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Alex Battaglia

JetBlue Airways promoted Alex Battaglia to senior vice president, system operations. Battaglia will oversee the execution of JetBlue’s day-to-day operations including system operations, dispatch, air traffic management, crew services and emergency response and care.

Battaglia previously was JetBlue’s vice president of airports and operations. In his new capacity, he will also assume responsibility for the airline’s JetForward Program, a multi-year strategic initiative to improve core technology used in planning, running and recovering JetBlue’s operation within system operations.

Battaglia began his aviation career nearly 30 years ago and has held a variety of leadership roles primarily in the airport and operations areas.

Rockwell Collins Appointments

Dave Nieuwsma, who has led Rockwell Collins’ Government Systems Airborne Solutions unit for the last two years, has been named vice president of government systems strategy and business development. The position was previously held by Phil Jasper, who was named executive vice president and chief operating officer, Government Systems, for Rockwell Collins.

In his new position, Nieuwsma’s responsibilities include leading the company’s marketing and sales organization.

Troy Brunk replaces Nieuwsma as vice president and general manager of airborne solutions. Brunk, who had previously was senior director of airborne communications products, has been with Rockwell Collins since 1992. He now oversees the business that delivers avionics and flight deck systems for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The organization also includes the company’s unmanned airborne systems business.

Dale Kirby

SITA, the global air transport IT and communications specialist, added Dale Kirby to its North American sales team.

Kirby brings more than 30 years of aviation industry experience to his new role as SITA vice president, North America, including positions with Delta Air Lines, ARINC and Ultra Airport Systems.

Robert H. Lewis

CAE named Robert H. Lewis vice president and general manager of its global business aviation, helicopter and maintenance training business unit.

Lewis most recently led the growth of Pentastar Aviation as CEO and president of the privately owned U.S. aircraft operating company, MRO and FBO operator. Previously he was president of Everest Fuel Management, an aviation contract fuel provider, and vice president of supply for Sentient Jet.

John Berizzi, Robert Wyatt

Stevens Aviation, based in Greenville, S.C., added John Berizzi to its technical sales group. Berizzi has more than 20 years of experience in the business of aviation. Berizzi will operate out of his Fort Lauderdale, Fla., office.

The company also named Robert Wyatt general manager of its Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport facility in Broomfield, Colo.

Wyatt has held an A&P license since 1996 and has worked at various levels of aviation management including 10 years with Bombardier Learjet.

Michael DiGeorge

ARINC named Michael DiGeorge managing director of the company’s Asia Pacific Division based in Singapore. DiGeorge was formerly the senior director for e-enabled programs based in ARINC’s Hong Kong office.

In his new position, DiGeorge will focus on growing ARINC’s business and solution infrastructure in Asia Pacific, and enhancing customer service and support throughout its multiple business lines including aviation communications, networking, airport operations and security.

MITRE Corp. Promotions

The MITRE Corp. promoted of Lillian Zarrelli Ryals and Sarah MacConduibh. Ryals was promoted to director, senior vice president and general manager of the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD), the FAA-sponsored federally funded research and development center. MacConduibh, Air Force Portfolio director in the organization’s Command and Control Center, was appointed vice president of Air Force Programs.

With MITRE since 1979, Ryals has more than 30 years of experience working in the aviation sector across a broad range of National Airspace System research, modernization and operations activities. She is responsible for CAASD’s work supporting FAA and international civil aviation authorities in addressing operational and technical challenges to meet aviation’s global capacity, efficiency, safety and security needs. Ryals previously served in a variety of leadership roles for the CNS/ATM systems evolution and operations work for FAA.

Previously, MacConduibh was technical director for the Air Force Electronic Systems Center Engineering Office, directing strategic technical planning and providing oversight for more than 200 programs. She also served as director of Integration for Joint Networks, director of engineering and chief engineer for the Air Force Global Information Grid Systems Group at Hanscom Air Force Base and project director for MITRE’s MILSATCOM projects.

Dan Elwell

Airlines for America (A4A) named Dan Elwell senior vice president, Safety, Security and Operations. Elwell joins A4A from the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he was vice president of Civil Aviation.

Prior to joining AIA, Elwell was FAA assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment, responsible for development and implementation of U.S. aviation policy, near- and long-term forecasting and planning, and FAA environmental research and regulatory division.

Elwell also served as managing director of international and government affairs with American Airlines.

Todd Witchall

Crane Aerospace & Electronics appointed Todd Witchall vice president of finance and chief financial officer of the Electronics Group, which is based in Redmond, Wash. Witchall had been with Lockheed Martin since 2000.