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Sunset Aviation moving to Petaluma

THEATER DISTRICT TO BE 'NERVE CENTER' FOR GROWING AIRCRAFT CHARTER COMPANY

PETALUMA – Sunset Aviation will move its headquarters from a small facility at the Marin Airport to the downtown Petaluma theater district in early June, according to president and CEO Dan Drohan.

About 20 employees of the fast-growing aircraft charter and management company will initially occupy the new 6,000-square-foot location at 201 First St.

Executive management, company accounting, flight scheduling, dispatcher and customer service as well as internal maintenance control and flight management will all take place at the new corporate headquarters.

The company, founded by Mr. Drohan in 1992, has been spread between Novato and Santa Rosa, with operations at the Concord, Novato, Santa Rosa and Sacramento airports. The Hayward airport will be added in a month.

"We'll retain our offices in Novato and Santa Rosa and continue to have staff monitoring at the airports, but it's time to have a nerve center," Mr. Drohan said.

25 miles like 250

Having the operations scattered has been a strain, he said.

"That 25 miles between Novato and Santa Rosa may as well be 250 miles as far as we were concerned," said Mr. Drohan.

His company worked with Scott Stranzl of Basin Street Properties to find the new location in the heart of Petaluma's downtown redevelopment area.

"For me, it was an emotional issue to leave the airport. I'm accustomed to looking out the window and seeing airplanes. But airports are somewhat isolated. Most of our employees welcome the chance to walk to a restaurant and shopping," he said.

Sunset Aviation has about 70 full-time and 20 part-time employees and operates a fleet of 30 planes, including King Airs, Citations and Hawkers. Corporate customers provide the bulk of the company's business.

The company doesn't disclose revenues, but it has been experiencing 50 percent annual growth. It was named the nation's ninth-largest charter and management company by the industry publication "Aviation International News."

Company has coveted ranking

Mr. Drohan attributes Sunset Aviation's success to word of mouth, customer service and its ranking as an ARG/US Platinum operator, one of 36 worldwide to be awarded the coveted aircraft quality and safety standing.

The company is currently investigating possible expansion to Southern California and perhaps Utah.

Mr. Drohan lives in Petaluma, and several of his employees have been drawn to rent homes there because of the move.

"Basin Street did a fantastic job. It's a great building, and the efficiencies we'll realize by being headquartered here will put us in a better position for growth," he said.

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