Transportation 2023: JOHN CUOMO

In 2019, Cuomo took the helm of VSE, which provides aftermarket distribution and maintenance, repair and overhaul services for government and commercial customers in land, sea and air transportation.

This year, VSE made some significant strategic moves, including acquiring Desser Aerospace’s distribution and maintenance, repair and operations sectors in July for $124 million. It also entered into into an agreement in May to sell VSE’s federal and defense segments for up to $100 million to Bernhard Capital Partners. Following the Desser acquistion, VSE sold its proprietary solutions businesses to aerospace systems and parts manufacturer Loar Group for $30 million.

The acquisition and sales were part of a strategy to simplify VSE into two segments: a division supporting aviation and fleet distribution, and another responsible for maintenance, repair and operations.

Cuomo came to VSE with deep aerospace experience, including serving as vice president and general manager for Boeing Distribution Services after it acquired KLX Aerospace Solution, where he had served as a group president and general manager. He has a law degree from the University of Miami and an MBA from the University of Florida and completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.