Samuel Stone – Blade Urban Air Mobility

When Sam Stone joined Blade Urban Air Mobility in 2021, the skies were anything but clear. The New York City-based aviation startup was navigating the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic while preparing to go public. Flights were grounded, markets were volatile, and the future of travel seemed uncertain. For Stone, it was the perfect storm for developing his skill set.

Samuel Stone | Blade Urban Air Mobility | Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs

He quickly became the kind of lawyer every fast-moving organization needs—one who doesn’t just flag risk but helps chart a path forward. In a matter of months, Stone found himself translating complex outside counsel advice into actionable, practical processes that kept the business operating efficiently while establishing it as a publicly traded company.

“It was a learn-by-doing environment,” he says. “Every day brought something new, and you had to be ready to pivot, make decisions, and drive impact across the organization.”

That adaptability and deliberate context shifting would define his tenure at BLADE, as he helped the firm evolve from a niche New York helicopter service into a multifaceted, global player in both passenger transportation and medical logistics.

Navigating transformation

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in New York City, BLADE is a technology-powered aviation company and the leading helicopter passenger service in the world. Rather than owning and operating aircraft, BLADE utilizes a unique asset-light model — partnering with certified third-party aircraft operators while focusing on sales, marketing, technology, infrastructure, scheduling, and the customer experience. The result is a flexible business that can scale rapidly.

When Stone joined BLADE, the company was on the verge of becoming one of the first publicly traded urban air mobility brands in the world. Stone’s legal and business acumen were immediately put to the test. He quickly became a key player in everything from public company readiness, securities, and corporate governance to mergers and acquisitions, product launches, employment matters and government affairs.

After going public, he worked closely with the executive team and the Board of Directors, guiding BLADE through a series of strategic moves that diversified its operations and accelerated its path toward profitability. Those moves included the acquisition of Trinity Medical Solutions and various “tuck-in” medical segment acquisitions, which positioned BLADE as the nation’s largest dedicated air transporter of human organs. He also worked on transformative partnerships with aircraft operators and on expanding BLADE’s passenger operations into Canada and Europe. Each deal brought its own complexities, from regulatory compliance to structural and integration challenges, and Stone was often at the center of it all.

“I had a front-row seat to how a public company is built,” he says. “It wasn’t just about legal theory; it was about understanding every component of our business and making sure that all of the pieces fit together.”

His ability to think like both an attorney and a business leader became one of BLADE’s greatest assets. Over time, he earned the trust of the C-Suite and the Board, who saw him not only as a legal advisor but as a strategic partner in shaping the company’s future.

Partnerships and proof of concept

Beyond corporate transactions, Stone helps BLADE elevate its brand through creative partnerships and high-profile activations that bring urban air mobility into the mainstream. Collaborations with JetBlue, BILT, Marriott, and Mercedes-Benz have expanded its reach, while event activations at the Super Bowl, Ryder Cup, Rolling Loud Music Festival, and the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition have showcased its ability to deliver large-scale, customer-focused experiences in complex and congested operational environments.

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Long Island was a defining moment. BLADE coordinated one of the largest civilian helicopter activations of all time, moving thousands of passengers between exclusive BLADE lounges in Manhattan and on-course landing zones at Bethpage, turning multi-hour trips into 15-minute flights, and offering an on-site BLADE-branded lounge complete with hospitality and a Joby Aviation aircraft simulator. It was not just a logistical triumph but also a glimpse into the future of air mobility.

“The Ryder Cup was a huge proof of concept,” Stone says. “It demonstrates what can be accomplished when integrated partnerships, infrastructure, operations, and customer experience align and when all departments are working in lockstep towards a common goal.”

Through each initiative, Stone has played a critical role in structuring deals, negotiating contracts, and minimizing risk while maintaining the flexibility that defines BLADE’s culture. His leadership exemplifies the company’s philosophy: fast, nimble, and adaptive.

A new horizon with Joby Aviation

That opportunistic spirit led to one of BLADE’s most significant milestones yet—its August 2025 acquisition by Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: Joby), a California-based aerospace company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, with backing from, and strategic partnerships with, the likes of Toyota, Uber, Delta Air Lines, L3 Harris, NVIDIA and NASA. The $125 million deal represented the convergence of two pioneers in urban air mobility: BLADE, known for its brand, consumer experience and logistics expertise, and Joby, the leader in electric aircraft technology and manufacturing.

The acquisition marked the start of a new chapter for both companies. BLADE’s medical division, which had become its largest and most profitable segment, spun off from BLADE and rebranded as a standalone entity under the name Strata Critical Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRTA). Meanwhile, Stone remained with BLADE under Joby ownership, where he continues to lead BLADE’s business and legal affairs functions.

During the current post-acquisition transition period, Stone continues to support Strata’s legal, governance and M&A efforts, including Strata’s recent $124 million acquisition of Keystone Perfusion Services, while also helping to integrate BLADE’s operations into Joby’s broader global strategy. It’s a complex balancing act, but one that perfectly suits his composed demeanor and efficient nature.

“Integration is definitely keeping me busy,” he says. “I spend much of my time focusing on how to best integrate the two operations and how each of BLADE’s and Joby’s respective strengths can complement each other, while also overseeing the growth and continued operation of our legacy business.”

Under Joby, he works within a larger legal department—one with over 15attorneys and legal professionals compared to BLADE’s historically lean operation—but his approach remains the same: practical, collaborative, and rooted in communication. The acquisition is designed to leverage Joby’s aircraft technology and manufacturing capabilities and BLADE’s asset-light operating model, to allow BLADE to concentrate on what it does best: operating and scaling its passenger services, while paving the way for a seamless transition from current generation helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to Joby’s electric air taxis.

“The beauty of the Joby partnership is that we can each focus on our strengths,” Stone says. “They’re building world-class electric aircraft that are quiet, efficient, and sustainable. We’re the experts in marketing, operations, logistics, and customer experience. Together, we will redefine how people move within and between cities.”

The trusted advisor

If there’s a throughline in Stone’s career, it’s his ability to translate complexity into clarity. Whether navigating public company regulations, structuring brand partnerships, or integrating two global corporations, he brings a team-oriented mindset shaped by years on the basketball court and in the boardroom. His background in finance from Virginia Tech and his law degrees from the University of Miami—where he currently serves on the Young Alumni Advisory Board of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law program–give him both the analytical precision and the creative problem-solving skills to thrive in fast-changing environments. Experience with the Washington Nationals, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins provides a foundation to work with highly public brands, too.

He describes himself as a “dual threat”—a business and legal leader who sees challenges from both angles. That perspective allows him to build trust across departments and ensure that decisions balance legal prudence with commercial pragmatism.

“What makes me effective is not looking at things just from a legal standpoint,” he says. “It’s understanding what the business goal is and helping the team get there.”

That mindset aligns closely with BLADE’s DNA. From its early days offering helicopter transfers to the Hamptons to its expansion into medical logistics and now electric air taxis, BLADE has always been about agility—doing a lot with a little, moving fast, and staying close to the customer. Stone thrives in that environment, where quick decisions, in-person collaboration, and constant communication are essential.

Based in Hudson Yards, his team remains fully in-office, a deliberate choice that reflects the company’s emphasis on teamwork and transparency.

“For us, being in person is the special sauce,” he says. “It’s how we make fast decisions and keep everyone aligned and informed.”

Looking ahead, Stone’s role will continue to evolve as Joby prepares to bring its electric air taxis to market and BLADE expands its network of routes, infrastructure and landing zones. He is deeply involved in shaping the frameworks that will support these efforts, from regulatory approvals to brand integrations and new partnerships.

It’s a future he’s ready for—a continuation of the “learn by doing” approach that first brought him to BLADE and has guided him ever since.

“I’ve always bet on myself,” he says. “That’s been my approach from day one, and it fits perfectly with a company that’s built on pursuing smart, bold opportunities.”