Story ID: 
Gulfstream Names Swift To Succeed Sperry
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Roger Sperry is retiring from Gulfstream after 20 years with the company and nearly 50 in business aviation.
Word Count: 365
Gulfstream Aerospace announced promotions in both its sales and international teams, including a new regional senior v-p for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent who will succeed Roger Sperry. 

Sperry is retiring at the end of the year after serving with Gulfstream for 20 years and in the business aviation industry for nearly 50.

“I would…like to thank Roger Sperry for his immense contribution to Gulfstream’s success through the years,” said Scott Neal, senior v-p of worldwide sales for Gulfstream, crediting his “vision and leadership” for establishing a leading market share in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sperry’s aircraft sales career began with Cessna in 1973 and he ultimately managed sales across all product lines there before joining Learjet in 1992. Sperry moved over to the Galaxy Aerospace sales and marketing department when it launched in 1996 and remained with Gulfstream after the Savannah, Georgia, manufacturer acquired the Galaxy programs in 2001.

Succeeding Sperry is Michael Swift, who will relocate from New York to London. Swift joined Gulfstream in 2018 as a regional vice president of sales after holding aircraft financing positions with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Textron Financial.

“Michael Swift has quickly established himself as an accomplished sales leader, and I am excited to have him join the Gulfstream sales leadership team,” Neal said. “Michael’s strong customer-focused skills and background in aircraft finance will allow him to build upon the Gulfstream success we’ve enjoyed in the EMEA-ISC region.”

In addition, Chad Beaulieu was promoted to regional v-p of sales for the south-central U.S. He succeeds Sherman Griffith, who is retiring after 15 years with the company. Beaulieu previously was regional sales manager for the south-central region and has also served with a number of other business aviation organizations such as Leviate Air Group, Dallas Jet International, and Starbase Jet.

Meanwhile, Tim Wood has rejoined Gulfstream as regional sales manager for the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Previously with the Royal Air Force, Wood served with Gama Aviation before originally joining Gulfstream in 2018. He subsequently took a role as v-p of aircraft sales for Wallan Aviation.