Born in South Africa to a father who headed the country’s largest aviation company, Brett Forrester has been surrounded by the aviation industry since childhood. Aviation is in the Forrester blood, as his brother owns an aviation financing and insurance company. Their father set benchmarks for sales and customer service that remain strong today, instilling the same principles in Brett.

Brett graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa with a degree in Commerce, majoring in Economics and Business Science.

Brett joined General Aviation Services’ market research department in 1994 under the watchful eye of NARA (National Aircraft Resale Association) co-founder Dan Dickinson. In his nineteen years at General Aviation Services, Brett completed, was involved in or consulted on over 300 transactions, including everything from light turbo props to intercontinental jets.

In 2013, Brett founded Jet Sense Aviation, LLC, realizing his vision of a full-spectrum aircraft industry firm. Our services include aircraft sales, acquisition, brokerage and consulting. 

Jet Sense is built on Brett’s belief that ensuring a smooth transaction and an outstanding experience for each and every client starts with accurate market information, and the process comes together perfectly, thanks to the passion and integrity he and his crew embody. Having seen every facet of an aircraft transaction from both sides of the table, Brett has a unique understanding of how to navigate through the complexities of these scenarios. 

With his combination of aviation genetics, a life immersed in aviation, broad international knowledge and 25+ years of experience and relationships to draw on, Brett is able to give his clients very detailed insight into the general, private and corporate aviation markets and brings a documented track record of successful transactions to the table at Jet Sense.

Email Brett
Office: (847) 550-4660 Ext. 120
Cell Phone: (847) 910-6846

As COO and General Counsel, Heather Wolff Griffin works closely with Jet Sense’s CEO, Brett Forrester, to develop the company’s overall strategic planning process, implement initiatives, and serve to make the company’s vision a reality. Heather also has operational responsibilities, including assisting the sales and acquisitions team in delivering measurable, cost-effective results to our clients in a timely manner.

Prior to assuming her current position with Jet Sense, Heather gained over twenty years of experience in the legal field. Heather started her career in a support staff role working with the in-house counsel of Underwriters Laboratories Inc., a global independent safety company headquartered in Northbrook, IL. She continued gaining legal expertise as a paralegal for a now Cook County judge for approximately six years. After earning her J.D. from IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law, Heather worked as an associate for the largest law firm in her home county before accepting a position as Corporate Counsel for a healthcare management company in Chicago. In this role, she devoted her time and skills for ten years providing counsel on various issues, including commercial transactions, employment matters, internal investigations, litigation, policies & procedures, risk management, corporate compliance and more. Heather was appointed & acted as the organization’s HIPAA privacy officer.

Over the years, Heather has been a member of numerous legal associations, including most recently the Association of Corporate Counsel. Heather has also been a licensed insurance producer in the State of Illinois since 1998.

Heather loves to travel with her husband, a manager for a global pharmaceutical company, and is thrilled to be part of the aviation industry and Jet Sense’s team.

Email Heather
Office: (847) 550-4660 Ext. 110
Cell Phone: (815) 814-9444

Pat Mitchell is a great example of someone who has a passion for what we do. He started flying airplanes before he could drive a car. At 18, he obtained his private pilot license, and he attended Saint Louis University (Parks College of Engineering and Aviation). Pat received a degree in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Business Administration, and then spent four years in a technical sales role in the Chicagoland area.

His passion for aviation led him to Jet Sense, where he is able to combine his experience as a pilot with what he’s learned in a competitive sales and consulting field. Having received his multi-engine and commercial airplane certificates, he understands the various technicalities that go into each and every aircraft and enjoys putting that knowledge to work here every day.

Pat is responsible for making accurate assessments of aircrafts’ current market values as well as fulfilling a role in aircraft sales and brokering. He resides in Chicago and enjoys his time on his boat, spending time with family or working on his golf swing.

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Office: (847) 550-4660 Ext. 130
Cell Phone: (847) 409-1675

Tori Mannella did not know she loved aviation until entering this world seven years ago. In an industry where most are “insiders”, having grown up in aviation, she came in and made up for lost time. Since then, she has been forging relationships, developing new skills, and gathering market intelligence to assist in the buying and selling of private aircraft.

After relocating to Lake George, NY in the Southern Adirondacks, and becoming a dog mom to her pup, Blue Sky, it only makes sense that she would continue her journey and take her experience to Jet Sense Aviation in June 2021. Tori’s focus is making accurate assessments of aircrafts’ current market values, as well as providing support for the team to reach their sales goals.

Tori loves anything outdoors. Whether with her dog and better half boating around Lake George to traveling to Block Island with family and friends, she lives for water, sand, and sun.

Office: (847) 550-4660
Cell Phone: (518) 588-7057