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. An effective and skillful communicator, she has the unique ability to build relationships, inspire confidence and unite teams.

As President of Aviation Personnel International, the longest-running business aviation recruitment and HR solutions firm, Jennifer and the API team provide proprietary data-driven solutions to help aviation organizations become and remain an “employer of choice.”

Since joining API in 2015, Pickerel has steadily progressed in the company, assuming key roles that included Director of Candidate Services, Director of Client Services, and, most recently, Vice President. Throughout her tenure, she has made substantial improvements in nearly every area of the organization. Her expanded responsibilities now include leading API's growing staff, overseeing marketing efforts and developing new program offerings.

Regularly quoted in aviation media publications, Pickerel also authors industry articles and speaks at regional and national events on a wide range of topics, including cultural development; employee attraction and retention; and the importance of embracing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).

She is Chair of the National Business Aviation Association’s “Endeavor” Working Group, and serves on Bombardier’s Safety Standdown Advisory Council. She’s also a member of the NBAA Business Aviation Management Committee and a former member of the NBAA Maintenance Committee. She is a member of the International Aviation Women’s Association, the Minnesota Business Aviation Association and Women in Corporate Aviation. Through her relationship with Minnesota State University in Minnesota, she works one-on-one with students to conduct resume reviews, mock interviews, and offer career and salary advice.

Before joining API, Pickerel advanced through various leadership roles at MedAire, an International SOS company. She is a distinguished graduate of the prestigious International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Program, having completed residence coursework at both INSEAD Business School and Harvard Business School. Additionally, she attended an executive education program focused on DEIB at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Pickerel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.