People in Aviation: February 2026

Adam Johnson, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway's wholly owned subsidiary NetJets, took over as president of Berkshire’s consumer products, service, and retailing businesses, including FlightSafety International. Johnson is continuing in his role at NetJets, where he has served as CEO since June 2015. His tenure at NetJets spans nearly 30 years, including serving as president of global sales, marketing, and service; senior v-p of NetJets administrative services; senior v-p of logistics; and executive director of the NetJets Aviation Flight Center.

General Dynamics (GD) promoted executive v-p of global operations Danny Deep to president of the company. Deep’s more than 20 years with the company include roles such as executive v-p of combat systems, v-p of the company, and president of General Dynamics Land Systems. Phebe Novakovic was elevated to president and COO in 2012 and has served as chairman and CEO since 2013, and Deep’s promotion suggests he is set to succeed her when she retires. Meanwhile, William Moss, v-p and controller at GD, plans to retire at the end of March. Dana Maisano, staff v-p and controller overseeing financial planning and analysis at General Dynamics Information Technology since 2018, will take over as GD’s controller on April 1.

Andrea (Jauschneg) Lyons was named v-p and COO for Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA), succeeding P.J. Clark, who is retiring after nine years with the organization. Lyons has served at CAA for four years, beginning in special events and operations, and before that was general manager with Rectrix Commercial Aviation Services.

JSSI named Molly Hennessy chief product and technology officer. She previously worked at United Airlines for more than nine years, most recently as managing director of crew and catering technology.

Justin Salmans was tapped by Textron Aviation as senior v-p of supply chain. Salmans joined Cessna Aircraft in 2011 and led its integration into Textron Aviation. He most recently was chief procurement officer for Bass Pro Shops.

Mike Moore was hired as Guardian Jet’s regional sales director for Florida. Moore’s more than three decades of experience in private aviation includes positions at Essex Aviation, PrivatAir, Infinity Aviation Group, FirstFlight, and Meridian Air Charter.

E3 Displays has a new CEO—Tim Tsai—following its acquisition by Ubiqconn, of which Tsai is also CEO. Chuck Rahrig, co-founder and previous president of E3 Displays, shifted to the role of COO and now handles the company’s day-to-day operations.

EBAA announced a new sales and management team for EBACE: Carla Spiljard, EBACE program director; Kerry Lamont, outdoor account lead; Helen Nagle, indoor account lead; Marleen Weide, operations project manager; and Dewi Hazes, EBACE project manager.

Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of General Dynamics, was elected as chair of the Aerospace Industries Association’s 2026 board of governors. Christopher T. Calio, RTX chairman and CEO, will serve as vice chair, and Eric Fanning was reelected as president and CEO of the association.

Nate Thuli was named president of Airhart Aeronautics, which is working on a next-generation avionics platform and a clean-sheet aircraft. Thuli’s 15-plus years of leadership experience in aerospace and defense modernization includes a recent term as president and COO of Alpha Omega Group (AOG); he also founded dual-use aerospace technology company Nerion.

Spectrum Aeromed named Shannon Schell president. Schell, previously president and CEO of REVA, has extensive expertise in air ambulance services over his career, which spans more than three decades in aviation, healthcare, and logistics.

Private jet operator RoyalJet hired Alain Champonnois as v-p of commercial. Champonnois previously served as commercial director with Royal Jet and most recently was president and CEO for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Chapman Freeborn.

Jennifer E. Pickerel, president of Aviation Personnel International (API), is now a member of the NBAA Advisory Council. Pickerel previously worked for MedAire in various leadership roles and has been on the API team since 2015.

Anthony Fountain, operational control center specialist at Metro Aviation, was promoted to operational control center manager after three years with the company. His previous experience includes serving in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years, where he worked in operational meteorology.

Lynlee Espeseth joined Fargo Jet Center as director of marketing, leading marketing strategy, brand development, and integrated communications. Espeseth has more than 10 years of experience in government, healthcare, tourism, and philanthropy.

Tim O’Keeffe is the new deputy director of operations and maintenance for San Luis Obispo County’s Department of Airports. Former deputy director Craig Piper is retiring in May after 25 years with the department. O’Keeffe will oversee the operations and maintenance division for both SLO County Airport and Oceano Airport and will support efforts to improve reliability and efficiency.

Private Flight named Lieff Fischer chief growth officer to support growth across all of its business lines. Fischer will lead global commercial strategy and will work to strengthen customer relationships and expand the air charter provider’s presence in key markets.

Duncan Aviation promoted Bryce Richie from team leader for its Global/Challenger team to Global/Challenger service sales representative. Richie joined Duncan’s flight control team in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2016 after three years at Hill Aero Modification Center.

Law firm Williams Kastner tapped Brent Elswick as a member in the firm’s office in Seattle. Elswick’s almost 15 years of experience include advising businesses and individual clients on corporate, transactional, and general business law matters, with an emphasis on aviation law.

Anna Cutter is now v-p of flight management at Cutter Aviation. A fourth-generation member of the Cutter family, she started out at the company as charter and sales coordinator for Texas.

The Jet Agent hired Rex Kapriellian as sales director for Gulfstream models. Kapriellian’s 20-plus years of aviation leadership experience include serving as flight department manager, lead captain, and FAA-authorized check airman in Part 91 and 135 environments.

Awards & Honors

Heidi Ho Yuen-tung, an officer at the Hong Kong Government Flying Service, was recognized with the IMRF award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Maritime SAR Operations. She was selected for demonstrating “incredible courage and professionalism” in rescuing seven trapped seamen from a drifting barge during a risky nighttime search-and-rescue operation near Severe Typhoon Yinxing.

Paul Cremer was recognized with the Contribution to Industry Award 2025 from the British Business and General Aviation Association. Currently head of aviation delivery for Gama Aviation, Cremer has worked in air traffic, operations, aircraft management, air ambulance, and charter sales, among others. The British Business General Aviation Association named Hugo Robotti-Guinamand, group charter executive at Victor, as the recipient of its 2025 Excellence in Aviation Next Generation Award. Robotti-Guinamand has been with Victor since 2022 and has managed some of the company’s most complex charter projects, including logistics for Olympic sports teams, international orchestras, and sports organizations.

In partnership with the IADA Foundation, JSSI awarded its first Aviation Innovation Grant to Tyler Kleinsasser, a student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Kleinsasser was recognized for his innovation and entrepreneurship in developing a performance analytics platform concept for smaller aviation businesses.

Final Flight

Joseph “Joe E” Esmerado, 82, an employee of Leading Edge Aviation Solutions for many years, recently passed away. He began his career in aviation in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft maintenance trainee, going on to serve as v-p and general manager at Butler Aviation, owner and president of JetAm, v-p of aircraft maintenance for Jet Aviation, and general manager of Raytheon’s Atlantic City FBO. Esmerado also was recognized for his more than 50 years of service in aviation maintenance with the Charles M. Taylor Master Mechanic Award.