Jennifer Pickerel

President

Jennifer E. Pickerel is an exceptional thought leader in business aviation with a deep understanding of the workforce challenges facing organizations today. A skillful communicator, she builds relationships, inspires confidence and unites teams.

As president of Aviation Personnel International (API), the longest-running business aviation recruitment and HR solutions firm, Jennifer leads a team that provides proprietary, data-driven strategies to help aviation organizations become and remain employers of choice.

Since joining API in 2015, Jennifer has held several leadership roles, including director of candidate services, director of client services and vice president. During her tenure, she has enhanced nearly every aspect of the organization, from team development to client engagement. Today, she oversees API’s staff, culture and strategy, along with executive recruitment projects and new program development.

Regularly quoted in aviation media, Jennifer authors industry articles and speaks at national and regional events on topics such as organizational health, employee attraction and retention, compensation trends, leadership and the link between culture and safety.

Jennifer serves on the NBAA Advisory Council, Bombardier Safety Standdown Advisory Council and HigherVets’ Board of Directors. A former member of NBAA's Business Aviation Management Committee, she chaired its Endeavor Working Group and previously served on NBAA's Maintenance Committee.

Active across multiple professional organizations, Jennifer is involved with the International Women’s Forum Wisconsin chapter, International Aviation Women’s Association, Minnesota Business Aviation Association, Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance and Women in Corporate Aviation. Through her partnership and volunteerism with Minnesota State University, Mankato, she mentors students through resume reviews, mock interviews and career coaching.

Before joining API, Jennifer advanced through leadership roles at MedAire, an International SOS company. A distinguished graduate of the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Program, she completed coursework at INSEAD Business School and Harvard Business School. She also attended an executive education program in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.