Helicopter Association International (HAI) is recognizing Jeanette Eaton, v-p of commercial strategy and business development for global commercial and military systems at Sikorsky, with its 2021 Excellence in Communications Award. The Lightspeed Aviation-sponsored award, part of HAI’s Salute to Excellence award program, is presented to individuals who have demonstrated a creative distinction in disseminating information about the helicopter industry, HAI said.
HAI called Eaton, who has spent more than 23 years with Sikorsky and another nine with Bell, a “natural communicator” who thrives on sharing her passion for aviation.
Eaton—who grew up attending air shows with her father, a U.S. Army pilot—initially set her sights on engineering and obtained an electrical engineering degree. She became interested in pursuing a career in helicopters after interviewing with Sikorsky and seeing the CH-53E Super Stallion, HAI said. “I was maybe 21, and I was so overwhelmed and impressed with the helicopter,” she recalled. “The engineering, the power, the missions this aircraft could do—it was all so inspiring. I knew right then and there I wanted to work for Sikorsky and work on helicopters.”
Eaton joined Sikorsky and spent her next 17 years there, holding a variety of positions, participating in Sikorsky’s leadership development program, and earning a master’s in manufacturing engineering.
Expanding her roles, Eaton moved over to Bell Helicopter as a sales manager and also obtained her commercial helicopter certificate. “Some of my most treasured experiences have come from trips across the U.S. in helicopters,” she said. “Those experiences are truly the source of my passion, working with customers and flying. We all need to be ambassadors to aviation.”
Sikorsky ultimately recruited her back in marketing and commercial sales roles, and now she oversees strategy and business development for Sikorsky products worldwide. At the same time, Eaton has remained active in promoting the industry, volunteering with the Eastern Regional Helicopter Council and the Whirly-Girls, and highlighting the aviation industry and STEM careers to the Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement, Civil Air Patrol, local schools, and other organizations.
HAI traditionally honors its Salute to Excellence Awards recipients during its annual Heli-Expo convention. However, with this year’s gathering canceled, HAI is planning to honor recipients through a series of virtual events.