Story ID: 003
People in Aviation
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: People in Aviation
Word Count: 1394
Gulfstream boosted its international sales team with the appointment of new division vice presidents for sales. Business aviation veterans Benoit Defforge and David Taylor will have responsibility, respectively, for the Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia-Pacific regions. Dubai-based Defforge was formerly CEO and president of Airbus Corporate Jets and more recently was CEO of Stanton & Partners Aviation. Taylor joined Gulfstream from business aircraft broker Burrows Aerospace, where he was sales director for the Asia-Pacific region. Gulfstream has also appointed Jack McGowan as its new regional v-p of sales for Northern Europe. He was formerly the executive sales director for Flexjet and will be based in London. Gavin Thompson has been promoted to senior regional sales manager for worldwide sales, leading its global network of regional sales managers. Scott Butcher has joined Gulfstream as a regional sales manager for Europe, having previously worked for charter flight provider Starflight Aviation. Jessica Gagen has been recruited as a sales engineer to support the team in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
AOPA named Darren Pleasance as its new president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Pleasance, an experienced pilot with more than 8,000 hours TT in more than 50 aircraft types, brings a background in both aviation and business leadership to the role. His appointment follows the retirement of Mark Baker, who served as AOPA’s president for more than 11 years and played an important role in advocating for general aviation.
The European Business Aviation Association promoted Róman Kok to director of public affairs and communications. Kok brings a background in European policy as well as previous experience at the Dutch Embassy in Warsaw and an American lobbying firm in Brussels.
Rolland Vincent Associates named business aviation expert Dean Roberts as v-p of strategy, sustainability, and development. Roberts formerly worked at Rolls-Royce for more than four decades, with expertise in strategy, industry analysis, market forecasting, and analytics. 
Ahmad Al-Shiply was promoted to CFO of Million Air Dallas. Al-Shiply previously was director of accounting and finance at the company.
Garett Jerde was appointed as CEO of JetHQ and Rebecca Johnson was named COO. After working as a pilot and sales professional at Hawker Beechcraft, Jerde founded JetHQ in Dubai at age 28. Johnson joined the company more than seven years ago and has served as president of sales in Europe, as well as global sales president.
Eve Air Mobility hired Megha Bhatia as its chief commercial officer. Bhatia previously served as chief strategy officer at JSSI.
Asian Sky Group (ASG) hired Justin Yeung as business development and sales director with a primary focus on aircraft transactions. Yeung’s 15-plus years of experience in aviation includes serving as director of aircraft management and charter at Hong Kong-based Metrojet. ASG also hired Paul Tsang as sales director with a focus on both aircraft charters and sales. Tsang recently served as v-p of ACMI and business verticals for Chapman Freeborn and had also worked for both Hongkong Jet and Gama Aviation.
Integrated safety and quality management software provider ASQS promoted Florian Lis-Srajer to head of operations in Thailand. Lis-Srajer joined the company in 2020 and will continue serving as a project and account manager.
JSSI appointed Natalie Vander Kelen v-p of customer support for Traxxall. Vander Kelen’s recent experience includes managing operations and customer support at Veryon (formerly ATP/Flightdocs).
Joseph Behling was hired as the FBO general manager at Cutter Aviation’s Phoenix Sky Harbor location. Behling has more than two decades of experience in the aviation industry.
Maureen Gautier was hired by aviation sustainability group 4Air as the U.S.-based company’s program manager in Europe. With a background as a business aviation attorney, Gautier was formerly the sustainability and future workforce manager for EBAA, where she helped to launch the group’s Standards & Training for Aviation Responsibility and Sustainability program.
C&L Aviation Services hired Felipe Garcia as component shop manager for C&L’s new landing gear and wheel and brake capabilities. Garcia’s experience in the aviation industry spans more than three decades, including more than 25 years of landing gear maintenance expertise.
West Star promoted Ray Sharp to the position of director of maintenance at its East Alton, Illinois facility, where he will oversee all maintenance programs. Sharp previously worked as an airframe and powerplant technician at Cessna and was recently employed at StandardAero for 25 years.
XTI Aerospace hired Tobin Arthur as chief strategy officer. Arthur has more than three decades of experience working with companies to develop and implement innovative corporate strategies, including Starbucks, CureUs, and AngelMD.
Awards and Honors
Marcela White, co-owner of Tavaero Jet Charter, was recognized at the International Conference for Women as a 2024 Breakthrough Woman. A licensed pilot and certified cabin attendant, White has more than 35 years of experience in the aviation industry. 
Elie Zelouf is among the inductees who were recently recognized as European Living Legends of Aviation. Zelouf has worked at Jet Aviation since 1967 and received the European Business Aviation Award in 2010 for his contributions to the company and business aviation community.
Janine K. Iannarelli, founder and president of Par Avion, was recognized as a role model in the aviation industry at the 2024 Women in the Fast Lane of STEAM Luncheon and Style Show hosted by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Iannarelli’s experience in the aviation industry spans more than 35 years and she serves on the board of directors of FBO/MRO Heritage Aviation.
The National Aeronautic Association’s (NAA) Fall Awards event this year honors luminaries spanning the aerospace industry, including AIN Media Group co-founder and chair emeritus Wilson Leach with the Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Award. Other recipients of the Distinguished Statesman award include safety expert Gregory Feith, champion aeromodeller Jim Richmond, and veteran communications and marketing executive Robert Stangarone, who recently became president and CEO of the Corporate Angel Network. These are the 2023 recipients, with 2024 still to come.
Other award recipients include David Allvin, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, with the Clarence H. Mackay Trophy; PenFed Credit Union president and CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck, with the Bruce Whitman Trophy; Irene Trowell-Harris with the Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Trophy; and Arthur “Trip” Barber with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale World Air Sports Federation (FAI) Frank Ehling Diploma.
In addition, NAA will present the Public Benefit Flying Awards. The recipients include Dennis Phelan with Distinguished Volunteer Pilot; David Brubaker with Distinguished Volunteer; and Jim Hesseman with Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying.
NBAA has given a Silk Scarf Award to John Hoover, an aviation tax attorney and former chair of the NBAA Tax Committee. This award recognizes Hoover’s significant contributions to the business aviation industry, particularly in providing expert guidance on aviation finance and taxation.
Since joining Holland & Knight as a partner in 2018, Hoover has become a leading authority on structuring business aircraft transactions and navigating federal and state tax issues. His expertise has been invaluable in helping companies understand and comply with evolving tax regulations that affect the aviation industry. Hoover has also been a key figure in addressing tax controversies on behalf of his clients and the broader business aviation community.
Additionally, Hoover has played a crucial role in NBAA’s efforts to clarify complex tax policies and advocate for the industry. As an active member of the NBAA Tax Committee, he has provided input on several regulatory initiatives. He is also a frequent speaker at NBAA's Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference.
Garmin co-founders Min Kao and the late Gary Burrell were honored with enshrinement into the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) during its 60th annual ceremony held September 14 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This accolade recognizes their lasting contributions to the aviation industry, cementing their legacy alongside other aviation pioneers.
Also recognized this year were the late Don Bateman, chief engineer of flight safety avionics at Honeywell, and Peggy Chabrian, founder and long-time president of Women in Aviation International, among others.