MRO Americas 2025: Connecting with Pilot John International

The MRO Americas conference, held April 8-10, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, was a pivotal event for the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul industry. At WTP Advisors, we—Brian Schwam and Jim Fyrie—were excited to attend this premier gathering, engaging with industry professionals and sharing our expertise in Transfer Pricing and IC-DISC. One of our most engaging interactions was with Mac Hussey, Aviation Specialist at Pilot John International (PJI), whose business card we collected during the conference.

Exploring Global Opportunities with Pilot John International

Pilot John International, a company focused on aviation parts distribution and services, had a notable presence at MRO Americas. Meeting Mac Hussey offered a great opportunity to explore how WTP Advisors could support their operations, particularly in the global aviation market. Jim Fyrie initiated our conversation, introducing our Transfer Pricing services, which help companies like PJI manage their intercompany transactions across international markets with precision and compliance. At this introductory stage, we provided Mac with a brief overview of the potential benefits and cost-savings that could be achieved by employing our transfer pricing strategies.

Mac shared that Pilot John International frequently engages in global distribution, making financial compliance a key priority. Brian Schwam elaborated on how our Transfer Pricing strategies ensure that cross-border transactions are priced appropriately, aligning with global tax regulations while optimizing profitability. For a company like PJI, which likely deals with international suppliers and clients, Transfer Pricing can streamline operations and reduce risks. This reduces the administrative burden on their compliance team and ensures they avoid costly penalties or audits from regulatory bodies. Mac appreciated the potential of Transfer Pricing to support their business, noting that their global operations had increased the complexity of their financial strategies. He expressed that navigating the varying tax regulations and compliance requirements across different jurisdictions was a challenge they were actively seeking solutions for.

Introducing Tax Optimization Through IC-DISC

Our discussion then shifted to tax optimization, where WTP Advisors’ IC-DISC services proved highly relevant. Jim Fyrie explained how an IC-DISC (Interest Charge-Domestic International Sales Corporation) can help PJI lower their tax liability on export income. With their business model centered on distributing aviation parts globally, an IC-DISC could provide significant tax savings, enabling them to reinvest in their operations or expand their market reach. Mac was intrigued, recognizing the value of IC-DISC for their export-focused strategy. He inquired further about the qualification criteria and the process of setting up an IC-DISC, showing keen interest in exploring this option further.

At MRO Americas, we also discussed the aviation industry’s supply chain challenges, a topic Mac was passionate about. Pilot John International’s role in providing critical parts for MRO activities underscored the importance of financial efficiency. Brian Schwam emphasized how Transfer Pricing could support their supply chain by ensuring compliance and aligning pricing strategies with business goals. This would enable them to maintain profitability while remaining competitive in the market. Mac noted that maintaining cost efficiency while scaling globally was a priority, and our insights offered a clear path forward. He acknowledged that the complexities of global supply chains often lead to hidden costs and inefficiencies, and was open to exploring how our expertise could help them address these challenges.

The Atlanta conference provided the perfect platform for this exchange, fostering connections that could lead to meaningful partnerships. We explored PJI’s vision for future growth, including their focus on expanding their global footprint in the aviation sector. Mac’s goals aligned well with WTP Advisors’ mission to empower aviation businesses through financial clarity, and we left the conversation excited about the potential to collaborate. We discussed the possibility of conducting a preliminary assessment of their current financial strategies and identifying areas where our services could add value.

Reflecting on our time at MRO Americas, we’re eager to explore how we can support Pilot John International’s ambitions. At WTP Advisors, we specialize in helping aviation companies achieve success through services like Transfer Pricing and IC-DISC. For more on how we can assist, visit www.wtpadvisors.com. We are confident that our expertise can help PJI navigate the complexities of the global aviation market, optimize their financial strategies, and achieve sustainable growth.