Young Entrepeneurial Council

Nick Tarascio, CEO of Ventura Air Services, a flight school and jet charter company, is reviving the thrill, prestige and sexiness of private aviation. By integrating his love of flight, musical talents and endless thirst for travel and adventure, he is connecting with a young generation long alienated by the aviation industry. Nick is FAA certified as a commercial pilot, an aircraft mechanic, an avionics installer and has logged in well over 2,000 hours of flight time. As an overachiever, he started his first company at 14, earned his pilot’s license at 16, was flying Learjets by 19 and earned a full scholarship to Polytechnic University’s computer engineering program. As a professional musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he has performed on a national tour with his band and released three albums as the front man of the group.