Brandon Martini

About Brandon Martini

Hi, I’m Brandon Martini. I am an aviation entrepreneur, commercial pilot, and operator who has spent the last decade building and scaling businesses across the flight training ecosystem.I have worked in nearly every corner of aviation, including private credit student lending, flight school ownership and operations, aircraft maintenance, and large-scale aviation events. As Co-CEO of Stratus Financial, I have helped expand access to pilot training across the country while partnering with more than 430 flight schools in 38 states. Whether it is structuring future securitizations, developing funding models, or supporting schools with operational guidance, I have been deeply involved in helping students become pilots and helping operators grow sustainably.Beyond finance, I have built aviation businesses from the ground up. My work includes running day-to-day flight school operations, creating Part 141 programs, writing SOPs, advising founders, and developing national partnerships. I am hands-on, execution focused, and passionate about solving real problems for operators.At my core, I love the aviation community. I enjoy flying, teaching, mentoring, building programs that move the industry forward, and connecting with people who share the same drive. When I am not in the air or working on a business project, you will usually find me at a hangar, hosting a podcast, or enjoying a good wine with friends while tossing around new ideas.If you are building something meaningful in aviation, whether a startup, a school, or a new initiative, I am always open to connecting, sharing ideas, and exploring where we can work together.Let’s build the future of flight training.

Experience

1. Co-chief Executive Officer and Co-founder

   Stratus Financial

   Aug 2025 — Present · US

   As Co-CEO of Stratus Financial, I lead the strategic vision and operational execution of a company committed to transforming aviation education through innovative private lending solutions. In partnership with my fellow Co-CEO, I help guide our organization through rapid growth while maintaining a deep focus on student outcomes, partner relationships, and financial sustainability.Key Responsibilities: • Co-lead all executive-level decision making, strategic planning, and corporate governance • Oversee day-to-day operations across finance, credit, risk, and partnerships • Drive innovation in private credit underwriting models, risk mitigation, and portfolio performance • Expand national and international capital markets relationships to support loan funding and institutional growth • Foster high-impact partnerships with flight schools, credit unions, and aviation organizations • Champion a mission-driven culture focused on accessibility, integrity, and long-term success for future pilotsKey Achievements: • Spearheaded institutional capital initiatives, expanding lending capacity while optimizing cost of capital • Played a critical role in launching strategic partnerships across the flight training and financial sectors • Led internal initiatives to scale operational efficiency, reduce student default rates, and streamline credit processesStratus Financial is built For Pilots, By Pilots—and our mission is to remove financial barriers so the next generation of aviators can take flight.

Education

• Fullerton College

  International Business

  2006 — 2007

• NextGen Flight Academy

  Flight Instructor Airplane SE/ME/IFR - Commerical ASEL/AMEL/ASES/AMES Pilot with Instrument Rating, Aviation

  2014

• Diamond Ranch High School

  Diploma, General Studies

  2002 — 2006