Aeroengine manufacturer Rolls-Royce announced on February 24 that it has appointed Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) chief Marion Blakey as president and CEO of its North America subsidiary, based in Reston, Va. She will replace James Guyette, who is retiring in May.
In a separate statement, GE Aviation president and CEO David Joyce, who serves as AIA chairman, said the association is “quickly moving forward” to name a successor.
Blakey was named AIA chief executive in November 2007 after serving as Federal Aviation Administration administrator. In the latter capacity, she spearheaded the NextGen ATC modernization, which was initiated in 2003 legislation, The Vision-100 Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. While at AIA, Blakey remained a proponent of NextGen and in the defense realm was outspoken in criticizing defense budget reductions the U.S. Congress imposed through sequestration.
“I’m very proud of AIA’s record of achievement these last seven years,” Blakey stated. “I strongly believe we’ve strengthened AIA and better positioned the organization and our member companies to inform and influence the debate on key issues facing our country and our industry in the coming years.”
Before leading the FAA, Blakey served as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board and as administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, among other appointments.
“We are extremely pleased to have Ms. Blakey leading the North American region because she brings deep industry perspective and is a well-respected voice in Washington,” said Rolls-Royce chief executive John Rishton. “These markets are critical to our aerospace and land and sea divisions and I am delighted to have a person of her calibre join us in this role.”
Rolls-Royce employs 8,000 people in the region. It operates an advanced manufacturing and research facility near Petersburg, Va.; a jet engine test cell at the NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi and engine test and manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis. According to the company, more Rolls-Royce engines are produced in the U.S. than anywhere else.