Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy shares how hard work, vulnerability and personal responsibility have shaped his approach to leadership.
Andrew Levy has spent three decades in the airline industry, building a career that has taken him from an airline startup to the executive ranks of one of the country’s largest carriers.
Through it all, the founder and CEO of Avelo Airlines says hard work has remained constant throughout his career.
“Work really, really hard. That’s the truth,” Levy told FOX Business.
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Levy began his aviation career at ValuJet Airlines and later became a co-founder of Allegiant Air, where he held several leadership roles, including president. He later became the chief financial officer of United Airlines before launching Avelo in 2021.
Avelo’s CEO also shared his authenticity and willingness to share vulnerability as lessons that shape his leadership.
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Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy says hard work is the habit that has had the biggest impact on his success. (Avelo Airlines)
“I think there are two things,” Levy said. “I think one is always being authentic to yourself. And the second is don’t be afraid to show your vulnerability.”
Levy said vulnerability can sometimes be seen as a “weakness” in leadership, but he sees it differently.
“The best career advice I ever got was just don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and show your vulnerability,” she says.
Asked about one task he wasn’t assigned, Levy said he prefers to tackle difficult conversations.
“Give me bad news,” he said. “I think that in my role especially, it is very important to send the good, the bad and the ugly, but not to hide others to do it, but to do it yourself.”
Levy also pushed against the perception that being a CEO is an “easy” job.
“Nothing,” he said. “It’s constant work. It’s constant focus, attention. It consumes your life.”
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Before launching Avelo in 2021, Levy was co-founder and president of Allegiant Air and then chief financial officer of United Airlines. (Avelo Airlines)
He said people can look at the titles and compensation that can come from running a company without realizing “the challenges and the tolls that come with it and the investment that has to be made as someone who is actually in that role.”
“I think they don’t appreciate how hard it is and how much responsibility they put into that role,” he said.
For those looking to enter the airline industry, Levy says being comfortable with the constant uncertainty and change is important.
“It’s dynamic, it’s exciting, but it’s constantly changing,” he said. “And you have to enjoy it. You have to enjoy some level of chaos.”
If he didn’t run an airline, Levy said he might work for an investment firm or a private company, where he could learn about different businesses and industries.
“I’ll be interested just because I can see different things,” he said, pointing to his “itch” for “constant learning.”
Before reaching the C-suite, Levy said his first job involved raking leaves, pulling weeds and mowing lawns — “anything I could do to make a little money as a kid.”
Asked a series of quick questions, Levy gave an overview of her choices and personality.
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For those looking to enter the airline industry, Levy says being comfortable with the constant uncertainty and change is important. (Avelo Airlines)
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He describes himself as a “night owl” who does “a lot of work at night” and says he prefers working in an office.
Asked for his favorite company buzzword, Levy pointed to “laser focus.”
“No use,” he said with a laugh.
When asked for one word the team would use to describe him, Levy replied: “Intense.”