Story ID: 003
People in Aviation—June 2026
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: Pratt & Whitney Canada, Yingling Aviation, and Kopter are among those with new leaders
Word Count: 1361
Pratt & Whitney Canada named Satheeshkumar “Kumar” Kumarasingam as its next president, succeeding Maria Della Posta upon her retirement effective June 1. Kumarasingam joined the company in 1995 as a mechanical engineer and has since held roles in engineering, quality, operations, sales and marketing, and customer service. He was appointed chief transformation and strategy officer in 2022, and most recently served as chief digital officer beginning in 2025. Della Posta, who led the RTX subsidiary through a period of significant product development, oversaw the launch of several engines. 
Gregg Fahrenbruch took over as CEO of Yingling Aviation in April as part of a planned leadership transition. Fahrenbruch’s previous experience includes a term as Wheels Up’s executive v-p of operations, CEO of Mountain Aviation, and, most recently, operations manager at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Michele Riccobono, chief technology officer of Leonardo’s company Kopter for nine years, is moving up to the position of CEO. Former chief executive Marco Viola is shifting to another position within the Leonardo Group. As CTO, Riccobono directed the AW09’s development and certification. During his term as CEO, Viola oversaw Kopter’s integration into Leonardo’s helicopters division.
NTSB member Michael Graham was appointed to serve as vice chair, filling the slot vacated last year after the White House ousted Alvin Brown from the safety agency. Graham joined the Safety Board as the 45th member in January 2020 and has been nominated for a second term as a member that would extend through Dec. 31, 2030. 
Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri), who has served in the U.S. Congress since 2001 and took over as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2023, decided against seeking reelection this year. A private pilot who has amassed well over 5,000 hours of flight time, Graves steered through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, including the first-ever title solely dedicated to general aviation. More recently, he has been helping drive a broad safety bill, the so-called Alert Act.
Giovanni Spitale, previously CEO of Davis Standard, was named president of StandardAero’s business aviation segment. Former president Anthony Brancato III has retired after almost 10 years at StandardAero. Spitale’s three-plus decades of leadership and operations experience include roles at Milacron Holdings, GE Aviation, Moog, and Honeywell International.
APP Jet Center named Eric Hietala chief operating officer. Most recently, Hietala consulted in business and general aviation, and he was previously senior v-p of airport property development and senior v-p of the western region at Signature Aviation.
Simone Pérez joined the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) as v-p of civil aviation. In addition to holding the position of senior director of civil aviation at AIA from 2022 to 2023, Pérez was previously assistant administrator for policy and strategic engagement at the FAA.
Gulfstream Aerospace made several recent appointments and promotions in its strategic sales team. Thomas Verbeeck, who joined Gulfstream in 2021, was named regional v-p of sales for Alabama, North Florida, and Tennessee. Matt Baer, regional v-p of sales for the Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canada, was promoted to regional v-p of sales for Northern California, Arizona, and Oregon. Justin Gaeta, meanwhile, is taking over as regional v-p of sales for the Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canada after five years in sales management with the company. In Latin America, Pedro Ruiz was selected as v-p of the region. Ruiz started his tenure at Gulfstream in 2007 and was most recently regional v-p of new aircraft sales for South America. The company promoted Luiz Alves, regional sales manager for Latin America, to regional v-p of sales for South America. Gulfstream Aerospace also recently hired Matt Davies as director of service center operations at its facility in Farnborough, England. Davies previously worked at AAR company Airinmar as well as Honeywell Aerospace and GE Aircraft Engine Services.
Car rental company Go Rentals made two leadership appointments. Hiral Nelson, now director of FBO relations, worked to elevate the guest experience in previous roles. Named relationship manager for Go Rentals, Kelsi Yordi brings significant knowledge and experience in aviation operations.
Michael Lawrence was promoted to director of FBO operations at Fargo Jet Center, overseeing line service operations at Premier Jet Center (KFCM) and Fargo Jet Center (KFAR). He joined the company in 2017 as operations manager and had served as general manager of subsidiary Premier Jet Center since 2021.
Chapman Freeborn promoted Adnan Rahal to senior v-p of business aviation, supporting the company’s global strategy. Rahal had previously worked to strengthen Chapman Freeborn’s presence in key markets as v-p of business aviation for the Americas.
Janine K. Iannarelli was re-elected to the Associate Member Advisory Council of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). An EBAA member for more than 30 years, Iannarelli founded Par Avion in 1997 and continues to serve as its president.
Joan Sullivan Garrett was tapped as the newest member of Corporate Angel Network’s board of directors. Founder and chairman of MedAire, Garrett has made significant contributions to the advancement of health and safety protocols in the aviation industry.
Atlantic Jet Partners named Steve Takacs v-p of maintenance and general manager of Sky Aircraft Maintenance. With more than four decades of experience in aviation maintenance, Takacs has held leadership roles at Wheels Up, United Express, Mountain Aviation, and Travel Management Company.
 
Awards and Honors
The British Business General Aviation Association presented board member Charles Henry with the Michael Wheatley Award for Outstanding Services to Aviation. Henry was chair of the General Aviation Awareness Council for more than 25 years and had also served as director of AOPA UK for 25 years.
Angel Flight West honored Cutter Aviation, Huntsman Cancer Institute, and two volunteer pilots at its 12th annual Endeavor Awards on May 1 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Cutter Aviation president and CEO Will Cutter and Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah received Inspiration Awards. Endeavor Awards were presented to volunteer pilots Chris Bennett of Angel Flight West and Jerry Hill of Challenge Air for Kids and Friends.
Industry veteran Keith Clark received the Flight Safety Foundation’s (FSF) 2026 Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award at the 71st Business Aviation Safety Summit (BASS) in May. A senior quality control and technical representative at Phillips 66 Aviation, Clark was recognized for his efforts in misfueling prevention and operational safety.
Final Flight
John J. Sheehan III, a decorated U.S. Navy aviator, general aviation advocate, and author, passed away in March at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 85. Sheehan’s four-decade career in aviation spanned military service, association leadership, consulting, and publishing.
After retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1980, he served as executive v-p at AOPA and later as secretary general of the International Council of AOPA. Next, he worked as an aviation consultant with Phaneuf Associates in Washington, D.C., before founding Professional Aviation Inc., a firm that advised corporate flight departments on safety, training, and management practices.
Sheehan contributed to NBAA and IBAC as a consultant, auditor, and presenter. His book, “Business and Corporate Aviation Management,” remains a standard reference for professional flight departments and is included in NBAA’s Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) curriculum. He also authored several articles on safety, leadership, and management for two NBAA quarterly publications.
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said: “John was a true advocate for the general aviation community, promoting its value and protecting its access for nearly 40 years. He quite literally wrote the book on business aviation. His life’s work has made us better, safer, and more professional. His mark on our industry will long endure.” He is survived by his wife of 55 years and three daughters.
 
Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran Charles R. Brown has passed away at the age of 79. A leader in business aviation, Brown held leadership roles at Atlantic Aviation, Aero Services, and International Aviation, later serving in a leadership capacity at Del Monte Aviation in California.