Story ID: 003
People in Aviation 
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: David Smith takes over at Robinson Helicopter Company and Wheels Up Experience promotes Dave Holtz
Word Count: 1197
David Smith took over as president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. Smith joined Robinson last year as v-p of operations after a long career at Bell in engineering, program management, product development, and senior executive positions. He also led the Textron Aviation unit TRU Simulation & Training. Smith succeeds Kurt Robinson, who retired from Robinson after more than 40 years with the California helicopter maker founded by his father Frank. Robinson, 66, spent most of his professional career at the company from its inception and took over leadership of the company when the late Frank Robinson retired in 2010.
Private jet charter service Wheels Up Experience promoted former chairman of operations Dave Holtz to COO. Before joining Wheels Up, Holtz ran the operations and customer center at Delta Air Lines. Also at Wheels Up, Rob Hamilton was appointed as the new senior v-p of operations, Pat Busscher as senior v-p of management, Patrick Burns as senior v-p of flight operations, Todd Wesoloskie as v-p of flight operations, and Al Mann as v-p of safety, security, and compliance.
Danny Maldonado, former president and CEO of Textron Financial Corp., is taking on the role of chief commercial officer at Bell Textron. Previously, he was the executive v-p of sales and marketing at Bell.
French aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero appointed Drew McEwen as its chief commercial officer. McEwen brings more than 35 years of experience at Piper Aircraft and Beechcraft.
Rick Rodriguez was promoted to Embraer project manager at West Star’s Chattanooga, Tennessee facility. His previous experience includes working for Continental Airlines, Noble Jet, the Colombian Air Force, and Embraer.
Stephanie Kenyon, who served as interim CEO for Women in Aviation International, was promoted to COO. Kenyon joined the organization in 2021 as its chief growth officer.
The Royal Aeronautical Society has appointed Paul Ashcroft as president of its Singapore branch. Ashcroft recently relocated to Singapore from the UK and now serves as senior v-p of Asia Pacific for aviation asset group AerFin. Previously, he held senior technical positions with Rolls-Royce, Cathay Pacific, and GE Aerospace
Jon Tonko was promoted to chief operating officer at Banyan Air Service. He previously led the customer support department and has more than three decades of expertise in business aviation.
Jenny Ann Urban, managing director of air charter and maintenance at the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), was appointed as the primary NATA representative on the U.S. Department of Transportation Aerospace Supply Chain Resiliency task force.
Jennifer Pickerel, v-p of Aviation Personnel International, was recently selected for the Bombardier Safety Standdown Advisory Council. Pickerel also serves as chair of Endeavor, NBAA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group.
Duncan Aviation appointed Mitch Robson as Southwest regional manager, a role that includes supporting aircraft operators in Utah, Southern Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California. This is Robson’s 25th year with the company. Duncan also hired Colin Kay for the design team at its Battle Creek, Michigan facility. Kay’s previous experience includes working for a range of automotive performance shops where he designed aftermarket performance parts.
Timon Huber, managing director and specialist for JetAviva’s Embraer sales team, was given additional responsibility as the preowned aircraft sales specialist for Mexico. Huber has more than 36 years of experience working for Embraer and joined JetAviva a year ago.
MercFuel, a division of Mercury Aviation, hired Kimberly Ruth as v-p of business development and supply. She will oversee the company’s worldwide aviation fuel sales and supply. Ruth most recently worked for Phillips 66’s aviation fuel department for nine years.
Patrick R. Rizzi, who has almost 30 years of experience advising clients across the aviation industry, has joined Cozen O'Connor’s Transportation & Trade practice as a member. Previously, he was employed at the law firm Hogan Lovells.
Leading Edge Aviation Solutions hired aircraft maintenance professional Rick Raymond as v-p of technical services. He brings more than four decades of experience, from the U.S. Marine Corps to a career in business/general aviation.
Stephen Tong was hired as the director of aircraft management sales at Desert Jet in Greater Palm Springs, California. Tong’s expertise includes aircraft management, operations, acquisitions, and sales.
Michael Malutinok, who started flying at age 14, just became the youngest type-rated Falcon captain at 19 years old. His father, Kevin Malutinok, owns Strategic Air Services and Magna Air Group in St. Louis.
Awards and Honors
The Wichita Aero Club recognized Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) with 2023 Wichita Aero Club Trophy during its annual Trophy Gala on February 3. Also during the event, Molly McMillin, editor-in-chief of The Weekly of Business Aviation and Wichita Aero Club board member, honored two well-known Wichita journalists who passed away last year, AIN senior editor Jerry Siebenmark and Daniel McCoy, a Wichita Business Journal reporter who covered the local aviation beat.Membership in the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, according to the Wichita Aero Club, “has positioned Sen. Moran to be the leader in aviation and an advocate for this critical industry through a multifaceted lens. He has hosted leaders in Kansas to see firsthand the critical work being done to advance our nation’s aviation, space, science, and defense capabilities. Sen. Moran has helped craft legislation to support NASA’s Artemis programs, train the next generation of aerospace engineers and scientists, and invest in research and development to make certain Kansas remains the air capital of the world.”The Trophy Gala event raised about $50,000 this year for educational endeavors and Wichita Aero Club initiatives. 
Vertical Aviation International’s Salute to Excellence Awards recognize individuals and organizations who achieve incredible feats while supporting their local communities and the helicopter industry as a whole. Honored this year with Salute to Excellence Awards were: Steve Buhagiar and David Sidorski, Bristow helicopter pilots, with the Matthew S. Zuccaro Land & Live Award; Michael Sagely, a senior pilot with the Air Operations unit at the Los Angeles County Fire Department, with the Pilot of the Year; Bryan Matuskey, production team leader/videographer at Rotor Pro magazine, with the Communications Award; Catherine Press, CEO of Chinook Helicopters, with the W.A. “Dub” Blessing Flight Instructor of the Year Award;  the team at Rainbow Helicopters with the Humanitarian Service Award; Andrew Edgerton, chief pilot of the Fairfax County Police helicopter division, with the Law Enforcement Award; Michael “Yippy” Yip, director of maintenance at Becker Helicopter Services, with the Maintenance Award, Rex Alexander, founder and president of Five-Alpha, with the Safety Award; the neonatal/pediatric transport team at Children’s Health in Dallas with the Golden Hour Award; and helicopter pilot Anthony “Tony” Cosimano with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition, VAI presented a new Salute to Excellence award—the Harold Summers Legacy Award—to Zhilin Summers in honor of the legacy of her late husband. Harold “Hal” Summers worked with Petroleum Helicopters Inc. (PHI) for four decades before he took on the role of director of maintenance at HAI in 2004.