NATS: James, General Manager, ATS
Steve James leaves his post of civil air attaché for the British Embassy in the United States to become general manager, air traffic service, at London Heathrow International Airport, working for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS). James is a former air traffic controller, employed at Cardiff Airport in Wales and subsequently at Heathrow, where he became ATC watch manager. At NATS headquarters, he took on various duties, including research into ways to increase airport capacity, ATC management inspection, and incident analysis. James has a bachelor’s degree in zoology. Visit www.nats.co.uk for more information.
NATA: New Officers
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has elected as its chairman Jim Christiansen, executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of TAG Aviation. The election took place during the association’s annual meeting in Long Beach, Calif. For nearly 30 years, Christiansen has held positions in aircraft management and charter, and also has chaired NATA’s Fractional Ownership Aircraft Rulemaking Committee. He has more than 6,000 hours of helicopter time and holds commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings.
In addition, Gary Diggers, executive vice president of Midcoast Aviation, was elected vice chairman, and Don Campion, president of Banyan Air Service, was voted to be NATA’s treasurer. Visit www.nata-online.org.
Elliott Aviation: New Officials
Upon creating a new central engineering department at its Moline, Ill., facility, Elliott Aviation named as the department’s new manager Brent Cattanach, and as its new assistant engineer Tom Shadle. Cattanach transferred to Moline from Omaha, Neb., where he was Elliott Aviation’s avionics manager. Shadle came to Moline from the company’s Des Moines, Iowa, facility, where he was avionics lead and inspector. Visit www.elliottaviation.com.
Garrett Aviation: New Officials
Garrett Aviation has announced that Jeff Garwood, former CEO of Commerx Inc., has been named the company’s president, replacing Ron Frederick, who is retiring. Prior to his post at Commerx, Garwood held various management positions with Garrett’s parent company, General Electric. Garrett also recently named James McDonough and John Barrera as regional sales managers, both operating out of the company’s Houston, Texas, facility. McDonough, who comes from Bombardier Aerospace, covers a territory that includes North Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Barrera, from FlightSafety International, in Houston, covers Mexico and Central America. Visit www.garrettaviation.com.
GHz Technology: Yam, VP-Engineering
GHz Technology Inc., which produces radio frequency and microwave power transistors, appointed Michael Yam as vice president of engineering. Yam will focus on application support activities. With experience in satellite and wireless digital communications and microwave systems, he most recently held management posts at Globalstar LP, a consortium of international telecommunication companies, and at satellite manufacturer Loral Space & Communications Ltd. Prior to that, the Yale University graduate in physics was cofounder and vice president of business development for Menlo Industries Inc., which makes microwave components and subsystems. Visit www.ghz.com.
Thales: Cavaiola, President-North America
Lawrence J. Cavaiola has been appointed president of Thales International North America and chairman and CEO of Thales Inc., effective June 4. His role is to represent the company in the United States and Canada. Cavaiola has held senior positions at Northrop Grumman, Litton Industries, Loral Corp., Lockheed Martin, U.S. Congress and the Department of Defense.
François Gayet was named senior vice president France defense, part of the defense business of Thales. He joined the company (formerly called Thomson-CSF) in 1975. Visit www.thalesgroup.com.
Jet Aviation: Barron, Director
Jet Aviation recently hired Alvie Barron as director of sales/maintenance and avionics at West Palm Beach, Fla. He is in charge of business development in maintenance and avionics for Jet Aviation’s West Palm Beach facility. Barron has nearly 20 years experience in aerospace and aviation, most recently as avionics manager for General Dynamics at West Palm Beach. Visit www.jetaviation.com.
Jet Works Aviation: Ward, Avionics Sales Manager
Fort Worth, Texas-based Jet Works Aviation Inc. has appointed Anthony (Tony) Ward sales manager of its avionics division. The Irvine, Texas, native was sales manager and design engineer at K.C. Aviation and also has held positions with Electrosonics, Jet East and Hill Aviation of Dallas. In total, he has 20 years of experience in the avionics industry. For more information, phone 817-626-4292.
AAR: Gullion, Executive VP/COO
Wood Dale, Ill.-based AAR recently appointed Joseph M. Gullion to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer. Gullion formerly was president of Boeing Airplane Services and joined AAR in March as vice president-strategic planning and acquisitions. He also once served as vice president of global sales, marketing and new business development for AlliedSignal Aerospace. Visit www.aarcorp.com.