Category: About People

ARSA Honors John Goglia

During its Annual Repair Symposium on March 19, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association recognized the Honorable John Goglia with the association’s Leo Weston Award for Excellence in Government Service. The award is given regularly during the event, which is part of the association’s Annual Conference, to honor those improving aviation safety by strengthening the aerospace maintenance community.

The Hon. John Goglia provides “Lessons from a Hall of Famer” after accepting the Weston Award on March 19.

First bestowed in 2005 on Weston himself, the award recognizes an influential figure in ARSA’s birth by honoring individuals who embody his commitment to the industry. As an FAA official, Weston advocated for the creation of an organization to represent the interests of maintenance providers. Since then – through his long life of professional and personal dedication to public good and continuing since his death in 2020 – he has been an inspiration for the association and its members. Goglia knew Weston personally and accepted the award with memories of sparring over compliance matters.

“John has worked hard to bring young people into the industry for years and one of those people, believe it or not, was me,” ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod said while announcing the Weston Award. MacLeod shared her memories of early meetings in which Goglia supported positions he knew to be right, even when they were unpopular; he stood up for the insight and expertise of those involved regardless of their pedigree or technical background.

A certificated mechanic whose career included a seat on the National Transportation Safety Board before transitioning into advocacy for maintenance career development, Goglia was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2024. He is the first technician to bear that honor since the Wright Brothers’ personal engineer and father of aerospace maintenance, Charlie Taylor.

Goglia has been known to ARSA’s executive team since long before he accumulated his now-formidable record of public service and recognition. He was not yet “the Honorable,” but an outspoken certificated mechanic and union representative. As an association also known for its outspoken leadership, the subsequent decades of collaboration with “Dr. John” have included vigorous, entertaining, and humorous discussions that always resulted in progress beneficial to the industry. ARSA’s management firm assisted in the business formation of the Aerospace Maintenance Council and the AMC Competition, which is Goglia’s great passion and a celebration of the skill, dedication, and commitment of technicians from around the world. Through his personal engagement, professional achievement, and the impact on so many others committed to the industry, John is an example of a technician who has “made good” for countless colleagues around the world.

“I’m home,” Goglia said as he accepted the award in front of maintenance personnel gathered for ARSA’s event. “This is my home. This is my people…We’re all cut from the same cloth. We all do the same things. Now we’ve got to pull together to change that paradigm [distracting attention from the importance of aerospace technicians].”

To celebrate Goglia’s honor, ARSA committed to raising money for the John J. Goglia Trophy Endowment Campaign. The trophy will be managed by the National Aeronautic Association and the only U.S. award focused solely on outstanding contributions in aviation maintenance. The association committed $1,000 dollars to the fund as part of its Weston Award celebration and encourages all its members and colleagues to get involved.

“I’m going to push this industry ahead,” Goglia said, noting his opportunity to support fellow technicians. “I’m going to get us the recognition we [deserve].”

To learn more about the Goglia Trophy campaign, click here.

To see previous Weston Award winners, click here.

Premier Aircraft Announces That Michael Smelcer has Joined as New Regional Sales Manager

Premier Aircraft, the longest-standing and most trusted Diamond Aircraft dealer in America, announced today that it is welcoming Michael Smelcer to its growing team of aircraft sales professionals.

“Michael comes to Premier having already established himself as a skilled pilot and a knowledgeable and safety-minded aircraft sales representative,” stated Jeff Owen, vice president of sales for Premier Aircraft. “Like many of us, he started his private aviation journey working at a local FBO, and that early experience working around all kinds of aircraft and pilots was the foundation for his high level of professionalism, product knowledge, and a ‘customer-first’ mindset.”

“I’d met many of the Premier Aircraft team members at Oshkosh and other aviation events, and the company’s close-knit culture always seemed like it would be the perfect fit for my career and my family,” Smelcer said. “The way Premier Aircraft’s team treats each customer like a member of its extended family. I can’t imagine a better place to build my career.”

Owen said that, in addition to his role as a regional sales manager for the entire Diamond Aircraft line, as well as the other piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft represented by Premier Aircraft’s brokerage services, Smelcer will focus on showing flight schools and universities how they can leverage the Premier Advantage Flight School Leasing Program to affordably upgrade their training fleets.

Before joining Premier Aircraft, Smelcer was an aircraft sales associate for Central Flying Service in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smelcer completed his flight training at Liberty University. A commercial and multi-engine rated pilot, he currently has over 900 hours and has flown 19 different piston, turboprop, and turbojet aircraft models. He and his wife, Ryleigh, live in Little Rock, Arkansas.

For more information about Premier Aircraft or the Premier Advantage Flight School Leasing Program, visit: premieraircraft.com

FL Technics Wheels and Brakes Appoints New CEO

FL Technics Wheels and Brakes, the independent wheels and brakes MRO provider, has appointed Vytautas Jankauskas as its new CEO.

Vytautas brings leadership experience to the role, having most recently served as CEO of BAA Training Vietnam, where he led organizational growth and operational improvements. His appointment reinforces FL Technics Wheels and Brakes’ commitment to operational excellence and long-term expansion across Europe.

“Joining FL Technics Wheels and Brakes is a tremendous opportunity,” said Jankauskas. “I look forward to contributing to the company’s growth, strengthening its European MRO footprint, and supporting our teams in delivering high-quality, reliable maintenance solutions to our clients.”

FL Technics Wheels and Brakes operates a workshop network across Europe, providing comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul services for aircraft wheels and brakes. The company continues to support airlines as they increasingly outsource maintenance, aiming to build Europe’s largest wheels and brakes MRO network.

With this leadership appointment, FL Technics Wheels and Brakes says it is “strengthening its management team to meet the growing demand and maintain its position as a trusted partner in aviation maintenance.”

Elliott Aviation Promotes Michael Parrish to Expanded Role as President and CEO

Elliott Aviation announced that Michael Parrish has been promoted to an expanded role as president and chief executive officer. Parrish was promoted to president of Elliott Aviation in January of 2025, and this promotion reflects his increased responsibility for delivering exceptional service to the company’s customers as well as guiding the company’s vision, driving growth initiatives and ensuring alignment across all business units. With 34 years of aviation industry experience, Parrish began his career as an aviation mechanic and holds an FAA Airframe & Powerplant license. His background spans aircraft parts eevelopment, business development, customer service, engineering, sales, marketing, and corporate MRO services, including avionics, maintenance, paint and interior.

Elliott says Parrish is known for his customer-first mindset and commitment to cultivating a strong employee culture and has played a critical role in strengthening Elliott Aviation’s market position and driving consistent business growth.

“I am honored to step into the expanded role of president and CEO at such an important moment for Elliott Aviation,” said Parrish. “Our team’s passion, expertise and dedication continue to move this company forward. I look forward to building on our strong foundation and guiding Elliott Aviation into its next era of innovation, quality, and customer commitment.”

Elliott Aviation is one of the industry’s leading MRO providers for midsize jets and turboprops, offering a full suite of maintenance, paint and interior services. The company is also recognized worldwide for its avionics upgrade capabilities, including its Garmin retrofit and Starlink WiFi upgrade expertise. Elliott has completed more than 450 Garmin G1000 and G1000 NXi installations in King Air aircraft, along with nearly 100 Garmin G5000 installations in Citation 560XL and Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP airframes.

Bob Calton, managing partner of Summit Park, the private equity owner of Elliott Aviation, shared his support for Parrish’s promotion. “Michael Parrish’s leadership, industry knowledge, and ability to foster a culture of excellence make him the ideal choice to guide Elliott Aviation into the future,” said Calton. “His vision, dedication, and passion for the aviation industry align perfectly with our mission of delivering exceptional service and quality. We are confident that expanding Michael’s role of President to include CEO responsibilities will ensure Elliott Aviation continues to thrive and remain a leader in the markets we serve.”

Summit Park acquired a majority interest in Elliott Aviation in 2020.

CIRCOR Names Saif Siddiqui CEO and Appoints Tony Najjar as Vice Chairman of the Board

CIRCOR International, Inc., manufacturer of flow control products for industrial, naval and aerospace markets, announced that Saif Siddiqui joined the company as chief executive officer, succeeding Tony Najjar, who has transitioned to the role of vice chairman of CIRCOR’s board of directors. Both appointments are effective January 26, 2026.

This transition reflects the Board’s continued focus on long-term value creation while positioning CIRCOR for the next phase of the Company’s growth. CIRCOR’s strategy remains unchanged.
“We want to thank Tony for his leadership as CEO and the progress CIRCOR has made under his direction, and we’re pleased to have him continue supporting the company as Vice Chairman,” said Dan Daniel, executive advisor for KKR Americas Private Equity and chair of the CIRCOR board of directors. “We are excited to have Saif join CIRCOR as CEO, and we are confident in the strong leadership and depth of experience he brings to build on our momentum, executing our strategy with discipline and creating long-term value.”

“Serving as CEO of CIRCOR over the past four years has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Tony Najjar. “I’m especially proud of making all 3,500 of our employees owners in CIRCOR’s success, and I am thrilled with what they have been able to accomplish as a result: stepping up, accelerating our success, and delivering for our customers every day. Our company is well positioned for continued growth, and I am confident that under Saif’s leadership and our strong team across the globe, CIRCOR will continue to reach new heights. I look forward to continuing to support Saif and our leadership team from my new role as vice chairman of the Board.”

“I’m honored to be joining CIRCOR at this historic time and am grateful to the Board for their confidence,” said Saif Siddiqui. “CIRCOR’s many unique strengths across teams, markets, and customer relationships position us well for the future. I’m appreciative of Tony’s leadership and value having the continued benefit of his experience. Working together in service of our customers, investors, and colleagues, I look forward to further accelerating growth, enabled by a culture of ownership, performance, and operational excellence.”

“Saif is a tenured leader with deep operating expertise and a strong customer-centric mindset. We are looking forward to seeing Saif lead the Company in its next phase of growth,” commented Josh Weisenbeck, a partner at KKR. “We are grateful for Tony’s many contributions to the company and his continued support as he transitions into his new role as vice chairman.”

Saif Siddiqui is a seasoned leader with experience driving profitable growth, operational excellence and portfolio transformation across complex, multinational industrial businesses. Most recently, he served as the chief strategy officer for Carrier Global Corporation. Prior to that, Saif served as the oresident, Asia Pacific, HVAC for Carrier, leading a multi-billion-dollar business based in Tokyo and Singapore, and vice president, global commercial fire & controls for Carrier. He brings a strong track-record of building high-performing teams, advancing customer-led innovation across the lifecycle, and executing disciplined strategy with measurable results.

Earlier in his career, Saif held senior leadership roles spanning P&L/ general management, enterprise strategy, and portfolio transformation across global hi-tech building systems and industrial businesses. His experience includes leading business turnarounds, acquisitions and divestitures, and driving performance in both mature and high-growth markets. He began his career in India in commercial leadership roles.

Saif holds an MBA from Yale University and a Bachelor of Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (India).

Najjar served as CIRCOR’s president and chief executive officer from August 2022 through January 26, 2026, and has been with the company since 2015. He was appointed CEO after serving as chief operating officer and acting CEO earlier that year. Since joining CIRCOR, Najjar has held several senior leadership roles, including president of the aerospace and defense group and vice president positions spanning sales, marketing, and operations. Across each role, Najjar has led meaningful transformation by aligning teams around shared goals, improving performance, and advancing CIRCOR’s mission in critical flow control markets.

Prior to joining CIRCOR, he held leadership roles at Rockwell Collins, where he led business development, programs, and M&A, and at Kaiser Aerospace in engineering and general management. Tony holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Mente Group Appoints Steve Main as Chief Revenue Officer and Brent Hanson as Managing Director

Mente Group, an aviation advisory and brokerage firm, has promoted Brent Hanson to managing director and appointed Steve Main as chief revenue officer. These appointments are part of a strategic effort to enhance the firm’s sales and go-to-market strategy to drive continued business growth.

Steve Main rejoins Mente Group as chief revenue officer, where he will lead the firm’s sales organization and oversee the global go-to-market strategy. A seasoned aviation executive, Main brings decades of experience in sales leadership and revenue generation, having previously held senior positions across various aviation sectors in transactions and operations.

Prior to his promotion, Brent Hanson was business and development manager for Mente Group and prior to that worked as a sales executive for Gulfstream and Pentastar Aviation. His extensive sales background includes significant experience at OEM’s, MRO/FBOs, and the heavy equipment industry. This unique combination of OEM expertise and industrial asset management provides him with a deep understanding of complex aircraft transactions, high-capital transactions, and lifecycle costs.

“Mente Group is evolving our leadership structure to ensure we stay ahead of a rapidly changing market,” said Brian Proctor, president and CEO of Mente Group. “Elevating Brent Hanson to managing director and bringing Steve Main back on as CRO allows us to continue building upon a record year. Their combined expertise in private aviation is exactly what we need to keep growing the business and delivering an elite product to our clients.”

Brent Hanson will be based in Michigan, with sales territories across the country, while CRO Steve Main will be based in the Mente Group Frisco headquarters.

AAR Appoints Dylan Wolin as Chief Financial Officer

AAR CORP. announced that its board of directors has appointed Dylan Wolin as the company’s chief financial officer, effective February 23, 2026. Wolin’s responsibilities will include finance, accounting, tax, treasury, investor relations, and corporate development. 

Wolin will rejoin AAR from Federal Signal Corporation, where he served as president of Elgin, Trackless, and Vactor, the company’s primarily municipal-focused specialty vehicle businesses, from 2024 to 2026. 

From 2017 to 2024, Wolin led AAR’s strategic and corporate development, treasury and investor relations functions. He helped lead the company’s portfolio repositioning, capital markets activities, and strategic planning, including the acquisitions of Trax and Triumph Product Support. 

Before joining AAR and Federal Signal, Wolin was a director in Boeing’s corporate development group, where he was responsible for merger, acquisition, and joint venture transactions. Prior to Boeing, he served as a vice president in Deutsche Bank’s Global Industrials Group within its investment banking division. Earlier in his career, Wolin was an associate at McManus & Miles, a boutique investment bank specializing in financial advisory and private placements.

Wolin earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Tufts University and a Master of Business Administration in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

“I worked very closely with Dylan during his seven years at AAR. He was instrumental in developing the strategy we are executing today. I am thrilled he is rejoining our senior leadership team, bringing valuable additional operational and strategic experience,” said John M. Holmes, AAR’s chairman, president and CEO. “I would also like to thank Sarah Flanagan for her service as our Interim CFO. Sarah is a deeply valued member of our team, and I am looking forward to her continued leadership in our finance organization.”

“AAR’s strong team, unique customer value proposition, and exciting additional growth opportunities underscore the Company’s compelling future,” said Wolin. “I am eager to partner with John and the rest of the AAR team to drive continued execution of AAR’s growth strategy.”

Sarah Flanagan, the company’s interim chief financial officer, will return to her previous role as vice president, financial operations, effective February 23, 2026.   

EWI Announces New Chief Executive Officer

EWI, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, announced the appointment of Stephen “Steve” Kelly as its next president and chief executive officer, following a comprehensive national search led by the organization’s board of directors. Kelly is an innovative executive with decades of experience leading organizations in highly competitive and rapidly evolving markets. His background spans early-stage ventures, mid-scale growth organizations, and large, complex institutions.

“Steve emerged as a clear choice because of his ability to connect strategy, innovation, and execution in highly complex environments,” said Greg Moore, chair of EWI’s board of directors. “He understands how to help organizations deliver real-world impact, and he brings the federal and industrial experience, particularly within the defense industrial base and nuclear energy infrastructure, that will be critical as EWI continues to grow. The Board is confident he is the right leader for this moment.”

Most recently, Kelly served as CEO of the Indiana Innovation Institute, where he built a start-up applied research organization from the ground up. Under his leadership, the institute established strong partnerships across industry, academia, and government; secured programs with the DoD Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, DARPA, and the U.S. Navy; and grew revenue from zero to more than $20 million in three years. Through his consulting work, Kelly has supported early-stage defense and advanced technology ventures, commercial firms entering federal markets, and national laboratories and federally funded research and development centers on strategy and performance improvement.

“I’m excited to join EWI at a time when its mission is more important than ever,” said Steve Kelly, president and CEO of EWI. “EWI has a unique ability to translate advanced technology into practical solutions that strengthen U.S. industry and national competitiveness. I’m looking forward to working with the talented EWI team, our clients, partners, and the Board to build on that foundation and expand the organization’s impact.”

Longtime EWI President and CEO Henry Cialone announced his retirement in June 2025 and is staying at EWI until the end of February to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

FlightSafety International Appoints Eric Hinson as Chief Executive Officer

FlightSafety International announced the appointment of Eric Hinson as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Hinson will succeed former president Barbara Telek who recently announced her retirement.

Hinson’s appointment marks a return to FlightSafety. He served as an executive vice president from 2009 to 2012 before leaving to be the president and CEO of Simcom International, Inc.

Hinson started his aviation career as a naval aviator flying tactical aircraft in training, fleet, and operational test squadrons. Today, he is an active ATP-rated pilot with more than 5,000 total flight hours. He brings a unique operational perspective to the position—one that blends executive leadership with firsthand experience.

In addition to FlightSafety and Simcom, Hinson has served in a variety of senior leadership positions at leading aviation companies, including Honeywell, Gulfstream, and Piaggio Aerospace. He also served as a board member of the General Aviation Manufacturer Association (GAMA) from 2013 to 2024 and Chairman in 2023.

“I am thrilled to return to FlightSafety International at a transformative time for the business and the aviation industry,” said Hinson. “Together, we will continue driving innovation, enhancing operational excellence, and delivering world-class safety experiences for our customers.”

Hinson received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Anderson School at UCLA and a bachelor’s degree from Lewis and Clark College.

Former StandardAero Regional Sales Manager Steve Lunde Receives Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award

Steve Lunde, former regional sales manager for the Western U.S. on the business aviation team at StandardAero was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award earlier this year. The award was presented on June 17, 2025, during a ceremony held at StandardAero’s Van Nuys, California facility, surrounded by friends, family and colleagues from across the country.

The prestigious recognition commemorates Lunde’s remarkable achievement of maintaining an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License for more than 50 years — reflecting his lifelong passion, technical expertise and exceptional service within the aviation industry. After decades of meaningful contributions to StandardAero and the business aviation community, Lunde has since retired from his role but remains actively involved.

“I have now been an A&P Technician for over 50 years. What a great ride. I’ve worked on everything from a C-150 to a Boeing BBJ. I can’t tell you how rewarding it has been. What a great industry we work in,” Lunde said.

Lunde’s passion for aviation began at just four years old, inspired by childhood summer trips to Hawaii. This early fascination developed into a dynamic career after he earned his A&P License in 1975, working on 737s and C130s.

He later advanced to the role of director of sales at Gulfstream Aerospace, where he was directly involved in former Gulfstream owner Allen Paulson’s world record-setting G400 project. His career ultimately led him to Dallas Airmotive, which later became StandardAero, where he carved out a legacy as a trusted leader and friend. In his most recent role, Lunde served as regional sales manager within StandardAero’s Rolls-Royce Engine Program, embodying true dedication to both customer success and industry excellence, StandardAero said.

“It’s everything. It’s what my whole life has been,” he said when asked about the meaning of receiving the Charles Taylor Award.

Reflecting on Steve’s decades-long impact, Michael McCauley, senior director of the Rolls-Royce program at StandardAero, shared: “The Charles Taylor Award is a great example of Steve’s dedication to the industry… for over five decades. You don’t have the knowledge that Steve has and share the knowledge that Steve has without the character and respect of others to do so.”

“Congratulations once again to Steve on earning this esteemed recognition and for an incredible career in aviation—one that we are grateful to continue supporting through his new role as a customer,” the company said in a press release.