Michael Toscano
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), in Arlington, Va., named Michael Toscano executive director. Toscano most recently was chairman of the Physical Security Equipment Action Group (PSEAG) and Program Manager for Research and Development for Nuclear Security in the Office of the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters. Since 1990, Toscano has been a member of the Under Secretary of Defense Acquisition, Technology and Logistics staff. He coordinated three Department of Defense joint programs: the Joint Robotics Program from 1990-2003, the PSEAG from 1991-2003 and 2005-2008, and the Joint Unexploded Ordnance Detection and Clearance Program from 2001-2003. Toscano served on the AUVSI board of directors from 2003-2005 and was an advisory member to the 2002 Naval Research Advisory Committee study on the "Roles of Unmanned Vehicles." Toscano succeeds Daryl Davidson as AUVSI executive director. Davidson, who has been with AUVSI for 20 years, was named executive director of the AUVSI Foundation, a public charity supporting youth activities.
Avidyne Promotions
Avidyne, Lincoln, Mass., named Dave Spector senior director for its aftermarket integrated flight deck sales. Before joining Avidyne, Spector co-founded a boutique institutional broker/dealer, WCM Partners, which prepared financial research reports on the technology and health care sectors. Before that, he worked for Idec, now Biogen Idec, and US Filter Corp. Avidyne also appointed Michael E. Glover to direct its development of OEM and strategic alliances. Glover will be responsible for business and product development, program management, marketing and sales for general and commercial business aviation products. Most recently, he was director of commercial air transport for Innovative Solutions and Support. He also worked for Delta Air Lines, starting as a mechanic and working his way up to system manager-CNS Integration in Delta’s Flight Operations Division. Avidyne named Jacob Ward regional sales manager for the southeast United States. His experience includes sales positions at Aerospace Products International and Iviation. Most recently, he was a business development officer for Farr Associates, a leadership and organizational development company.
Lorraine Bolsinger
Lorraine Bolsinger was named president and CEO of GE Aviation Systems, of Cincinnati. Bolsinger most recently was vice president of ecomagination, GE’s sustainable business strategy. Bolsinger joined GE in 1981 in the Technical Marketing Program, with assignments in Steam and Gas Turbine Sales and Application Engineering. She then joined GE Aerospace, where she held several project management roles. In 1996 she joined Military Systems as vice president and general manager of Military Marketing & Marine Engines. In 1999 she was promoted to vice president, Product Management, for Services, proceeding to vice president and general manager of Market Development and Sales, for Services. In 2003, she was named vice president of marketing for Aviation.
Rick Day
FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) named Rick Day senior vice president for operations. Day, who joined FAA in 1974, was vice president for En Route and Oceanic Services. He will be responsible for leading all segments of ATO’s Operations unit — En Route and Oceanic, System Operations, Technical Operations and Terminal. Previously, Day was director of En Route and Oceanic Operations in the Eastern Region. Before that, he was air-traffic division manager in both the Central and Southern regions. In 2001, Day was acting regional administrator of FAA’s Central region in Kansas City. He also was manager of the Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center and branch manger in the Central Region’s Air Traffic Division.
Chris de Hoog
TrueNorth Avionics, of Ottawa, Canada, named Chris de Hoog avionics product program manager to assist with support of its line of Simphone airborne telecommunications systems. He has more than 10 years experience, with work in field support, integration and product verification management on satellite systems and data products at EMS Satcom and Mitel Corp.
Universal Appointments
Universal Avionics Systems Corp., of Tucson, Ariz., named Andy Seaton, (right) director of product support. Seaton will oversee product support in Tucson, Wichita and Basel, Switzerland, including Repair Facilities, Field Support and Training departments. Seaton has 12 years of experience in product support management. He joined Universal Avionics in 2004 as a field service engineer. Most recently, he was manager of Midwest regional product support. Before joining Universal Avionics, Seaton worked at Cessna Aircraft, where he was an avionics integration engineer, group leader in design engineering and designated engineering representative for systems and equipment. Universal Avionics also named Robert Clare director of OEM marketing. Clare, who has been with Universal Avionics since 1992, most recently was manager of Central Region Marketing, responsible for the growth and development of Universal Avionics product sales across 11 Midwest states.
Jim Williams
Stevens Aviation, of Greenville, S.C., named Jim Williams vice president of Avionics Sales and the Defense Avionics Group. Williams has held numerous technical and management positions over his 35-year career with Stevens, including director of operations, assistant general manager, director of the Beechcraft Division and avionics shop manager.