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. The $2B company’s nearly 5,000 employees serve customers across more than 60 sites.
Since joining AAR in 2001, Holmes has grown the Company through multiple acquisitions, including Airinmar, Premier Aviation, and Trax. Under his leadership, AAR launched a Digital Services organization, earned recognition as one of America’s greatest workplaces, and received FAA acceptance of its corporate safety management system program. Holmes was named President of AAR in 2017, CEO in 2018, and Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors in 2023.
In 2024, Holmes was elected to the Board of GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX). Holmes is also active civically and philanthropically. He serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Aerospace Industries Association and the Boards of the Economic Club of Chicago, Executives Club of Chicago, World Business Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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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