William "Bill" Korth
Managing Director
Bill is a seasoned executive who has spent most of his 40 years in aviation centered in the commercial aircraft sector and the associated maintenance needed for these aircraft. Primary in this, was the oversight and transformation of AAXICO from a regional surplus spare parts supplier into an internationally renowned distributor. As CEO he led the diversification into both the manufacturing and repair sectors, which offered customers a further enhancement in dealing with many of their critical maintenance components. With customer support and distribution centers anchored around the globe, robust relationships and contracts were developed and maintained through to 2012, when he agreed to merge the company with KAPCO.
Today, utilizing these experiences, Bill has established LongReach Aviation as a platform to continue a focus on aircraft and engine trading/leasing as well as adding LongReach Capital as a financing and real estate arm, and finally LongReach Foundation as a non-profit foundation to cooperate with worthy humanitarian efforts.
Melanie "Mel" Wood
Business Manager
Originally from England, Mel worked in Public Relations in central London for several years including having the privilege of working for one of Britain’s top fashion designers, Mary Quant, before moving to Florida in 1985.
She then worked in three very diverse industries – Powerboat Racing, Computers and Publishing eventually finding a permanent home in the aviation industry at AAXICO in 1991. Here she worked alongside Bill Korth in her multiple roles of Administration, Marketing, Global Trade Show Management and Travel for almost 25 years. Mel enjoyed working closely with AAXICO’s international offices in the UK, Singapore, China, Brazil and South Africa and developed a lifelong passion for travel.
In 2015, Mel joined LongReach where she manages and oversees its multiple business ventures of aviation, commercial real estate and philanthropy.
Melanie is also a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS # 1514791.