missing an opportunity to sign up for a discovery flight at a nearby airshow. It was after Justin's first commercial flight at age 6 that his parents would learn his infatuation reached far beyond airshows and would later develop into a lifelong career.
Justin has held various positions within the aviation industry including Director of Sales, Director of Admissions, and Regional Talent Acquisition Partner. Prior to joining NGPA, he was the Head of Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development for JSX, a hop-on jet service. Justin was responsible for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) recruitment and retention strategy, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and community outreach programs, as well as establishing and maintaining relationships with industry partners like NGPA, Colleges and Universities, and trade schools. Justin also served as Chair of the company’s employee resource group, advocating on behalf of the entire workforce on policies including LGBTQ+ inclusion and minority equality.
Justin attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he earned a Bachelors in Aeronautics, a Masters in Leadership, and a Private Pilot Certificate. He currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his husband, Kyle, and their 'dog-child', Bernhardt or "Bernie" for short.