People in Aviation - March 2026

After eight years in the role, Bruno Even is stepping down as CEO of Airbus Helicopters on April 1 and will be succeeded by Matthieu Louvot, who spent the past two years as the French OEM’s executive v-p of strategy. Announcing the shift, Airbus explained that Even had “decided to leave the company to pursue his next personal and professional objectives.” Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said that “under his tenure, the [helicopter] division expanded its product portfolio, transformed its industrial system, and has been placed on a sustainable and profitable growth trajectory.” Even navigated Airbus Helicopters through the service entry of the five-blade H145 in 2021 and the H160 in 2024, as well as the 2025 launch of the H135-derived twin-engined H140. The latter is expected to enter service in 2028. Louvot has held a number of management positions since joining Airbus Helicopters in 2010. These include executive v-p of customer support and services and executive v-p of programs. Louvot’s “broad knowledge of the division’s operational and strategic priorities will enable a smooth transition,” concluded Faury.

Harlan Simpkins became president and CEO of the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) on January 12. His leadership experience includes more than two decades in global flight operations, regulatory compliance, and aircraft certification. Recently, he led aircraft flight and test operations for De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, and he also previously served as chief customer liaison pilot at Bombardier for several years. In the announcement from CBAA, the association specifically noted Simpkins’ “strong background in leadership and a deep understanding of the business aviation industry.” It added, “He brings a proven track record of collaboration with regulators and industry stakeholders, driving operational excellence, safety, and long-term value for the business aviation community.”

Bombardier made several changes to its leadership team. The company hired Sandra Hodgkinson to serve as senior v-p of strategy and mergers and acquisitions. Hodgkinson previously held positions in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps, as well as other positions at the U.S. Department of Defense, the White House, and the Department of State. Most recently, she led strategy and corporate development at Leonardo DRS, where she steered multiple successful M&A efforts. It also tapped long-time employee Stephen McCullough as executive v-p of engineering, product development, and Bombardier Defense. The promotion expands on McCullough’s purview, formerly as senior v-p of engineering and product development. Meanwhile, Bombardier expanded the role of Paul Sislian under his new title of executive v-p of aircraft sales and aftermarket services. Sislian is a 17-year Bombardier employee who previously held leadership roles in business jet manufacturing operations, Bombardier’s aerostructures business, and, most recently, aftermarket services and corporate strategy. The company further named Mercedes Glockseisen to succeed Pierre Gagnon as senior v-p, general counsel, and corporate secretary. Glockseisen, who joined the company in 2011, was previously v-p of contracts and legal services for Bombardier.

Stewart D’Leon, former senior director of environmental and technical operations at NBAA, was hired as senior director of commercial aviation safety and regulatory affairs for the Aerospace Industries Association. D’Leon previously represented NBAA at ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection through IBAC, and he also chaired the Business Aviation Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition.

Jeppesen ForeFlight appointed three senior executives to its leadership team. Joe Ayers, now CFO, was previously executive v-p and CFO at Epicor Software. Toya Del Valle, named chief customer officer for Jeppesen ForeFlight, recently held the same title at Cornerstone OnDemand and has also worked in leadership roles at US Airways and American Airlines. Richa Gupta, formerly chief human resources officer of CloudBees, is now chief people officer at Jeppesen. Gupta previously held leadership roles at PayPal and GE Digital, among others.

The National Aeronautic Association elected nine new members to its board of directors for 2026: Ronce Almond, managing director and head of international government affairs for American Airlines; Jeanie Engle, former chief information officer at NASA; Kate Fraser, director of regulatory and federal affairs at Zipline; Steve Morrissey, v-p of regulatory and policy at United Airlines; Martin Palmaz, nonprofit leader and air sports athlete; Cassie Redmyer, director of philanthropy for the Pensacola State College Foundation; Atif Saeed, CEO of Philadelphia International Airport; Greg Stone, president of the Academy of Model Aeronautics; and Katie Thomson, former FAA deputy administrator and founder of Duncan Park Strategies.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame named Bill Dolny and Douglas Walker to its board of trustees. CEO of MedAire Worldwide, Dolny has three-plus decades of experience in the aviation industry and is chair of the NBAA Advisory Board. Walker, Banfield Capital managing partner, has held senior leadership positions at Seabury Securities, SMBC Aviation Capital, and United Airlines.

Paul Bloom was tapped as president of renewable fuel and chemicals company Gevo. Patrick Gruber, former CEO, is now executive chair of the board, and board chairman William Baum became lead independent director. Gruber is retiring at the start of April. Bloom has been with the company since 2021.

FL3XX appointed Sergiy Tavanets as chief technology officer based on his experience in building resilient, scalable platforms. Jake Hansen also joined FL3XX as customer support representative on the company’s North American team.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University appointed Major General Jeannie Leavitt as dean of the College of Aviation at its Prescott, Arizona campus, starting in February. Leavitt previously served in the U.S. Air Force for 31 years, most recently as chief of safety for both the Air and Space Forces. She was the service’s first female fighter pilot and the first woman to command an Air Force combat fighter wing.

Cutter Aviation tapped Will D. Cutter as v-p of Texas operations. He recently led FBO operations at the company’s location in Georgetown, Texas. Cutter Aviation also hired Slava Levchenko as general manager at its Phoenix MRO facility. Levchenko brings more than 15 years of aircraft maintenance experience and is a licensed FAA A&P mechanic.

The head of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), Giorgos Saounatsos, resigned following January 4’s air traffic control service outage. The Ministry of Transport accepted Saounatsos’ resignation and announced that deputy commander of air navigation Giorgos Vagenas “is temporarily assuming the duties of commander, while the process and the procedures for the appointment of a new commander will be initiated immediately.”

Kristen Suarez was promoted to COO of BWI Aviation Insurance after nine years with the company. BWI also named Ryan Ammerman sales manager; he brings extensive experience in aircraft owner and operator support and served as an aviation insurance advisor.

Navy veteran Jeff Rosenberg joined AOne Parts & Logistics as a buyer/trader. His experience in both the military and private sectors includes a background in customer support and procurement procedures.

Upset Prevention and Recovery Training Association International (UPRTA) named several industry experts to two-year terms for leadership roles during the annual UPRT Safety Summit for Pilots Worldwide. Paul “BJ” Ransbury, CEO of Aviation Performance Solutions, was named president of UPRTA. David Carbaugh, who worked at Boeing for almost 30 years, takes on the role of executive v-p of operations for the association. Stuart "Kipp" Lau, a veteran airline captain with 40-plus years of flight experience and an AIN aviation safety contributor, is executive v-p/industry liaison. Named executive v-p of regulatory and administration, Maryanne DeMarco leads organizational governance, strategic coordination, and stakeholder engagement across global UPRT initiatives.

Danny Gizzi, Kyle Canna, and Cameron Jones were appointed to the board of directors for AircraftExchange. Danny Gizzi, named secretary of the board, is the founder and CEO of Aircraft Executives. Kyle Canna, v-p of sales for Guardian Jet, and Cameron Jones, founder and principal of Jones Aviation Group, are the newest members at large. Continuing as chair of the board of directors for AircraftExchange is JetAviva CEO Emily Deaton, while Randall Mize, president of Leviate Air Group, remains vice chair.

Skyborne Airline Academy promoted Vicky Harriss to group head of strategic planning. Harriss has been with the company for five years in senior operational roles. William Hulse, promoted to group head of sales, will lead the academy’s global retail sales strategy. Skyborne also promoted Abigail Hintzen, a member of the team since 2022, to group head of HR.

ENG Aviation promoted Tony Angelini from first officer to captain. He has contributed significantly to organ recovery and air transport logistics missions across the U.S. at the aircraft charter management company.

Thierry Gonzalez Lopez joined RealClean Aircraft Detailing as national accounts director. His 18-plus years of experience include working to strengthen operations, building partnerships with clients, and improving service standards.

Awards & Honors

Ryan Maldonado, line service supervisor at Del Monte Aviation, was recognized with the Leadership Impact Award at the 36th Annual Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) Recognition Lunch in November. Maldonado supervises daily ramp and customer service operations at the Monterey, California FBO and also serves as a mentor to his team members.

Sam Bousfield, CEO of Samson Sky, received the GSA Global Innovator Award 2025 in December during a congressional ceremony on Capitol Hill. He designed the hybrid-electric Switchblade Flying Car, which first flew in November 2023.

Avfuel awarded $5,500 in funds to individuals pursuing careers and advancements in aviation as part of its 27th scholarship class. Amber Mielke received the $2,000 Avtrip scholarship, which she plans to use for training at Clear2Aviate as she works toward both her commercial pilot and CFI certificates. Receiving a $1,500 Pilot-in-Training Scholarship, Andrea Ritter—a student pilot training at Flex Air in Kansas—is working toward her instrument rating. Cooper Donaghy was awarded a $1,000 Pilot-in-Training Scholarship, which will go towards a career in aviation, with the goal of becoming a commercial helicopter pilot. A fourth scholarship went to Jacob Gentile, a high school senior pursuing his private pilot license; he plans to use the scholarship to continue his training at Eagles Nest Flight Services.