• 27 Apr 2025 05:50 PM
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Leadership Moves, May/June 2025

Horizon Hires Former Lilium Engineer

Wyzykowski On Feb. 19, Canada-based Horizon Aircraft announced the hiring of John Wyzykowski as a technical expert to assist propulsion development of its hybridelectric Cavorite X7 aircraft. Wyzykowski brings his electric aircraft experience from Lilium, where he worked from 2021 until May 2024 as its head of propulsion. Previously, he worked at Pratt & Whitney Canada from 1993 until 2020, when he departed as senior director of engine development programs.

Yates Joins Electra as VP of Government Programs

Manassas, Virginia-based Electra Aero announced on Feb. 20 the hiring of Donn Yates as vice president of government programs to help Electra seek new development and procurement contracts for its EL9 aircraft. Yates previously worked at Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security Division, joining in 2021 and departing in December 2024 as its vice president of air dominance business development and strategy. Yates served in the military for 25 years until retiring in 2020 as a US Air Force colonel.

Vaeridion Appoints Kochs-Kämper and Stouten

On Feb. 20, Vaeridion announced it had promoted Markus Kochs-Kämper to chief technology officer and appointed Taco Stouten as chief commercial officer. Kochs-Kämper joined Vaeridion in 2023 as vice president of engineering and has 25 years of aviation experience. He previously worked at Heart Aerospace from 2021 to December 2023, departing as its head of design organization. Stouten previously worked at component support provider Spairliners as vice president of sales and marketing, after working at Airbus Helicopters from 2009 to 2021 in both engineering and sales positions.

United Rotorcraft Hires Eaton as VP of Sales

On Feb. 27, United Rotorcraft (an Air Methods Division) announced the hiring of Jeanette Eaton as its new vice president of sales and business development. Eaton previously worked at Lockheed Martin as director of strategy and business development from 2021 to 2023. She also worked as a sales director at Bell Helicopter from 2004 to 2013 and at Sikorsky in business development positions from 2013 to 2021.

Staff Rotations at Dufour Aerospace

On March 13, Switzerland-based Dufour Aerospace announced the hiring of Christophe Colucci as its new lead systems engineer, who transitions into that role with the promotion of Timon Wehmann to product manager. Colucci joins Dufour from Mercury Systems, where he worked since 2016 before departing as its chief engineer director of aerospace and defense for electronic, embedded systems. He previously worked as systems team manager for aerospace and defense at Creative Electric Systems, which he joined in 2002. Wehmann joined Dufour in 2020 as an intern and has since developed software and flight control systems for Dufour’s aircraft. The company states, “his hands-on experience with these systems positions him perfectly to lead product evolution and innovation.”

Former Acting FAA Head Nolen Joins ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia announced on March 20 that it had appointed Billy Nolen as its senior strategy and regulatory advisor as the company seeks certification of both its electric motor and hydrogen-electric powertrain. After 26 years flying for American Airlines and six years as an executive in the industry, Nolen worked as acting administrator of the FAA starting in April 2022 before stepping down in June 2023. That same month he joined Archer Aviation as chief safety officer and is now its chief regulatory affairs officer.

Enstrom Promotes Richardson to CEO

On March 28, Enstrom Helicopter announced it had promoted its chief operating officer Adam Richardson to CEO of the company. Prior to joining Enstrom in 2023, Richardson worked in a range of operational roles at Rolls-Royce from 2005 to 2022 and previously served in the US Marine Corps. Enstrom’s former president Todd Tetzlaff will remain on staff as senior vice president of regulatory affairs and global relations.