People in Aviation

Hartzell Engine Technologies named Keith Bagley president. He succeeds Mike Disbrow, who is retiring. Bagley previously spent nearly 14 years with Pratt & Whitney, most recently as general manager of the engine maker’s Columbus Forge operation in Columbus, Georgia.

Masood Hassan, president of Teledyne Controls, is retiring in July after 35 years with the business. Masood joined Teledyne Controls in 1983 as a senior member of technical staff, later was promoted to vice president of aircraft systems, and ultimately became president. The company named George Bobb III to succeed Hassan following his retirement. Bobb joined Teledyne Technologies in 2008, was subsequently named president of Teledyne Aerospace Electronics and also serves as president of Teledyne Scientific & Imaging.

Mark Saturno was promoted to president of Esterline’s Simulation Visual Systems business unit and Frank Timmermans to president of Esterline’s Advanced Displays business unit. Saturno, who joined Esterline through the acquisition of the aerospace and defense display businesses of Barco in February 2015, had served as vice president for worldwide sales, Simulation Visual Systems and before that had spent nine years with Cubic Defense Applications. Timmermans, who also joined Esterline through the Barco acquisition, had been vice president and general manager of both the Esterline Simulation Visual Systems business and the Esterline site in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Airbus has named Richard Marelli, president of its Helibras subsidiary, as Airbus's lead executive for Brazil. Marelli, who has worked for Airbus since 1981, has played a role in the development of the Dauphin and Super Pumain France, served as director of the NH90 assembly lines, and has been at Helibras since 2010.

Elliott Aviation is celebrating the 40th anniversary of chairman and CEO Wynn Elliott with the aviation services business. In addition, the company promoted Sam Elliott to vice president and general manager of the Des Moines, Iowa facility. Wynn Elliott joined the company, then known as Elliott Flying Service, in 1978 as a line service technician, held roles as vice president and general manager in Omaha, Nebraska, and became chairman and CEO in 1993. During his tenure, he renamed the company Elliott Aviation, steered major renovations and expansions that included interior refurbishment and design centers, added several new programs such as the Elliott Aviation Sound Management System for King Airs, and relaunched the Elliott Jets aircraft sales division. Sam Elliott joined the company in 2013 after holding management roles at Des Moines based Kum and Go and most recently was director of operations at Elliott’s Des Moines facility.

Eurocontrol appointed Eamonn Brennan director general. Brennan, nominated by the Government of Ireland, has been chief executive and a board member of the Irish Aviation Authority. He succeeds Frank Brenner, whose term ended on December 31. He had held the position since  Jan. 1, 2013.

NBAA has named two new regional representatives as the association expands the program to seven regions. Paige Kroner was appointed to the represent the Mid-Atlantic region, a newly added territory for the association. Brittany Davies, meanwhile, becomes the Northeast regional representative, taking over for Dean Saucier, who retired at the end of the year after 17 years with the association. Kroner joined NBAA in 2014 after serving as manager of industry and government affairs then as FBO deputy manager for Signature Flight Support. Davies most recently was president of Wind Shift Consulting, which focused on strategic marketing and development within the business aviation industry, and also was the first executive director of the Westchester Aviation Association in White Plains, N.Y. and vice chair of NBAA’s Local and Regional Groups.

Rick Ochs was elected chairman of the ASTM F46 Committee, which covers academic knowledge standards for aviation maintenance personnel. Ochs, a former avionics department manager for Southern Air Transport, founded Columbus, Ohio-based Spirit Aeronautics in 2000 and currently is CEO of the company.

FlightSafety International announced several management appointments, including the promotion of Brian Moore to executive director, operations. Previously manager of the Wichita East Learning Center in Kansas, Moore has served with FlightSafety since 1990, beginning as an instructor for Beechcraft products and later serving as relationship manager for Hawker and Beechcraft and assistant manager of the center. Scott Politte, most recently assistant manager of the Wichita center, was named to succeed Moore as manager. Politte has served with FlightSafety since 2006, beginning as a product marketing manager in Toledo and then holding positions of increasing responsibility. Chad Raney is stepping into the role of assistant manager, succeeding Politte. Raney has 20 years of aviation experience, joining FlightSafety in 2008 as an instructor and most recently serving as director of programs. Danny Robayo, meanwhile, was promoted to regional operations manager, in addition to his role as manager of the Teterboro, New Jersey facility. Robayo has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility since joining the Teterboro center in 1991, including roles involving Falcon training, as well as director of training and assistant manager.

Scott Kruce has joined Duncan Aviation’s avionics install sales team in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kruce moves into sales after serving as an avionics install technician and crew lead during his past 10 years with Duncan.

Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) named Brendan Lodge as aircraft acquisitions specialist. Lodge, who was the 2012 chairman of the Central European Private Aviation Association, has a background as an aircraft sales broker and financier, and was previously director of aircraft sales and acquisitions at JetBrokers.

Air 7 named Greg Paxson director of maintenance. Paxson has more than 20 years experience holding maintenance leadership roles with Part 135 operations.

Phillips 66 Aviation named Matt Dill director of supply, military, and exports, U.S. marketing, a role that also includes responsibility for the general aviation channel. Dill, most recently director, NGL business development, Midstream, joined the Phillips 66 commercial organization in 2003 as a risk analyst and since has held a range of trading and strategy positions.

Mooney International appointed Jeff Magnus sales manager. Magnus, who flew both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft in the U.S. Marine Corps, subsequently launched his own aviation services company, Magnus Aviation, which became a Cessna sales team authorized representative. He has also served with Signature Flight Support.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited recently hired Vikki Rosploch to serve as events and media coordinator and retained Twain Josephson as an independent contractor. Rosploch brings a background in marketing, formerly working with both non-profits and high-tech companies. Josephson, who will manage sales, has experience in the agriculture market, is both a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot, and has an aerial applicator certificate.

Sharon Klose joined West Star Aviation as director of engine programs. Klose has more than 30 years of aviation experience with companies including KC Aviation and Honeywell, and most recently was senior sales/service engine manager at Duncan Aviation.

Katerina Barilov joined Shearwater Aero Capital. Barilov previously was an investment banker in the Industrials Group of Goldman Sachs, focused on the aerospace and defense sector.

Signature Plating appointed Zane Leake vice president of sales. Leake has nearly 30 years of aviation experience, most recently with AmSafe Aviation.

Executive AirShare promoted Jill Plumb to vice president of marketing and customer experience. Plumb has served with the company for 11 years, most recently as director of marketing and corporate communications.

Scott Olinger has joined upset prevention and recovery training specialist APS as a senior sales manager. Olinger, who has been an airport manager as well as a demonstration pilot for Bombardier, has background as a flight instruction for Part 61, 135, 141, and 142 flight schools.

Final Flight

Thor Solberg Jr., who spent years battling to preserve the family-run and privately owned Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey, died on December 16. He was 74.

“Words can't express how incredibly sad we are to say goodbye to Thor Solberg Jr.,” said a notification from the airport. “He devoted his life to Solberg Airport and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.” Solberg spent his life at the airport that his father, aviation pioneer Thor Solberg Sr., founded in 1939. He also served as a captain with United Airlines, accumulating 11 jet type ratings.

A strong advocate for business and general aviation issues, he became actively involved with National Air Transportation Association. Joining in 1992, Solberg served on several committees, including as chairman of the Flight Training Committee, and held a term as chairman of the association. This groundwork in advocacy came into play when he was forced to fight off an attempted eminent domain seizure of property by Readington Township. The municipality had attempted to “condemn” and take over 624 acres surrounding the 102 acres that make up the actual airport property. Solberg prevailed in the courts and, as recently as early this year, Solberg Aviation won a judgment surrounding recovery of legal fees. Solberg owned and operated the airport with his siblings, Lorraine Solberg and Suzy Solberg Nagle.