Story ID: 003
People in Aviation
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: Jennifer Homendy confirmed for three more years as chair of the NTSB
Word Count: 1524
Bas Gouverneur will take over as CEO of Daedalean, replacing Luuk van Dijk—the company’s founder—who will remain executive chairman of the board. Gouverneur most recently held the title of chief technology officer at Swiss aviation technology leader Ruag.
The U.S. Senate confirmed a three-year extension of Jennifer Homendy’s term as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Homendy joined the NTSB in August 2018 and took over as chair in 2021, succeeding Robert Sumwalt, who stepped down after serving on the Board for 15 years.
Wheels Up has appointed a new chief commercial officer, Dave Harvey. Harvey, who brings with him 25 years of experience, most recently managed Southwest Airlines' B2B segment as chief sales officer.
Solairus Aviation appointed Brent Monroe as chief growth officer and promoted Bob Marinace to chief experience officer. Monroe brings more than 30 years of experience in private aviation, and Marinace most recently was senior executive v-p at Solairus.
Airshare tapped Henry Kim as v-p of sales for the U.S. Northeast. Kim’s experience includes leadership roles at Bombardier, Wheels Up, and NetJets, and he most recently was the chief commercial officer at Jet It. Airshare also appointed Kristi Veitch as v-p of human resources. Veitch brings more than 25 years of experience in HR, including serving as executive v-p of HR for Intouch Solutions and executive v-p of people for Eversana.
Gulfstream Aerospace promoted Kirsten Menza to division v-p of sales for the Western U.S., Western Canada, and Latin America. Menza’s 20-plus years of experience in the industry includes working as regional sales manager at Gulfstream since 2017. Gulfstream also appointed Anthony Newlin as senior v-p and chief information officer. Newlin, who has more than 25 years of experience in the field, took over from Sheryl Bunton, who retired. Newlin, who joined Gulfstream in 2016, previously was a senior consultant at IBM,
Law firm Clyde & Co has hired Elizabeth Evans as a partner for its New York office. Evans previously worked for the firm K&L Gates and has significant experience in aviation finance transactions.
Stephen Stasiak is taking on the position of general manager at Daher’s U.S. facility in Stuart, Florida. Stasiak previously worked for Safran, Viking Air, and L3 Harris and also flew OH-58 Kiowa helicopters in the U.S. Army.
Monaco-based brokerage Opus Aero has appointed Zipporah Marmor as managing partner of its North American operations.  Marmor embarked on her aviation career in 2000 with Bombardier and since has held roles such as v-p of sales at NewJet International in Monaco, and director for aircraft sales and acquisitions and v-p of aircraft transactions at ACASS.
Conrad Thiesen was hired as director of sales at Wetzel Aviation. Thiesen previously worked at Blackhawk Aerospace and as director of avionics sales at Elliott Aviation.
Susie Corn, Duncan Aviation’s regional manager of the South Central U.S., was promoted to manager of the company’s regional manager team. Corn has been employed at Duncan Aviation for seven years, having started as a senior sales rep for engine sales and services. Duncan Aviation also recently added Codie Sharpe to the avionics sales team at its facility in Provo, Utah. Sharpe is an ATP-rated pilot and flew aircraft at commercial operators for several years
West Star Aviation appointed Josh Perkins as director of quality control for its enterprise segment. Perkins’ previous experience includes working for StandardAero, AeroTurbine, and Frontier Airlines, and most recently he oversaw PHI Aviation’s MRO business.
Bismarck Aero Center appointed Benjamin Weldon as a certified flight instructor and commercial pilot. Weldon received his private pilot, instrument, commercial, and CFI ratings at flight schools in the Sacramento, California area. The company also announced that Donnie Goven, a member of its maintenance team since 2017, passed the certification exam to receive his FAA inspection authorization endorsement.
Oscar Martinez was hired to oversee aircraft sales in Mexico as part of the Southern Cross Aircraft team. Martinez brings more than 10 years of experience in aviation, including overseeing managed aircraft maintenance for Aerolíneas Ejecutivas and leading JSSI’s commercial operations in Mexico and Central America.
George J. Priester Aviation has hired Rustin King as its new national charter sales director. King’s experience in charter sales and management, for both large and small operators, spans more than 25 years.
Awards and Honors
Joseph-Armand Bombardier, founder of the Canadian company that has grown into a global business aviation manufacturer and services provider, was posthumously inducted into the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame in May. This honor recognizes his foundational contributions to transportation technology, most notably the invention of the Ski-Doo snowmobile.
Born in Quebec in 1907, Joseph-Armand Bombardier was a prolific innovator, obtaining 16 U.S. patents over his career. His early work focused on overcoming the challenges of snowbound transportation in rural Canada, leading to the development of a patented sprocket wheel/track system in 1937. In 1942, he incorporated his business as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée. His most famous invention, the Ski-Doo, introduced in 1959, marked a breakthrough in lightweight, motorized snow vehicles.
The company entered the aviation industry with its purchase of aircraft manufacturer Canadair in 1986. Bombardier continued to develop and improve the Challenger widebody business jet and also launched the Bombardier CL-415 amphibian—designed specifically for aerial firefighting—in 1994.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame, in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since 1973, acknowledges individuals whose ingenuity significantly advances technology. Bombardier's induction highlights not only his impact on recreational and utility snow vehicles but also his legacy in aviation.
A group of students from Woodbridge High School in Redbridge, UK, won a sustainability challenge as part of London City Airport’s three-month-long “Women in Aviation” education program. The students presented suggestions for making the airport more sustainable, including a redesign of the terminal and the use of alternative fuels.
Tim Barber, EMEA aircraft sales and acquisitions at Duncan Aviation, was featured in the 2024 Spear’s 500 Lifestyle Index as one of the top private client advisors. Barber’s experience in aircraft sales and acquisitions spans 15 years and includes playing a key role in establishing JetBrokers Europe.
Final Flights
Dick Rutan, an iconic figure in aviation history known for his record-breaking nonstop flight around the world in the Rutan Model 76 Voyager, has died at the age of 85. Rutan passed away on May 3 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, surrounded by family and close friends, including longtime companion Bill Whittle.
Born in Loma Linda, California, Rutan's storied career began in the U.S. Air Force where he flew 325 combat missions during the Vietnam War. As a fighter pilot, he faced intense situations, including two instances where he had to eject from his aircraft.
In December 1986, Rutan and copilot Jeana Yeager made aerospace history with the Voyager aircraft, designed by his brother Burt Rutan. The aircraft, made largely of carbon fiber, took off from Edwards Air Force Base and completed its global journey without refueling in just over nine days. This achievement earned them not only a place in the history books but also a Presidential Citizens Medal awarded by then-President Ronald Reagan.
Following his military and test piloting careers, Rutan continued to work on various projects, including the innovative Pond Racer, and he participated in test flights.
Rutan's contributions to aviation are immortalized in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where the Voyager is displayed.
“Dick Rutan was a legend who will be profoundly missed,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.
 
Vietnam veteran and business aviation advocate Paul Smith passed away on May 10. He served more than 27 years in both the U.S. Air Force and Army, receiving the Bronze Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Army Commendation Medal, among others.
After his military service, Smith joined AOPA in 1985 and then Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—his alma mater—the following year. He then joined NBAA in 1987 as the director of airspace, air traffic, and infrastructure.
“Paul was our original advocate with Air Traffic Services,” said NBAA senior v-p of education, training, and workforce development Jo Damato. “His legacy is, in part, the successful effort to win a policy decision from FAA leaders to involve NBAA in the agency’s daily collaborative decision-making process for coordinating all stakeholders in the aviation system.”
Before retiring from NBAA in 2006, Smith became one of the association’s first regional representatives. He was honored with the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2016, and he represented the Texas Aviation Association for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Advisory Committee.
“Paul’s lifelong mission was one of service, first and foremost to his country and then to the aviation industry that he loved,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.