Story ID: 
People In Aviation
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: People in Aviation
Word Count: 1447
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reappointed NBAA’s Doug Carr to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). Carr, who is senior v-p of safety, security, sustainability, and international operations for NBAA, will represent aircraft owners and operators under Parts 91 and 135 on the ARAC.
MD Helicopters (MDH) made several changes to its executive leadership team. Daniel Searcy, previously senior director of aftermarket customer support, was promoted to v-p of aftermarket. Todd Heussner, formerly senior director of supply chain at MDH, has taken on the role of v-p of operations and supply chain. Fred Kaplan was appointed as the company’s CFO, bringing more than 35 years of experience including serving as CFO at O’Hare International, Midway International, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airports.
Reynolds Jet appointed James Murray—the company’s president since 2021—as CEO. Murray, a commercial pilot, has worked in the private aviation industry for more than two decades.
Wheels Up Experience chief financial officer Todd Smith is leaving the company for a new role, and chief legal officer Laura Heltebran is departing to “pursue other opportunities,” the company announced in August. Matthew Knopf has joined Wheels Up as chief legal officer and secretary, and Eric Cabezas is acting as interim CFO while a search is conducted for Smith's replacement.
Thomas Illner, previously CEO of Lufthansa Technik’s (LHT) BizJet subsidiary, has taken on the position of managing director and head of the Americas region at Lufthansa Technik Component Services. Berit Plewinsky was promoted from senior director of product sales and fulfillment single events and closed loop for LHT’s aircraft component segment to the position of v-p of commercial aircraft component services. Other recent changes to the company’s leadership structure include Tim-Oliver Fedeler’s promotion to managing director of Lufthansa Technik Component Services Asia Pacific and senior director of product sales and fulfillment for the same region. Jens Michel became the v-p of sales for North East Asia, and Alexander Sixt was appointed as managing director at Lufthansa Technik Intercoat. Fabian Nagel has taken over as LHT's v-p of sales for VIP special aircraft services, taking over from Wieland Timm, who is retiring after more than 20 years with the company.
Business aviation support services provider ACASS has hired Paul Ludick as sales director for Africa. Ludick’s 26-plus years of experience in the aviation industry include serving as CEO of ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria and as sales director for Luxaviation ExecuJet in South Africa.
Tom Phillips was hired for the role of regional director of Satcom Direct’s Asia-Pacific operation. Phillips has worked for Satcom Global for more than 10 years, including leading the company’s Singapore operation.
Smart Aviation expanded its team with the hiring of Max Cassar and Scott Harding as trainee aircraft charter brokers. The new hires will work across both the commercial and private jet departments within the company.
Patricia Nagata Hamza was appointed to the Advanced Air Mobility Institute’s board of directors as v-p of business intelligence. Hamza previously worked for 22 years at Embraer, where she led business strategies that shaped the AAM industry.
Bismarck Aero Center appointed David Pethel and Mason Lindsey as full-time A&P maintenance technicians. Pethel recently earned his A&P license from Lake Area Technical College, and Lindsey received an associate degree in aviation maintenance from Lake Superior College in Duluth in addition to obtaining his A&P license.
Bill Otte was promoted to the role of turbine engine service sales representative for Duncan Aviation’s Pratt & Whitney engine program. Otte’s 40 years of experience in aviation includes working as an A&P technician and as a director of maintenance.
Muzamil El-Zein was promoted to private jets director at Air Charter Service’s Dubai office. El-Zein’s previous experience includes working at Eastern SkyJets. He has been with Air Charter Service for 10 years.
The National Air Transportation Association promoted Jake Legere to associate v-p of sales and marketing. Legere joined the association in 2015 and most recently served as managing director of sales and marketing.
Germany’s DC Aviation added managing director Svenja Wortmann to its board of directors. Wortmann previously served as DC Aviation’s authorized signatory and has been with the company since 2007.
CMAC Group promoted Ashley Seed from director of commercial to interim COO. Seed has worked at CMAC for more than 12 years, having started as a sales executive.
H.W. Lochner promoted Kirk Evans to national aviation practice lead. Evans brings almost 20 years of experience to the role, including the position of central region aviation lead at Lochner.
Boutsen Aviation hired Roxanne Pedersen as head of marketing and Jonathan Courtin as market analyst at the company’s headquarters in Monaco. Pedersen, who brings expertise in communication, branding, PR, and event management, has a master’s in digital marketing and events management from the University of Monaco. Courtin trained at the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy and received his airline transport pilot license; he also has prior experience in private aviation working for Blade Europe. Boutsen also appointed Filippo Arcaleni, a lawyer specializing in aviation law, as its sales representative and business developer for Malta, Italy, and Southern Europe.
Awards and Honors
Susan E. Northrup, the FAA’s federal air surgeon, was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award. Northrup is a private pilot and retired U.S. Air Force colonel who has conducted research and authored publications on cabin air quality, bioterrorism, how sleep aids impact pilots, and other critical issues.
NBAA is honoring Sydney Bosmans for her quick thinking and professionalism that saved the lives of two passengers from the fatal Hop-A-Jet aircraft crash in February in Naples, Florida. Bosmans will receive the Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement from NBAA during a special reception held during NBAA-BACE in October in Las Vegas. “Faced with a harrowing, life-threatening crisis, Sydney Bosmans maintained calm and clear thinking and drew upon her professional training to quickly identify a means of escape that saved three lives,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Safety is at the forefront of our industry, and Sydney’s actions demonstrate how safety is also the paramount duty for all cabin personnel. We are pleased to present her with NBAA’s Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement.”
NBAA will honor long-time former Bombardier leaders Laurent and Pierre Beaudoin with the association’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, recognizing their leadership in fostering industry growth, business aviation safety, and sustainability. The award will be presented on October 22 at NBAA-BACE 2024. “Laurent and Pierre exemplify the pioneering spirit of this honor,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. Laurent Beaudoin joined Bombardier in 1963, became president three years later, and was ultimately named CEO in 1979. He took the company public and ventured into the aviation industry with the 1986 purchase of Canadair. Laurent’s son, Pierre Beaudoin, joined Bombardier in 1985 and became president of the company’s business aircraft unit in 2001 before stepping into the role of president and CEO of the overall company in 2008 and ultimately chairman.
Final Flight
The business aviation community is mourning the loss of Nick Fadugba, whose contributions to the industry—particularly in Africa—have left a profound impact. Fadugba was widely respected for his leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to advancing aviation across the African continent.
Fadugba was perhaps best known for his role as chair of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) from 2018 to 2023. During his tenure at AfBAA, he played a pivotal role in promoting business aviation within Africa, earning recognition for his integrity and vision. His efforts were not confined to business aviation alone; Fadugba was also the founder and CEO of African Aviation Services, where he worked to develop and promote the broader aviation industry across Africa.
His commitment to the industry extended beyond advocacy. Fadugba was instrumental in initiating high-level international aviation conferences specifically tailored for Africa, providing a platform for the continent's aviation sector to engage with global stakeholders. He also pioneered aviation publishing in Africa with the launch of African Aviation, a publication dedicated to promoting the African aviation industry on the global stage.
Fadugba's contributions were widely recognized, including his election as secretary general of the African Airlines Association and his advisory role to the Association of African Aviation Training Organizations. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a prestigious honor reflecting his achievements in the field.