Paramount Business Jets
Jan. 7, 2016
Paramount Business Jets, a worldwide aircraft charter provider and NBAA member, recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary by establishing a new scholarship opportunity for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students considering careers in aviation.
Richard Zaher, CEO of Paramount Business Jets, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University alumnus and the 2012 recipient of the university’s Alumni Eagle of Excellence Award, noted that for some students the decision of whether to stay in school or not can come down to a few thousand dollars and many students work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
After college, new graduates often continue to struggle financially as entry-level jobs are often low-paying, and pilots need to build time in order to land higher-paying jobs.
“Aviation is a very competitive industry with very low-paying jobs to start after graduation,” said Zaher. “The Paramount Business Jets Scholarship is meant to alleviate some of the burden college tuition places on the next generation of aviation professionals.”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach campus full-time junior and senior students, enrolled in the College of Business with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply for the Paramount Business Jets scholarship.
“Embry-Riddle is grateful to Richard and the entire [Paramount Business Jets] family for not just standing on the tarmac and watching our students take flight, yet grab hold of the yoke and help Eagles soar,” said Lyndse Costabile, ERAU’s director of corporate relations and development.
In addition to sponsoring the scholarship, Virginia-based Paramount Business Jets supports young professionals through a six-month mentorship program.
“As an industry, we need to keep an eye on what kind of future we are helping to create,” said Zaher. “We need to support young people for our industry to have a more successful future.”