Story ID: 003
People in Aviation
By: AIN Staff
Caption: A monthly recap of industry job title updates, leadership changes, and honoring the memory of aviation VIPs who have taken their final flight.
Word Count: 1267
Elliott Aviation and its subsidiaries Elliott Jets and Prizm Aircraft Products appointed Dan Edwards as president and CEO. Edwards’ aviation career spans more than 25 years and includes executive leadership roles at MAG Aerospace, Aviation Technical Services, and Zodiac Aerospace. He most recently served as CEO of Triman Industries.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) expanded the role of president Bryan Burns to include the position of CEO and hired Debi Carpenter in a newly created leadership role as executive director. Prior to joining the ACSF, Carpenter served as the head of marketing and communications at unmanned aerial vehicle cargo manufacturer Natilus. She has also held senior positions with organizations including the Southern California Aviation Association and Eco Aviation International, as well as served as a board member of Women in Corporate Aviation and as a member of the NBAA local and regional leadership committee.
Brad Williams was hired by Signature Aviation as COO and Derek DeCross was promoted to CCO. Williams joins Signature from 7-Eleven where he served as senior v-p of corporate store operations and restaurants. He also held the position of executive v-p of operations with Sunoco before its acquisition by 7-Eleven. DeCross most recently served as senior v-p of customer engagement. Before joining Signature, he held the role of senior v-p of global sales with IHG Hotels & Resorts and served for 20 years with American Airlines in a variety of roles, culminating as v-p of global sales.
Bridget Gonchar was appointed as COO by Epic Fuels—a Signature Aviation company. Gonchar has more than 15 years of experience in the aviation industry having previously held various leadership positions at Signature, including v-p of operations support, v-p of integration, and director of FBO operations.
Heart Aerospace appointed John Slattery as non-executive chairman of its board of directors. Slattery continues to serve as executive v-p and CCO at GE Aerospace. Prior to joining GE, he served as president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, and before that, spent 15 years in various executive roles at leading commercial aerospace advisory, aircraft leasing, and aviation banking organizations. 
The National Air Transportation Association board of directors elected Todd Anderson, COO of Sheltair, as board chair, taking the helm from Clive Lowe, executive v-p at Atlantic Aviation, who will continue to serve as immediate past chair on the organization's executive committee. Five new board members were also elected to serve at large: Travis Grimsley, v-p of aircraft services at Duncan Aviation; Cristine Kirk, president and CEO of Malone AirCharter; Mary Miller, v-p of industry and government affairs for Signature Aviation; Kathryn Purwin, CEO and owner of Helinet Aviation Services; and Craig Teasdale, v-p of operations for Ferrovial Vertiport.
Friends of Naples Municipal Airport announced a new slate of board officers: Stephen Myers, an FAA-certified pilot, certified aviation manager, and executive v-p of Elite Jets, is now president of the Florida airport advocacy group; Bill Earls, a luxury real estate broker with John R. Wood Properties, is v-p; Christel Johnson, real estate broker and owner of Paradise Coast Property Team, is treasurer; and Bruce Byerly, a third-generation aviator and owner of Byerly Aviation in Peoria, Illinois, is secretary.
Tim Wood was promoted to regional v-p of sales for Africa, Turkey, and South Asia at Gulfstream. Wood previously held the role of regional sales manager for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Prior to joining Gulfstream, he was responsible for the business development of aircraft management in Europe for Gama Aviation and held a role with the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Guardian Jet appointed Tom Cyr as v-p for the U.S. Upper Midwest region. Cyr has four decades of experience in the industry in a broad range of roles including as an A&P technician for Kaman Aerospace, Midwest field technical representative and technical sales representative for Pratt & Whitney Canada, director of sales for Central Flying Service, and director of business development for Jet Support Services.
West Star Aviation hired Todd Pogue as director of Bombardier at its East Alton, Illinois facility and Anthony Irwin as program manager at its Chattanooga, Tennessee facility. Pogue has more than 30 years of experience in the industry with a background in avionics, maintenance, interiors, and operations management. He previously served in roles including as a service team manager, project manager, and aircraft supervisor on refurbs. Irwin has 31 years of experience in the industry having previously worked at Embraer and the Embraer NetJets Phenom 300 program.
Helicopter dealer Rotortrade appointed Gerard Pau as managing director of its French locations and head of the European region. Pau’s aviation career spans more than 40 years in the industry and comprises various senior positions at Airbus Helicopters, including managing director, GM, and regional head of operations.
Aero Asset hired Andrea Winning as market research director, Shaun Geng as v-p of operations, and Tristan Sandor as senior director of mission-critical services. Winning has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry having served as project manager at EADS Deutschland and in various marketing and customer relations roles with Airbus Helicopters. Geng has 20 years of experience in business relations and previously held senior positions at InterContinental, Hyatt, Marriott, and Accor in Europe, North America, and Asia. Sandor’s background includes roles with Global Medical Response where was responsible for financial operations, equipment finance, fleet management, procurement, and sales.
Jet East, a Gama Aviation Company, appointed Shellie Lewis as Gulfstream product director and Kara Finn as senior director of retail operations. Lewis’ career in the aviation industry spans more than 35 years and includes a 26-year tenure with Gulfstream where he held positions including senior mechanic, senior airworthiness inspector, site lead, and quality supervisor. He has also served as director of operations with Leucadia Aviation and most recently at Leviate Air Group as chief inspector, director of maintenance, and v-p of technical services. Finn has 30 years of experience in aviation maintenance having earned her A&P immediately after high school. She held previous positions with companies including SkyWest Airlines, Bombardier, Nextant Aerospace, and Jet It.Jet Access promoted Walt Schmeis from Hawker captain to chief pilot for its Part 135 charter certificate. Schmeis has nearly 31 years of piloting experience in a variety of operations including scheduled airlines, VIP royal and ministry special flights, VIP corporate flight departments, medevac, and Part 135 charter. He holds airman certificates from five different countries with multiple jet aircraft type ratings. He has also previously served in consulting and management positions as board technical advisor, director of standards, director of flight operations, fleet supervisor and check airman.
Final Flights 
Malcom Anderson (Andy) Wilson, 52, passed away unexpectedly on June 1. Wilson was well known in the King Air community and had previously held roles with Ice Shield and Stevens Aerospace. He most recently served as a sales director with Jet East. His interest in history and family genealogy impacted his wishes to have his ashes scattered over the Highlands of Scotland. 
Wilson leaves behind a wife, Stacie, and a daughter, Emma Grace, as well as his mother.