Topeka's Top "20 Under 40" Brooks Pettit

Photo by Nathan Ham

Brooks founded Vaerus Aviation, Inc., an aircraft management company with offices in Topeka and Scottsdale, Arizona, that serves owners of private business airplanes in all aspects relating to the operation, maintenance, pilot staffing, taxation, accounting, acquisition and sale of business aircraft. He has grown his company from a small startup into a business that employs 25 people.

Brooks helped establish the American Flight Museum, Inc., a non-profit educational air museum at Forbes Field. He raised more than $200,000 to purchase the museum’s first aircraft used for airshows locally and around the country.

Brooks is a member of the National Business Aviation Association and the Kansas City Business Aviation Association, is the vice president and treasurer of the American Flight Museum, Inc. He is a board member and gala board member for the Topeka Active 20-30 Club and was named 2016 Man of the Year by the club. Brooks consistently helps non-profit organizations grow financially through contributions, fundraising strategy and community involvement.

“He has consistently demonstrated the desire and the ability to push himself and others towards achieving greater. As he has grown Vaerus Aviation, Mr. Pettit has recognized that he needs to surround himself with great, talented people while ensuring to do what is necessary to place them in positions to succeed.” - Ryan Gigous, Cordell Wealth Management