Ravi R. Rao
Executive Vice President, Portfolio Operations

Mr. Rao joined Skyview in late 2004 and brings over 30 years of high level finance, acquisition, technology, operations, and general management experience to his role in managing all activities surrounding portfolio operations and M & A. As Skyview's portfolio manager, Mr. Rao is primarily responsible for leading the transition efforts of newly acquired companies, as well as assuming the executive oversight role of Skyview portfolio companies. He is also actively involved with supporting the M&A efforts, by guiding the operational and financial due diligence process, developing transitional agendas specific to each company, and supporting the strategic business planning process for each newly acquired organization. Mr. Rao possesses an extensive and successful track record, which includes senior executive experience with a concentration on managing companies funded by financial and or strategic sponsors. He has provided consulting and business advisory services to many middle market enterprises that required in-depth sophistication in market positioning, product identity and brand establishment, sales growth, strategic business development in international markets, business organization, project management, corporate finance, and turnaround situations.

Throughout his proven career, Mr. Rao has also been intimately involved in several mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations; most notably that of Global Leisure Travel. As President and CEO, Mr. Rao vigorously grew his newly formed company from a standstill start in 1996 (with the acquisition of a subsidiary from his former employer, Air France), to a successful enterprise generating revenues of well over $250M with an employee base of 450 by early 2001. Within this 4 year time-span, 7 strategic acquisitions were seamlessly integrated into the company's ongoing operations. Global became so well regarded that COSTCO Inc. negotiated a joint venture wherein Global provided services for their private label travel product. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Rao successfully divested two of Global Leisure's subsidiaries to multi-billionaire Carl Icahn, who also owned Lowestfare.com.

Prior to joining Skyview, Mr. Rao held several other key executive positions including: Senior Vice President of Commercial and Strategic Business Development for Evergreen Airlines, CEO of Airlift USA, CEO of Salence Technology, Regional General Manager of Air France Cargo and Passenger divisions, Area Sales Manager of British Airways, and Director of Circle Airfreight for their Latin American operations.

In addition to his other accomplishments, Mr. Rao also served as Special Advisor to the Tax Reform Workshop in 2001 which was organized by the House Speaker, and subsequently was made House Majority Trust member of the US Congress. He has been invited by various industry and trade organizations as a guest speaker and has been a featured expert on panels relating to the Introduction of the Euro and its impact on US trade, tourism, and travel industry consolidation. Mr. Rao has served on the board of several private and public companies, and his other accolades include being honored as a member of Who's Who among America 's Leaders in 1998, and receiving the award for “World's Best” by Travel & Leisure magazine for one of his operating companies in 1999.

Mr. Rao graduated Magna Cum Laude from Alliant International University (USIU), in San Diego , California , and received his Masters in International Business Administration from the same institution. Furthermore he received undergraduate degrees in the subjects of Geography, Geology and Astronomy from the University of Madras in India .

Currently Mr. Rao serves on the board of Fastech Integrated Solutions, a Skyview portfolio company.