Jim Smisek
Jim Smisek is the new certification director and Designated Alteration Station (DAS) administrator for S-TEC Corp., a digital autopilot and flight control systems provider in Mineral Wells, Texas. He is responsible for oversight of S-TEC’s supplemental type certificate (STC) programs and will assist in the design of the company’s current and new products. Smisek was previously general manager of Chelton Aviation Corp.’s Autopilot division. S-TEC is part of the Aerospace Systems group of UK-based Meggitt. Visit www.s-tec.com.
Zusman, Smiley
The IMI Sensors division of PCB Piezotronics Inc. has appointed George Zusman as director of product development. The company also has named Gene Smiley as international business development manager. Zusman will oversee all research and development for the company’s vibration monitoring instruments. He was formerly director of engineering, and then president, of Metrix Instruments Co. Smiley comes from MTS System Corp. of Eden Prairie, Minn., where he was channel manager. Visit www.imi-sensors.com.
Teixeira, Astic
Miami-based EADS Barfield, a subsidiary of EADS North America, has appointed Patrick Teixeira as vice president of airline programs. The company also has named Didier Astic as vice president of purchasing. Teixeira will develop EADS Barfield’s airline-related services, including instrument repair, overhaul, procurement, logistics, distribution and support. Astic was previously vice president of operations for Thales Avionics. He will oversee purchasing, inventory management and OEM contracts for EADS Barfield. Visit www.barfield.eads.net.
Steve Humphries
Cable and connector manufacturer Sabritec has named Steve Humphries as European sales manager. He will be based in London, England. Humphries comes from Florida RF Labs/EMC Technology, where he was responsible for sales within Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Visit www.sabritec.com.
Changes In Command
Col. Robert Stambaugh has taken over command of the U.S. Air Force 312th Aeronautical Systems Wing, which is responsible for fighter and attack aircraft programs. Stambaugh is responsible for F-16, F-15 and A-10 aircraft and related combat systems, as well as F-35 training, at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He was formerly vice commander of the USAF Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson. In a separate appointment, Lt. Col. Ronald Hirtle has assumed command of the USAF Aeronautical Systems Center’s Detachment 1, Plant 42, operation in Palmdale, Calif. Visit www.wpafb.af.mil.
New Appointments
Aircraft communications equipment supplier Northern Airborne Technology Ltd. has appointed three executives at its facilities in Seattle and Kelowna, Canada. The company has promoted Mitch Stinson to vice president and general manager of NAT Seattle, overseeing that location. He was previously vice president of engineering for NAT Kelowna. Maurice LeNoble is the new vice president of engineering for NAT Kelowna and Gary Cooper is the new contracts manager for that location. Visit www.natech.com.
Glenn Cothran
Aircraft modifications provider Stevens Aviation has promoted Glenn Cothran to general manager of its facility at the Greensville-Spartanburg Airport in South Carolina. A 25-year employee of Stevens, Cothran was formerly general manager of the company’s facility in Nashville, Tenn. Stevens has promoted Randy Smith to replace Cothran at the Nashville location. Visit www.stevensaviation.com.
Robert Topping
Westar Aerospace and Defense Group President and CEO Robert Topping has joined the board of directors of Athena Technologies. Based in Warrenton, Va., Athena produces flight control and navigation systems for unmanned air vehicles. Westar provides weapons systems and services to the U.S. Department of Defense. Visit www.antenati.com.
Aled Miles
Helinet Aviation Services, Van Nuys, Calif., has appointed Aled Miles as president and chief operating officer. The company also has formed a board of directors. Miles was previously vice president and managing director for Symantec Corp.’s Middle East and African operations. The new board includes Helinet founder Alan Purwin, CEO David Calvert-Jones and Barry Frank, IMG Media vice chairman, among others. Visit www.helinet.com.
Management Changes
Tempe, Ariz.-based aircraft support provider, Landmark Aviation, has named several new managers at its fixed base operations (FBOs) around the United States. Alphonso James is the new general manager of the company’s location in Greensboro, N.C. He comes from the Landmark FBO in Albany, Ga. Scott Bridge will replace James in Albany. Bridge previously served as general manager of the company’s facility in Lakeland, Fla. Landmark also has appointed Richard Collins as general manager of its FBO in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was formerly general manager of the facility in Rochester, N.Y. Eric Hermann has replaced Collins. Hermann comes from Signature Flight Support in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was operations manager. Landmark provides avionics modifications and support in addition to FBO and maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Visit www.landmarkaviation.com.