CHICAGO , Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI(R)), the world's largest independent provider of hourly cost-maintenance programs for the aviation industry, named Joe Hagin as its chief executive officer, effective immediately. A former executive at Federated Department Store and Chiquita Brands, Hagin most recently served as deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush .

Hagin, 52, who served the president from his inauguration through mid-July of this year, managed the day-to-day operations of the White House. Considered an "operational wizard" by colleagues, he transformed the process by which numerous, diverse and complex organizations work together to support the presidency.

In addition to his other responsibilities, Hagin a long-time aviation enthusiast himself, oversaw the White House Military Office, which includes the president's fleet of aircraft, Air Force One and Marine One, and managed the intricate details around the president's clandestine trips to Afghanistan and Iraq . He was a member of the original team which worked in secret to create the Department of Homeland Security following the attacks in 2001. Hagin was the architect of a five-year, multimillion dollar effort to modernize presidential voice, data and video communications systems, the renovation of the famous White House Situation Room, the Press Briefing Room and other extensive infrastructure improvements.

"Through my time at the White House, I gained valuable experience in global operations management including aviation assets," said Mr. Hagin. "I'm eager to build on that experience of providing extremely high quality, high efficiency service to a client, and am looking forward to developing new programs and expanding others to bolster our growth and diversify our product lines."

Bob Book , Chairman of the JSSI Board of Directors and founding partner of R.H. Book LLC, which acquired JSSI in June in partnership with 1848 Capital Partners LLC, said Hagin will lead efforts to expand the company's market share and broaden its extensive suite of hourly cost-maintenance guarantee programs for business aircraft engines and airframes.

"Joe spent seven and a half years taking care of the nation's top passenger -- the president," said Book. "We are confident that his experience overseeing the management of Air Force One and the presidential aviation assets combined with his dedication to operational excellence will enable us to reach the next level in jet support services."

Hagin has spent the majority of his career in service to the nation. He was personal aide for Vice President George H.W. Bush and was head of Vice President Bush's legislative affairs and congressional relations office from 1983-85. When Bush was elected president in 1988, Hagin became his appointments secretary until 1990.