Story ID: 003SeptemberAIN
People In Aviation: September 2019
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: WAI's Peggy Chabrian to retire, Romain Trapp becomes president of Airbus Helicopters' U.S. subsidiary, Airbus Helicopters Inc.
Word Count: 1453
Romain Trapp has been appointed president of Airbus Helicopters' U.S. subsidiary, Airbus Helicopters Inc., and head of the North America region for helicopters. He succeeds Chris Emerson, who is assuming the role of president of Airbus Defence and Space. Trapp previously served as CFO of Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Grand Prairie, Texas, beginning in 2008. In addition, Airbus Helicopters is realigning its Executive Committee beginning September 1. Alain Flourens, currently executive v-p of industry, will become executive v-p of operations with responsibility for industry and procurement. Wolfgang Schoder, currently executive v-p of light helicopters and governmental programs, will take the role of executive v-p of strategy, as well as retain his duties as general manager of Airbus Helicopters Germany. Matthieu Louvot, executive v-p of customer support and services, will take over light helicopters and government responsibilities from Schoder in September as executive v-p Airbus Helicopters programs. Beginning in January, Louvot will lead a unified Airbus Helicopters programs. In Louvot’s place, Christoph Zammert, currently head of program support, will be promoted to executive v-p customer support and services and join the Executive Committee. Mathilde Royer, head of global set-up optimization project, will take the role of digital transformation officer and head of company transformation. Royer also will join the Executive Committee. Also joining the Executive Committee is Bernhard Weigl, head of aviation safety and quality.

Dave Labrozzi was promoted to vice-chairman at Global Jet Capital. Most recently COO, Labrozzi had more than 35 years of aviation finance experience with GE, including 22 in corporate aviation financing. Stefan Abbruzzese, meanwhile, joined the aircraft finance provider as chief commercial officer. Abbruzzese brings nearly 30 years of experience in financial services to his new role, including leading the bank loan business at GE Capital and most recently serving as partner and COO at private equity firm L Catterton.

Desert Jet has brought business aviation veteran Jared Fox on board as its new CEO, as founder and current CEO Denise Wilson transitions to chairman of the parent company, Desert Jet Holdings. Fox, who took the CEO role effective August 1, brings more than 20 years of experience in business and general aviation, most recently as a regional sales manager for Epic Aviation. He also served with TWC Aviation, Corporate Aviation LLC, and American Airports Corp. Wilson founded Desert Jet in 2007. She additionally joined jetAviva as sales director for the Citation CJ, CJ1, CJ1+, and M2 markets.

Baker Aviation named Ray Goyco, Jr. CEO of a newly formed organization, Baker Aviation Services Group, which will focus on strategic partnerships, contract management, compliance, and Hot-Stop “L” fire containment kit and parts sales. Formerly president and COO of Baker’s aviation maintenance organization, Goyco has led Baker’s maintenance activities since 2012.

Pegasus Universal Aerospace named Robbie Irons CEO, working with founder and chairman Dr. Reza Mia as the company pursues investors for its hybrid turboshaft/electric-powered Pegasus One VTOL, branded as the Vertical Business Jet. Irons is a seasoned aviation professional who steered his own consultancy and previously has held senior business development and aircraft sales roles with ExecuJet Aviation at Johannesburg's Lanseria Airport.

Joshua Hebert, founder and CEO of Magellan Jets, was named chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF). Herbert—who founded Magellan in 2008 and has since steered it into a multifaceted business with charter, jet card, and other services—has been vice-chairman for ACSF. He is succeeding former chairman Michael Graham, the director of flight operations safety, security, and standardization at Textron Aviation who has been nominated to the NTSB.

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) elected its new board of directors, naming as chairman Curt Castagna, president and CEO of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group. Castagna, who had been vice-chairman, succeeds outgoing chairman Jeff Ross, president and CEO of Ross Aviation. Clive Lowe, senior v-p of business development for Atlantic Aviation, takes over as vice-chair.

Valérie Guillemet was named head of human resources at Dassault Aviation, becoming the first female member to sit on the company’s Executive Committee. Guillemet, who joined Dassault Aviation as an aerodynamics engineer in 1988, led the Rafale and Falcon-series systems department, the Rafale production line, and then the Falcon 7X and 8X line before becoming deputy manager in charge of production and most recently Mérignac site manager.

Embraer Executive Jets appointed Pedro Paiva director of sales for Western and Southern Europe, based in Amsterdam. Paiva joined Embraer in 2002 and has since led several different customer services teams and has played a role in the creation of the Embraer Executive Jets brand.

Roy Gioconda joined Traxxall as v-p of customer success. Gioconda brings 35 years of aviation experience to the newly created role at Traxxall, formerly serving as director of service quality assurance at CAMP Systems, director of maintenance at Guardian Jet and Jet Logistics, and director of quality at FlightWorks.

FlightSafety International promoted Michael Burger to manager of its training center in Teterboro, New Jersey, taking over for Danny Robayo who recently became v-p. Burger joined FlightSafety in 2004 as an instructor at the Farnborough, UK center and has held a series of positions of increasing responsibility, including assistant manager in Teterboro and EASA head of training. Robayo, meanwhile, joined the Teterboro facility in 1991 and has since held positions of increasing responsibility. FlightSafety also promoted Ed Koharik from v-p to senior v-p. A 23-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Koharik joined FlightSafety in 2015 and has also served as general manager, visual systems.

The National Transportation Safety Board named Dana Schulze director of the Office of Aviation Safety. Schulze, who has served with NTSB since 2002, had been deputy director of the Office of Aviation Safety since 2012 and also recently had been acting director.

Scott Stoki was promoted to engine overhaul manager for Duncan Aviation. Stoki, who joined the company in 2005, was an engine line team leader at Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Nebraska facility.

Arizona-based Cutter Aviation has promoted HondaJet and Pilatus PC-24-rated captain Jon Lassak to chief pilot in its charter and flight management department.

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty appointed Tom Fadden global head of aviation. Fadden, who joined Allianz in 2004 has been regional head of aviation.

Miguel Gallardo joined Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems as a Gulfstream maintenance sales representative. Gallardo brings a background in end-user maintenance and parts sales and business aviation experience in Latin America to his new role.

René Changtin joined Acass as aircraft sales director–Canada & Eastern U.S. Changtin has more than 20 years of aerospace experience, with a background in engineering, flight testing, customer relationship management, technical sales support, and, most recently, business jet sales and acquisitions.
Awards and Honors
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is creating a new award, the Bruce Whitman Trophy, in honor of the late chairman, president, and CEO of FlightSafety International and noted philanthropist. Whitman, who passed away in October 2018, will be the initial recipient of the trophy established in his name in recognition of his contributions to the aerospace industry over 60 years. NAA will present the first trophy to Whitman’s family and colleagues at the NAA Fall Awards Dinner.

“Bruce will be sorely missed by the thousands he has touched,” said NAA chairman Jim Albaugh. “Over the years, he gave generously of his time to promote and remember the sacrifices of our military.”

The award will be presented annually to “outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation or aerospace in the U.S., and who by working with museums and other institutions have promoted an appreciation by students and the broader public of the sacrifices and legacy of members of the military service."
Final Flights
Mary Nevada-Morgan, who had left a mark for strong customer service during her eight-year tenure with Million Air Dallas, died unexpectedly on June 29 at the age of 35. Born Sept. 17, 1983, in Dallas, she graduated from the University of Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in human resources and management.

Nevada-Morgan later joined Million Air and had served as a senior customer service representative/account specialist. In that role, company executives said, she worked with a number of corporate operators, many of whom became “loyal customers (fans).” Her customer service earned her “Above and Beyond” recognition in this year’s AIN FBO Survey.

The FBO chain said the “entire Million Air family…will truly miss her. She will always be remembered for her joyful heart, love for others, and the spirit that will always be Mary.” She is survived by her husband, Christian Morgan, daughter, Jocelyn Nevada-Morgan, and mother, Norma Reyes Nevada.