Aeronet’s Humble Beginnings

The story of Aeronet Worldwide begins in the Azores, the Portuguese islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean. That is where Aeronet’s founder, Chairman and CEO Anthony N. Pereira, was born and raised.

At the age of 19, Mr. Pereira came to America, on a student visa, to pursue his great interest in aeronautics. He was accepted to California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, into their School of Aerospace Engineering. However, once he got deep into the mechanical engineering curriculum, it became obvious that this might not be his forte. Mr. Pereira pivoted to World Business and Transportation Management, and transferred to San Francisco State University. Not only was this a better fit, it brought him to Northern California, which would be the birthplace of Aeronet.

After graduating college, and working in the cargo transportation industry for a decade, Mr. Pereira decided it was time to go out on his own. He had become increasingly disillusioned with the lacking standards in the industry, and wanted to start a company based on strong principles. (This would be the basis of Aeronet Worldwide’s current core values of Integrity, Commitment, and Passion.)

In 1982, in San Jose, Mr. Pereira started Aeronet, Inc. with only $100, and making deliveries with his Buick LeSabre. By hustling around California’s Silicon Valley, he was able to quickly establish and build his new company upon a foundation of on-time service with a money-back guarantee.

Throughout the following years, Aeronet expanded beyond its Northern California territory. First, domestically, then internationally. Its corporate headquarters moved to Irvine, California. And “Aeronet” eventually became “Aeronet Worldwide,” now including offices and warehouses around the U.S., multiple international joint venture partnerships, and agents connected to every major airport and seaport around the world.