John M. Holmes
Chairman, President and CEO
Biography
John M. Holmes is Chairman, President and CEO of AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading aviation services provider to commercial and government customers worldwide. The $2.8B company serves customers in 100+ countries, with nearly 8,000 employees working across more than 40 AAR sites.
Since joining AAR in 2001, Holmes has held various leadership roles before being named President of AAR in 2017, CEO in 2018, and Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors in 2023. He has grown the global Company through multiple acquisitions, including Airinmar, Premier Aviation, Trax, Triumph Group’s Product Support business, Aerostrat, ADI American Distributors, HAECO Americas, and Aircraft Reconfig Technologies—sharpening AAR’s portfolio to become the premier Parts, Repair, and Software platform in the aviation aftermarket. Under Holmes’ leadership, AAR has delivered record returns, received FAA acceptance of its corporate safety management system program, and become a top employer, earning recognition as one of America’s greatest workplaces.
Holmes currently serves on the Board of GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX). Active civically and philanthropically, he also serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Aerospace Industries Association and as the Chairman of Columbia College Chicago’s Board of Trustees. Additionally, he participates on the Boards of the Commercial Club of Chicago, Executives’ Club of Chicago, World Business Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Illinois Economic Development Corporation.
Prior to joining AAR, Holmes worked in investment banking and private equity. He earned a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
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