Universal Appointments
Universal Avionics, Tucson, Ariz., made several management moves, including the appointment of a chief operating officer (COO). Paul DeHerrera (right), who most recently was vice president of marketing and product support, takes over as COO. He will oversee manufacturing, marketing and engineering support in Tucson, as well as engineering research and development activities in Redmond, Wash., and Duluth, Ga., and support activities in Wichita, Kan., and Basel, Switzerland. DeHerrera, who joined the company in 1994, is a FAA licensed pilot and holds an Airframe & Powerplant license.
Don Berlin, who was the most recent COO, was named senior corporate vice president.
Daniel Reida, a 29-year industry veteran, is the new vice president of marketing. Reida began his career at Universal Avionics in 1989 and most recently served in the position of worldwide marketing director.
Tim Quilter, Werner Langhans
Era Corp., Reston, Va., named Tim Quilter director of product management for its Air Traffic Management business unit.
Quilter will lead Era’s global research and development efforts for the Air Traffic Management Solutions business unit. He will be responsible for Era’s strategic product roadmap and its suite of multilateration and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast products. Quilter was most recently with Roke Manor, where he served as head of Air Traffic Management strategy and product line manager for multilateration systems.
Werner Langhans has been appointed director of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region for Era Corp.’s Air Traffic Management business unit. He will be responsible for the overall growth and development of the Air Traffic Management Solutions group.
Langhans joins Era from Austro Control, where he has held positions in technology development and strategic business development. He is also the current chairman of Eurocontrol’s Multilateration Task Force.
Clayton M. Jones
The Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), Arlington, Va., elected Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and CEO Clayton M. Jones chairman for 2008. Jones began his term as AIA chairman Jan. 1. He succeeds William H. Swanson, chairman and chief executive officer of Raytheon. Robert J. Stevens, chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin, was elected AIA’s vice chairman.
Matt Cowan
Avidyne Corp., based in Lincoln, Mass., named Matt Cowan southeast regional sales manager. Cowan is an 800-hour instrument-rated private pilot with sales experience and regional knowledge.
Before Avidyne, Cowan was at Guaranty Bank Home Equity, where he advanced from account executive to Southeast and Mid-Atlantic accounts manager. Before that, he was regional sales representative for International Paper and was a sales representative for International Heritage.
Rick Blanton
Western Aircraft, Boise, Idaho, named Rick Blanton avionics systems integrator. Blanton will be responsible for creating and updating avionics structural drawings for aircraft modifications and repairs, providing integration analyses and providing technical assistance to avionics customers.
Blanton, who has been in the avionics industry for more than 18 years, has been with Western Aircraft for eight years as an avionics technician and team lead. Western Aircraft operates a FBO, FAA-certified aircraft repair station and maintenance/modification facility for corporate and general aviation.
Mark Harris
Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Lynnwood, Wash., named Mark Harris site leader of its Fort Walton Beach, Fla., location. He will be responsible for manufacturing as well as site leadership, quality, operational excellence and strategic deployment at the site, which manufactures aerospace electronics.
Harris joins Crane from Danaher Corp. in Greensboro, N.C., where he was business unit director for commercial products, fuel management systems, and retail solutions.
Russell Otowchits
Banyan Air Service, located at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Executive Airport, named Russell Otowchits avionics service manager.
Otowchits’ avionics career started in 1991 as an avionics technician for the U.S. Navy and later as a shop supervisor. After the Navy, he held positions at Greenwich/GE Engine Services, Certified Aircraft Parts, Miami Aircraft Corp., and Mesaba Airlines. His roles ranged from avionics supervisor, quality control inspector, A&P technician and avionics technician.
Goodrich Appointments
Goodrich Corp., Charlotte, N.C., promoted Scott Kuechle to executive vice president and chief financial officer. Kuechle, a 24-year Goodrich veteran, served as senior vice president and CFO since 2005. He started his career at Goodrich as a financial analyst and held positions in finance and accounting.
John Grisik, executive vice president, operational excellence and technology, is retiring. Jerry Witowski, formerly segment president, electronic systems, will succeed Grisik as executive vice president, operational excellence and technology. Witowski joined Goodrich’s Sensor Systems division in 1978.
Curtis Reusser, formerly president of Goodrich’s Aerostructures division, will succeed Witowski as segment president, electronic systems. Reusser joined Goodrich in 1988 when it acquired Tramco, where he was manager of engineering.