Brooke Knapp

 

Brooke Knapp has made tremendous contributions in many fields, including aviation, real estate, civic leadership, environmental entrepreneurship, international women’s causes and children’s charities. 

 Knapp made her mark in business as founder and president of Jet Airways, Inc., an aircraft management company which she headed for eight years.  She then turned to real estate and accumulated a nationwide portfolio that includes income-producing as well as citrus production properties, some of which she has developed into commercial projects.  A licensed realtor, she currently is associated with Sotheby’s International Realty in Beverly Hills and specializes in residential estates in the most desirable communities on Los Angeles’ Westside.

 As a pilot, Knapp has secured a place in the aviation record books by setting or breaking more than 100 world aviation speed records including the fastest speed around the world in a civilian jet aircraft in a Gulfstream III.  Her “Flight for World’s Children” flew through the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union delivering letters of peace and friendship from children in the United States to children around the world and raised almost $1 million for UNICEF.

 An active civic leader, Knapp served as Chair of the California Commission on Aviation and Airports and on the Board of Directors of the National Aeronautic Association.  She sat on two influential state organizations, the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy (Little Hoover Commission) and the California Coastal Commission.  Currently she is a member of the Board of Directors and President of The Trusteeship, the Southern California chapter of the International Women’s Forum.  She also serves as a Director of the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills.  

 In addition to graduating Summa Cum Laude from UCLA, Knapp has been recognized with two honorary doctorate degrees and numerous honors and awards.  Among these are: the Federal Aviation Award for Extraordinary Service, the Harmon Trophy, the Paul Tissandier Award of La Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Paris, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Kitty Hawk Award, and the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management Distinguished Leadership Award.  Dr. Warren Bennis, world authority on leadership, chose Knapp as a subject for his book, On Becoming a Leader.  

 A well known speaker, Knapp has addressed the Cadet Wing of the Air Force Academy, the National Aerospace Congress, Rotary International, and major corporations.  She also has made numerous television appearances including Good Morning America and Larry King Live.

 Among her other career activities, Knapp served as President of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce where she was instrumental in preserving the organization’s rights to two worldwide icons, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign.   Previously she was Vice President of Golden State Newsprint, an environmental leader in the recycling of newsprint.

 An avid aerobatic pilot and golfer, Knapp is a member of the Explorers Club and the Bel-Air Country Club.

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