The LaRose Digital Theatre was filled with members of the Elon community Feb. 19 as Tom O’Leary shared his journey of becoming the CEO of JetZero. JetZero is an aerospace company focused on developing a blended wing body jet designed to reduce fuel burn, emissions and noise dramatically.
The aircraft reimagines the traditional design by creating lift across the entire wingspan, opening the door for both efficiency and passenger comfort.
Before his presentation, he sat down for an exclusive interview with Elon News Network’s Charlotte Pfabe to discuss his path from a political science major at Furman University to an aerospace CEO.
O’Leary began his career far from aerospace as a fourth-grade teacher. Being a graduate of Furman University with a degree in political science, he spent five years teaching fourth grade before moving into sales roles in the automotive and tech industries. He later held leadership positions at companies, including working with Tesla.
“I had already developed this appetite for disruption,” O’Leary said about his first time at Tesla. When I was introduced to the concept of an all-wing design, my first thought was, why is this not being done?”
He described his beginning years as formative and believes that cold calling and facing rejection taught him resiliency that helped him define his leadership style.
“If you show up with resilience, you will go far,” O’Leary said to students at LaRose Digital Theatre.
At JetZero, O’Leary created this vision based on consumer comfort. In June 2025, the company decided to expand their facilities with a $4.7 billion investment in Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. This project is expected to create more than 14,000 jobs, according to O’Leary.
The Elon community listens as JetZero CEO Tom O’Leary shares his advice for students' education at a liberal arts school in LaRose Digital Theatre on Feb. 19.
O’Leary said North Carolina stood out because of its infrastructure and university density.
“We found the governor was committed to it,” O’Leary said. “Their vision for the future was incredible. That vision includes a vibrant university ecosystem where we could draw a talent pool.”
Inside the aircraft, the blended wing design allows for wider seats, higher ceilings and dedicated overhead bin space for each passenger. His main goal wasn’t just efficiency but also a better passenger experience.
“Once you allow engineers to do their thing, all of these things get better,” O’Leary said.
The facility is expected to operate as an AI-driven factory designed to make production more efficient while reducing costs. O’Leary, however, believes that this is only a part of his story. Throughout his visit, O’Leary shared a message to students, particularly those studying outside of STEM fields.
“The world is in need of generalists,” O’Leary said. “Be confident in the quality of your liberal arts education.”
He credits his ability in aerospace to Furman with shaping his ability to think across disciplines. Rather than specializing early, he said that a liberal arts education taught how to question assumptions, connect ideas, and challenge conventions.
“I’m long on liberal arts, and I’m a short seller on hyper-specialized college degrees,” O’Leary said.
For O’Leary, innovation begins with curiosity. He said progress starts with asking why.
His final advice to students was about perspective in careers.
“Make the most of your four years,” O’Leary said. “Life speeds up afterwards, and the years start flying by.”