Q&A with Raphael Haddad

Raphael Haddad, President – Jetcraft Commercial
Location: Montreal, Canada
[email protected]    +1 416 276 8295

How long have you been at Jetcraft?

I joined the Jetcraft team in January 2015 as the President of Jetcraft Commercial.

What are your responsibilities within the global Jetcraft team?

I am the focal point of anything related to commercial aircraft activity within the Jetcraft group. My focus is on aircraft that are for passenger service, not designated to be a VIP service. I work mainly with airlines and occasionally with corporations or on aircraft for military application.

I help customers and financiers (lessors or banks) to sell inventory that they have and to acquire inventory that they need.

My role is to facilitate transactions that meet the requirements and satisfy our customers, both buyers and sellers, and remains consistent with the high level of service that Jetcraft has extended to its existing customer base over the last 54 years.

Describe a typical day or week in your role.

I always check my emails and messages first thing in the morning to see if there is anything that needs my attention right away. My day typically includes a lot of calls with different customers, or face-to-face meetings if we happen to be in the same city. I may be meeting with financiers or lessors, and sometimes I’m talking to buyers or sellers. I love the variety of different people I meet and work with in the role and industry.

What do you love most about your job?

I am in a customer facing position that requires interactions with different cultures and different levels of executive and management, and different industry associates. It is like a family, everyone has the same goal to sell or acquire aircraft, based on the need of the customer.

Describe the company culture at Jetcraft and what it means to you?

Soon after joining Jetcraft, the opinion that I had had from the outside had been confirmed – the team is really one of hard working entrepreneurs, passionate about aviation and who thrive to do the transaction in the right way – making sure that both ends of the activity, buyer or seller, are both satisfied with the transaction. The highly motivated spirit and sense of camaraderie starts with the shareholders and filters down through top management and the whole team. Everybody puts in 150% because we all enjoy every minute.

What do you want your customers to experience when dealing with Jetcraft?

Simply, that they are in the best hands in the industry and we will do everything in our power to make sure they get the outcomes that they need.

Who or what has been your greatest professional influence?

There are quite a few people in the industry that have been strong influences, but I’m going to choose my father. He instilled in me the entrepreneurial spirit and a strong work ethic. He taught me that, of course, family comes first, and supporting them is everything. He also advised me not to settle for just any job, but to do something that is fulfilling to me and that I enjoy. I’m very lucky to have had a career that has delivered that.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Entrepreneur, family-man, committed

If you were to buy a business jet, which aircraft would suit your needs and why?

If I was flying it, I would choose a Learjet 75. It’s a great aircraft – fast and with a great takeoff performance. But if I were to choose a commercial aircraft I would choose a 777 300-ER because of its incredible range and comfort.

What stands out to you as good customer service?

When someone offers a service above what even your very best expectations had been, that’s great customer service.

Finally, what is your hidden talent or hobby?

I have a bit of a green thumb. I grow tomatoes and cucumbers at my house. I can’t grow too many because I’m not home a lot in the summer but it is a great hobby to have when I am there.