49th Annual Conference

TLC Marketing is a culmination of the more than 20 years of experience I've had owning, operating and marketing my own small businesses. Because of my years of experience owning small and unique businesses, I understand more than marketing, I understand business. Over the years, I have learned what it means to operate on a budget. I understand the needs and desires of small business owners to see measurable results from their marketing efforts. I appreciate the importance of working with clients to create marketing plans specifically designed to meet the unique needs of their individual businesses.

I work with business owners and decision makers of professional organizations in many different industries. I understand how important a person's business is to him or her. I know that people can have a sense of pride and accomplishment in building a successful business. I appreciate how important each business decision can be to the total image of the company and the overall success of the business. I love learning about each client's hopes and dreams for the future and genuinely enjoy working with them to make those as much a reality as possible.

I also have the pleasure of working with trade associations to help grow their organizations. Trade associations are different in that they are made up of individual members, often with different goals, target markets and ideas. I enjoy the challenge of combining all of those ideas into a single vision that helps grow the organization by optimizing the value each member receives from its membership.

At TLC Marketing, I thrive on providing effective and efficient marketing options that make sense for your unique organization.

Jim Blessing is the President of AirFleet Capital, Inc., a finance firm focused on aircraft lending to the “owner-flown” segment of the aviation industry. At AirFleet, he oversees all functions of the company, to include strategic planning, marketing and sales, and he participates regularly with credit evaluation and underwriting. He joined AirFleet in 1999 and has helped participate in its growth from a new entrant in aircraft lending to one of the larger firms in the segment. 

Prior to AirFleet he was the CFO and Director of Corporate Affairs for an aviation company with a focus on government contracting.  The firm provided logistical support through the Department of Defense and United Nations special programs groups in North and South America and Africa, with both fleet-owned and contracted aircraft.  His prior employer also operated a Part 145 Repair Station specializing in light aircraft, helicopters and commuter airliners.

Jim has worked in the field of aviation for his entire career, receiving his BS in Aviation from Florida Institute of Technology in 1988.  He is a Private Pilot, a lifetime member AOPA, EAA and the Seaplane Pilots’ Association.  Aviation is in his blood, as he was originally inspired to pursue aviation by his father who served in the United States Air Force. He met his wife Cathy in College at Florida Tech, who is also a pilot with both Instrument and Seaplane ratings, and works in the field of Air Traffic Control systems design.