Story ID: 003
People in Aviation — December 2025
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: Omar Hosari is president of Syria's civil aviation authority and Paul Fermo president of Ascent AeroSystems.
Word Count: 1478
 
Syria’s new government recently appointed business aviation executive Omar Hosari as president of the country’s General Authority for Civil Aviation. Hosari, who hails from Syria, is a co-founder of Dubai-based flight operations support specialist UAS International Trip Support.
Go Rentals marked its 30th anniversary with a series of leadership appointments and promotions, including advancing two longtime executives to senior leadership roles. Trissy Pickett was named senior v-p of aviation development and industry relations, and Clair Joseph became senior v-p of aviation partnerships. To further support the company’s growth, several new executives joined the leadership team. Martin Elliott, formerly CFO of Spanx, was appointed CFO. Shawn O’Brien, previously a partner at Bain & Company and longtime advisor to Go Rentals, became COO to oversee daily operations and strategy execution. In addition, Cory Glass joined as v-p of sales and business development, and Shayma Hesari as v-p of marketing.
Paul Fermo, v-p of business development at Ascent AeroSystems, will become president of the company on October 1, following the retirement of cofounder Peter Fuchs. Fermo, a former U.S. Navy aviator, has worked at Ascent for more than five years.
Gregory Krekeler, previously v-p and general manager of StandardAero’s facility in Maryville, Tennessee, was named president of the company’s component repair services business. Krekeler’s 20-plus years of experience in aerospace and defense include leadership roles with Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. Michael Kaplan also rejoined StandardAero as chief legal officer. Kaplan recently worked at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright as senior counsel, and he had previously held the titles of senior v-p, general counsel, and chief security officer at StandardAero.
Elliott Aviation promoted Rick Rogers, general manager of the company’s headquarters in Moline, to v-p of nationwide operations. He served as head of program management for Comlux before joining Elliott Aviation, and he had also previously held the title of manager of programs at StandardAero.
John Witzig of Pfizer was named to a second term as chairman of the NBAA board, and Matt Byrd of Hillwood Aviation has taken the role of vice chair/treasurer of the business aviation association. Witzig and Bryd were among several of those elected during the NBAA board of directors annual meeting in October. Daniel Baker, founder of FlightAware and currently with BakerVentures, and Tyson Weihs, ForeFlight co-founder and currently with Makana Holdings Management, were each re-elected to three-year terms on the board of directors. Other moves included a change in the Advisory Council: Bill Dolny of MedAire replaced Weihs as chair; Lannie O’Bannion of Textron Aviation will serve as first vice chair; and Joe Barber of Clay Lacy Aviation is second vice chair. Dolny, O’Bannion, and Barber will also serve as the business member advisors on the NBAA board. Ron Duncan, Monte Koch, and Lloyd “Fig” Newton each are returning for another one-year term as chair emeritus, providing mentorship and guidance to directors.
Heidi Williams was named NBAA’s v-p of air traffic services and infrastructure. Williams, who joined the association in 2016 as air traffic services director, represents business aircraft operators on the floor of the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center. She previously worked for Lockheed Martin and AOPA.
Trent Zwiers, project manager at Duncan Aviation, was promoted to interior manager of the company’s MRO facility in Provo, Utah. He joined the company in 2015 and has held roles in customer service, production management, and project leadership.
Raminta Kaspare joined C&L Aerospace as regional sales manager for corporate parts. Her 12 years of experience in the aviation industry include 10 years in business aviation, with roles such as procurement, sales, and project coordination. C&L Aerospace also hired Guillermo Soto as regional sales manager for Latin America. His four decades of experience in aviation include working as a commercial pilot and in aircraft sales for Saab and Embraer.
Hunt & Palmer USA added industry veteran Helen Hollis to its North American management team as v-p of key accounts. She had worked for Hunt & Palmer’s UK office more than 20 years ago and has since gained deep knowledge of the North American market.
The National Air Transportation Association appointed Natasha Eckard Hammond to its board of directors. Hammond is NetJets’ director of government and external affairs, and her previous experience includes serving as policy advisor for John Boehner, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives at the time.
Corporate Angel Network hired Ericka Essington, founder and CEO of Air Nurses, as its ambassador. Essington brings experience from an 18-year career as a registered nurse and serving as clinical director of medical transport for a major healthcare organization.
Matt Pfaeffli joined Jetcraft as sales director for Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, and is now based in Orange County, California. Pfaeffli’s prior experience includes 15 years of client management and business development at NetJets.
Awards & Honors
Leonard Michael Greene, the late Safe Flight Instrument Corp. founder and Corporate Angel Network (CAN) co-founder, and aviation pioneer Ross Perot Jr. are among a slate of individuals selected for the 2026 National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF), the organization announced at NBAA-BACE 2025 in October. In all, seven individuals were selected in the 2026 class, also including famed pilot C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger; the late John Odegard, founder of the University of North Dakota’s School of Aerospace Science; the late William Bahret, known as the "father of stealth;" and pioneering astronauts Peggy Whitson and Shannon Lucid.
Pete Bunce, former GAMA president and CEO, and EAA chairman and CEO Jack Pelton were inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame during ceremonies on November 8 at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The recognition honors Bunce’s contributions to general aviation advocacy following a distinguished military career and Pelton’s leadership across multiple sectors of aviation. Both executives have shaped policy and industry development over decades of service.
NATA has named two managers at Signature Aviation who stepped in to help in the aftermath of the January 29 midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) as recipients of its 2025 Industry Excellence Leadership Awards. Adam Cope and Connor Thoreck—the respective general manager and operations manager at Signature Aviation KDCA—were honored for their “extraordinary leadership every day and particularly during the January 29 air disaster over the Potomac River, which claimed 67 lives,” NATA said. A 30-year veteran of Signature Aviation, Cope was recognized with a Leadership Excellence Award for guiding his team as they prepared for emergency response and for coordinating with federal and local agencies to support recovery efforts. Thoreck, who joined Signature in 2022 as a line service technician and was quickly promoted to operations manager, was recognized with the Future Leader Award for his professionalism and initiative during the crisis as well as daily. Cope and Thoreck were recognized on November 18 during NATA’s 2025 Aviation Business Conference in Dallas. NATA also recognized Michael Grossmann, founder and CEO of Castle Aviation, with its 2025 Distinguished Service Award. Grossmann is part of NATA’s board of directors and has participated in FAA aviation rulemaking committees, as well as the TSA’s Aviation Security Advisory Group’s working group for air cargo initiatives.
The Flight Safety Foundation recognized two industry executives for their leadership and contributions to aviation safety during the group’s 78th annual International Aviation Safety Summit in November. Yannick Malinge, Airbus’ senior v-p and chief product safety officer, was recognized with the Jerome Lederer Safety Leadership Medal. Ratan Khatwa, who received the David Morrison Innovation Award, is an executive technical fellow at Boeing and previously was a senior chief engineer at Honeywell.
Daniel Desjardins, senior director of global risk management and insurance at Bombardier, received the Donald M. Stuart award from the Risk and Insurance Management Society. The group said that he has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to excellence at Bombardier for four decades.
William Standerfer, a professor at Aims Community College’s aviation department, was chosen for induction into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in recognition of his community service and contributions to flight safety and education. A pilot since 1970, Standerfer worked as an electrical engineer at Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies for three decades and has taught as a professor at Aims for 13 years.
NBAA’s 2025 Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award was given to six individuals who contribute to safety in business aviation. Recipients include Joe Barber of Clay Lacy Aviation, John Cox of Safety Operating Systems, Joseph Rivera with International Aviation Services, Jack Santucci of Reyes Holdings, Kris Stewart with Wyvern, and Phillip Taylor of Advanced Aircrew Academy. Awards were presented during NBAA-BACE on October 15.