Roderick Zastrow

Roderick "Rod" Zastrow serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of Bye Aerospace, Inc. He has served on Bye's Board of Directors since 2020, joined the company directly in July 2023 as President and Chief Operating Officer, and was named CEO and President in April 2024.

Rod leads the Bye team in its quest to become the first firm to ever certify an all-electric training aircraft with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Rod is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of the company including Engineering, Production, Advanced Programs, Business Development, and corporate functions. 

Prior to joining Bye Aerospace, Rod served in the aviation training industry for 12 years, principally with Spartan Education Group, where he helped Spartan expand its training footprint globally.  He conceived of, established and ran the U.S. Department of Defense’s first-ever comprehensive air training academy, located north of Baghdad, Iraq, for the Iraq Air Force.  He led Cessna 172, Cessna 208 and Beechcraft T-6 training operations, maintenance and global logistics. He also led the establishment of Spartan Arabia, based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  Rod led the Spartan Global Aviation Training group of companies as Chairman and CEO prior to his current tenure at Bye Aerospace.

Prior to Spartan, Rod served 26 years in the United States Air Force, where he was an F-15 instructor, Weapons School graduate (Top Gun equivalent), and serial commander up to base level.  Rod’s final position was as the principal policy advisor to the Secretary of Defense for fighter aircraft, weaponry and base defense.

Rod has over 3,000 flying hours including over 2,500 hours in the F-15 as well as in the HH-60 helicopter, and T-38, T-37, and multiple General Aviation aircraft.