AeroStar

What AeroStar does

AeroStar Consulting Corporation is a Chicago-based non-profit founded in 2008 by Tammera Holmes that provides professional leadership training and aviation-focused management consulting through education centers, serving students, academic institutions, and aviation industry organizations. The company's core offerings include the Aviation Academic Initiative (AAI) Pipeline, a K-12 through collegiate career pathway developed in partnership with the FAA Great Lakes Region, Tuskegee Airmen Chicago DODO Chapter, OBAP, AAR Corp., Landrum & Brown, City Colleges of Chicago, and Lewis University; and the AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship (A2EA), an After School Matters after-school program delivering hands-on STEM and aerospace exposure, including flight simulators, field trips, industry mentorship, and a free airplane ride incentive for participating teens.

AeroStar complements its education programs with a portfolio of professional services: aviation consulting (data analysis, technical writing, environmental planning, Environmental Impact Statement preparation, noise abatement, contract compliance, business management), 4-12 week leadership training programs for K-12 and professionals, career planning services, and motivational speaking engagements delivered by the founder at career days, conferences, commencements, and industry forums. The company has no proprietary technology platform; its competitive advantage is built on the founder's 20+ years of aviation industry experience (including work on the $6.6B O'Hare Modernization Program at Landrum & Brown), its mission focus on female, minority, underprivileged, and at-risk youth, and its pursuit of Woman and Minority Owned Business Enterprise certification with the City of Chicago.

The business model is professional services–driven, with revenue generated from consulting engagements, training program delivery, and speaking fees, all quote-based with no publicly disclosed pricing. The company operates regionally within the Chicago metropolitan area and broader Midwest, with services delivered directly on-site at schools, community centers, and aviation industry client locations. The company has a small headcount (11-50 employees), is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, and has received a single $25,000 TechRise Chicago grant in May 2022 as its only known external funding event.

Name

AeroStar

Legal name

AEROSTAR CONSULTING CORPORATION

Website

https://aerostarcorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AeroStar Consulting Corporation is a Chicago-based non-profit founded by Tammera Holmes that delivers aviation-focused K-12 leadership training, after-school STEM apprenticeship programs, and professional aviation consulting services to students, schools, airports, and government agencies, with a mission to diversify the aviation industry pipeline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Consulting and Education Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Airport Operations (48811)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emerging Aviation Maintenance (UAS/Drone, eVTOL & Advanced Air Mobility) (EDAOAFAO)

Keywords

• Aviation consulting services
• Leadership training programs
• STEM education services
• Aviation curriculum development
• Workforce mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Consulting Services: Revenue generated through aviation consulting engagements including data analysis, technical research and writing, environmental planning, EIS, noise abatement, contract compliance, and business management services for airports, airlines, and aviation-related organizations.
2. Leadership and Training Programs: Revenue from leadership training programs and aviation education services delivered to academic institutions and organizations. Programs range from 4 to 12 weeks in duration, serving K-12 students and professionals.
3. Motivational Speaking and Presentations: Revenue generated through booking founder Tammera Holmes for speaking engagements at elementary/high school career days, science fairs, commencement ceremonies, Black History Month events, aviation industry conferences, education forums, panels, and university presentations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AeroStar provides professional aviation consulting services—including data analysis, environmental planning, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) preparation, noise abatement, and contract compliance—for airports, airlines, and aviation organizations. The company also delivers K-12 aviation and STEM education programs through the Aviation Academic Initiative (AAI) Pipeline and the AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship (A2EA) after-school program, complemented by leadership training, mentorship, career counseling, and motivational speaking. Founded in 2008 by airport planner Tammera Holmes, the firm focuses on workforce development and increasing diversity in the aviation industry.

Product overview

AeroStar offers a portfolio of education and consulting services centered on aviation and aerospace career development. The core offerings include the Aviation Academic Initiative Pipeline (AAI), which provides K-12 curriculum development, mentorship, and collegiate partnerships, and the AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship (A2EA), an after-school program delivering hands-on STEM education through flight simulators and industry exposure. These programs are complemented by professional consulting services (data analysis, environmental planning, EIS, noise abatement), leadership training programs, career planning, mentorship, and motivational speaking services. The company targets airports, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, air traffic control entities, transportation agencies, academic institutions, and government organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aviation Academic Initiative (AAI): Pipeline program developed to create diversity within the aviation industry through curriculum development and strategic partnerships
• AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship (A2EA)
• AeroStars After School Program

Products and services

• Aviation Academic Initiative (AAI) Pipeline A pipeline program that enhances academic awareness of aviation and aeronautical career path opportunities through curriculum development, systematic program implementation, and strategic partnerships with educational institutions and aviation industry organizations. Aimed at K-12 students, colleges, and partner organizations seeking to expand diversity in aviation.
• AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship (A2EA) An after-school apprenticeship program (A2EA After School Matters Program) providing leadership development and STEM education through hands-on aerospace exploration, flight simulators, industry mentorship, and career pathway guidance for K-12 students in Chicago, including a free airplane ride for teen apprentices.
• Professional Aviation Consulting Services Consulting services for airports, airlines, and aviation-related organizations covering data analysis, technical research and writing, environmental planning, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) preparation, noise abatement programs, contract compliance, and business management.
• Leadership Training Programs Four- to twelve-week leadership training programs for grades K-12 focused on aviation academic initiatives, workplace readiness, and professional development, delivered to academic institutions and organizations.
• Career Planning Services Professional development and industry exposure services for students and early-career professionals, including resume writing, interview techniques, strategic management consulting, and career counseling.
• Aviation Exploration Workshops K-12 workshops introducing students to aviation principles, flight fundamentals, aerospace history, and the impact of aerospace technology in everyday life, delivered on-site at schools and community centers.
• Mentorship Program Mentorship and support services for students in grades 7-12 and post-secondary pursuing careers in aviation, providing resources and guidance for academic and professional development.
• Motivational Speaking Services Booking of founder Tammera Holmes for speaking engagements at elementary/high school career days, science fairs, commencement ceremonies, Black History Month events, aviation industry conferences, education forums, panels, and university presentations on aviation careers and leadership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Teens participating in the AeroStars Apprenticeship receive a free airplane ride as part of the program

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• City Colleges of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner in the Aviation Academic Initiative (AAI) Pipeline. City Colleges of Chicago collaborates on aviation education programs and provides pathway opportunities for students pursuing aviation careers.
• Lewis UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner in the Aviation Academic Initiative (AAI) Pipeline. Lewis University provides collegiate aviation program partnerships and educational pathway support.
• Chicago DODO Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAeroStar supports the Chicago Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated, a not-for-profit organization that encourages and assists youth in pursuing post-secondary education and careers in aerospace. Founder Tammera Holmes was introduced to aviation through this organization's Young Eagles Program.
• Federal Aviation Administration (Great Lakes Region)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner in the AAI Pipeline. The FAA Great Lakes Region supports aviation education initiatives and provides regulatory guidance and industry perspective for the pipeline program.
• AAR Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner in the AAI Pipeline. AAR Corp., an aviation services company, provides industry exposure and potential career pathway opportunities for students in the program.
• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner in the AAI Pipeline. OBAP supports diversity in aviation and provides professional development resources and networking opportunities for students pursuing aviation careers.
• Landrum & BrowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner in the AAI Pipeline. Landrum & Brown, one of the nation's leading aviation consulting firms, provides industry expertise and career pathway support. Founder Tammera Holmes previously worked as Facilities and Operations Analyst and Environmental Consultant at this firm.
• After School MatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with After School Matters, a Chicago organization dedicated to investing in the next generation of aerospace professionals. The AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship (A2EA) program operates under this partnership.
• Avion InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated organization with mission to enhance, promote and support academic awareness of aviation and aeronautical career path opportunities, particularly for female, minority, underprivileged and at-risk youth.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): National nonprofit with a near-identical mission: increasing diversity in aviation through education, scholarships, mentorship, and career pathway programs. OBAP partners with AeroStar on the AAI Pipeline but operates its own independent programs nationally.
• Women in Aviation International: Nonprofit dedicated to encouraging women to pursue aviation careers through scholarships, mentoring, networking, and outreach — directly comparable to AeroStar's diversity pipeline focus, though operating at significantly larger national scale.
• Tuskegee Airmen Inc. National nonprofit encouraging youth to pursue aerospace careers, with local chapters in Chicago that AeroStar directly supports. Overlapping mission around aviation education and youth outreach for underrepresented communities.
• Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots): International organization of women pilots focused on advancing women in aviation through education, scholarships, and mentoring. Comparable mission of encouraging female participation in aviation careers.

Broad incumbents

• Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Aerospace Education: Civil Air Patrol operates the largest youth aerospace education program in the U.S. (over 24,000 cadet members), offering STEM and aviation curriculum and orientation flights — overlapping significantly with AeroStar's AAI Pipeline and A2EA programs but at vastly greater scale.
• EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Young Eagles: EAA's Young Eagles program has introduced over 2 million youth to aviation via free introductory flights since 1992, directly comparable to AeroStar's free airplane ride offering for A2EA Apprenticeship teens.
• Landrum & Brown: Major aviation consulting firm where founder Tammera Holmes worked and which partners on the AAI Pipeline. Comparable on AeroStar's professional services side (airport environmental planning, EIS, noise abatement).
• Ricondo & Associates: Aviation consulting firm providing airport planning, environmental, and financial advisory services to airports worldwide — directly comparable to AeroStar's consulting arm but at much larger enterprise scale.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Largest accredited aviation and aerospace university in the world, and where Holmes is pursuing her Master's in Management. Comparable on the collegiate aviation education pathway that AeroStar's pipeline feeds into.

Regional players

• After School Matters: Chicago-based nonprofit providing after-school programming for teens — the host organization of AeroStar's A2EA program. Comparable as a youth-development delivery platform in the same Chicago geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/200996189940180
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/profile/view?goback=%2Econ&id=25536250&jsstate=
• Xx.com/AAIPipeline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AeroStar