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Speaker Biographies
SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Richard Aboulafia, Vice President, Analysis • Teal Group
Mr. Aboulafia manages consulting projects in the commercial and military aircraft field and analyzes broader
defense and aerospace trends. He has advised numerous companies, including most prime and many second- and
third-tier contractors in the United States, Europe and Asia. He also writes and edits Teal Group’s World Military
and Civil Aircraft Briefing, a forecasting tool covering over 135 aircraft programs and markets. He is a prolific
contributor on aviation and defense topics to such publications as the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times,
Military Technology, Avmark Aviation Economist, and Jane’s Intelligence Review. He has a regular column in
AIAA’s Aerospace America. He presents a yearly lecture to the National Defense University/Industrial College of
the Armed Forces and has served as an expert witness in aerospace markets.
Before joining Teal Group in 1990, Mr. Aboulafia analyzed the jet engine market at Jane’s Information Group,
served as an aerospace industry consultant for an international trade advisory company and supported research
projects at the Brookings Institution. He has a master’s degree in War Studies from King’s College, University of
London and a Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.
Andrew J. Shankland, Vice President, Marketing • Airbus
Andrew Shankland was appointed Vice President Marketing for Airbus in September 2008, and is located at
the company headquarters in Toulouse, France. His responsibilities include managing the development and
implementation of all customer and product marketing activities, as well as related marketing support services,
for the complete range of Airbus commercial products.
From 2002 to 2008 he had a variety of management roles at the Airbus North America office in Virginia,
including Head of Sales and Marketing, Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Business Development.
Between 1994 and 2001, Mr. Shankland worked for Airbus North America in a number of marketing roles,
including Airline Marketing Manager and Head of Airline Marketing. From 1992 to 1994, he served as Senior
Airline Analyst in the Marketing Division for Airbus Industrie at their headquarters in Toulouse, France.
Prior to joining Airbus Industrie, he spent five years with British Aerospace (BAe) as Technical Sales Executive
in their Commercial Aircraft Division, in Hatfield, England.
Mr. Shankland graduated in 1983 with a BSc (Eng) in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College of Science
and Technology, in London, England.
James A. Haas, Director, 787 Product Marketing • Boeing
Mr. Haas demonstrates to airlines how the 787 Dreamliner satisfies customer needs in technical, operational
and economic areas. He leads efforts to bring airline customer input to the 787-design team. Earlier, Mr. Haas
supported sales campaigns of all Boeing models as Regional Director of Product Marketing, and he managed
airplane performance and sales in the Asia-Pacific region.
He joined Boeing in 1979 as a design engineer in 757 aerodynamics, and he worked on product development for
the 757 and 777 divisions.
Mr. Haas earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University.
Eric Bachelet, President and Chief Executive Officer • CFM International
As President and Chief Executive Officer of of CFM International, Eric Bachelet is responsible for the overall
results of the CFM56 engine programs, as well as the development of the worldwide market, negotiation of
sales, and customer satisfaction.
Mr. Bachelet joined Snecma in 1971 after graduation from L’Ecole des Mines de Paris. He also holds a
Master’s degree in Materials Science from Case Western Reserve University in the United States.
From 1974 to 1991, he worked as an engineer in the materials department of the engineering division of
Snecma. In 1991, he joined Snecma’s manufacturing division and held a number of assignments in France and
the United States. In 1996, he was promoted to general manager of FAMAT, another joint venture between GE
and Snecma.
In early 2001, Mr. Bachelet became the chief operating officer of Snecma Propulsion Solide, a subsidiary of
the SAFRAN Group. In September 2003, he became the chief operating officer of Aircelle, another subsidiary
of the SAFRAN Group, which specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of aircraft engine nacelles. He
assumed his current role on September 1, 2005.
March 9-11, 2009
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Speaker Biographies
SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Luiz Sergio Chiessi, VP, Market Intelligence - Airline Market • Embraer
Mr. Chiessi heads marketing, product and promotional strategies for the Embraer Commercial Aviation Aircraft
Division. He joined the company in 1999 as a sales engineering manager.
Prior to that, he spent 27 years with a major Brazilian airline, gaining extensive experience in a variety of areas,
including flight operations engineering, crew scheduling, fleet planning, aircraft rotation, tariffs and pricing,
sales channels development, code-sharing agreements, and commercial planning.
Mr. Chiessi holds an Aeronautical Engineering undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in Transportation
Sciences.
Gary Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft • Bombardier Aerospace
Gary R. Scott was appointed President of the newly integrated Bombardier Commercial Aircraft business unit on
April 18, 2008. This new unit merges two previously independent units: Bombardier Regional Aircraft and New
Commercial Aircraft Program. Mr. Scott first joined Bombardier on March 8, 2004 as President, New Commercial
Aircraft Program. In February of 2006, he was appointed President, Aircraft Services and New Commercial Aircraft
Program.
Prior to joining Bombardier Aerospace, Mr. Scott was Group President, Civil Simulation and Training, at CAE, Inc.
He began his career with The Boeing Company in 1973, where he held several senior executive positions including
President, FlightSafety Boeing Training International; VP Business Strategy and Finance, Commercial Aviation
Services; VP and Chief Operating Officer, Boeing Enterprises; and VP and General Manager for the 737/757
programs.
Mr. Scott earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Business Administration at the University of Washington, his Master’s
degree in Business Administration (MBA) at Seattle University, and he has completed the Executive Development
Program, University of Illinois, as well as the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
Kentaro Taki, President • Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America, Inc.
Kentaro Taki was appointed as the first President of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation America, Inc. (MJETA)
in October, 2008. MJETA was established by Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation as the locally incorporated solely
owned subsidiary that functions as its sales base for the Americas, which includes North America, Central
America and South America. The MJETA locates its headquarters in Addison, Texas.
Before taking the current position, Mr. Taki has long and overall experiences in both overseas sales and
overseas operation at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., leading Japanese manufacturer in various fields.
In 1975, he joined MHI after he had graduated from the University of Tokyo with Bachelor degree of
Economics.
Paul Finklestein, Director, Marketing • Pratt & Whitney
Paul Finklestein was appointed Director of Marketing for Pratt & Whitney’s Commercial Engines division in
2007. He has Marketing responsibility for all Pratt & Whitney products world wide.
Paul joined Pratt & Whitney in 1979 and has held numerous positions in engineering, program management
and customer service organizations. Prior to leading the marketing activity, Paul was the Program Manager
for the PW4000 engine family, and then most recently the Regional Director of Customer Service in the Asia
Pacific region.
Paul holds a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University, a masters degree in
Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master degree in Business Adminstration from the
University of Connecticut.
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SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Harry Seeger, Director, Key Account Lessors & Banks • Lufthansa Technik
Harry Seeger is Director Key Account Lessors & Banks with Lufthansa Technik since January 2008. From
2000-2007 he was Executive Director Sales & Supply with Ameco Beijing, a joint venture of Lufthansa
German Airlines and Air China. He joined Lufthansa in 1978. Since then he held various positions in Aircraft
Maintenance and Overhaul as well as Marketing & Sales.
Mr. Seeger served in the German Air Force before commencing his studies at the Technical University of
Darmstadt. There he acquired a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration.
Tony Charaf, President • Delta TechOps
Mr. Charaf is responsible for all maintenance, engineering, and the MRO business for Delta Air Lines
worldwide. He joined Delta in 1996 as Director of Engine Maintenance. He became Senior Vice President Delta Air Logistics in September 2000, returned to TechOps in August of 2004 as Senior Vice President and
was named President Delta TechOps in March of 2008. Since his return, he has successfully built the Delta
TechOps MRO business to over $500 mm annually.
Mr. Charaf began his aviation career in 1977 with Pacific Airmotive Corporation as a project engineer. In
1979, he joined Aviall in Dallas where he held several positions in engineering, production, operations and
marketing. In 1989, he was named Vice President - Operations for Ryder Airline Services/Aviall, and in 1993,
he joined UNC, Inc. as vice President and General Manager of Pacific Airmotive Corporation, later becoming
Vice President - International Marketing. Mr. Charaf earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and a
Master’s degree in Management from Northrop University.
Doug Jenkinson, Business Development Manager • Navhouse
Doug Jenkinson brings more than 30 years of avionics repair experience to his role as Business Development
Manager at Navhouse Corporation.
Prior to joining Navhouse in 2008, Mr. Jenkinson held successive program management and customer service
positions with a leading OEM where he received the Northrop Grumman Outstanding Business Achievement
Award for Exceptional Service and various other industry awards including the Outstanding Achievement Award
for exceptional Customer Support.
Mr. Jenkinson believes in giving back to the industry by serving as a volunteer with the Airline Carriers
Purchasers Conference and the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council where he has participated in setting
industry standards for avionics.
Edmund S. Greenslet, President • ESG Aviation Services
Mr. Greenslet founded ESG in 1988 after 23 years as a security analyst covering the airline and aerospace
industries for several New York brokerage firms.
ESG provides consulting services to airlines, manufacturers, leasing companies, and institutional investors.
The firm also publishes the Airline Monitor, providing statistics on airline fleet trends, developments and
operations. In 1989, he founded Airline Capital Associates with Donald Schenk.
Mr. Greenslet graduated from Denver University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business, and he studied
Economics at Stanford University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the Airline Analysts
Society, and the Society of Aerospace Analysts.
March 9-11, 2009
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SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Raymond Neidl, Sr. Airline & Transportation Analyst • Calyon Securities (USA)
Mr. Neidl covers the airline and aerospace industries for Calyon Securities, a division of Credit Agricole S.A.
Previously, he was an analyst with Blaylock & Partners, where he concentrated on airline/leisure companies and
casinos. He was also a Managing Director and an equity research analyst for airline and airfreight industries at
ABN-AMRO Securities, now part of ING Barings. He was involved with efforts in structured aircraft financing
with the firm’s aviation and structured leasing groups.
He has frequently been named by the Wall Street Journal and Forbes Magazine as “Best of the Best Analysts.”
He is a member of the New York Society of Securities Analysts Airline Splinter Group. He also worked at American Airlines in various financial and planning positions.
Mr. Neidl earned his Bachelor’s degree from Albany State University, New York and holds an MBA from Pace
University.
Dr. Adam M. Pilarski, Senior Vice President • AVITAS
Dr. Pilarski oversees valuation and consulting services at AVITAS and is responsible for producing traffic forecasts, economic forecasts, statistical analyses, strategic planning, and airline industry issues.
He joined the firm in 1997 after 17 years at Douglas Aircraft Company, where he was Chief Economist and
Director of Strategic Planning. He was also editor and publisher of the annual Outlook publications. Dr. Pilarski
has published more than 90 articles in professional and academic publications. His newest book, published in
2007 by Ashgate Publishing, is “Why Can’t We Make Money in Aviation?” Dr. Pilarski serves on Sage Electronics & Technology board of directors.
He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois.
William Carpenter, Executive Vice President • GECAS
William “Bill” Carpenter heads GECAS’ Product Evaluation and Strategy Group where he identifies industry
trends and provides guidance on investments and investment strategies in the context of these trends. His GE
career began in the GECAS Restructuring Group. Bill transitioned to Structured Finance where he supported
cross-border transactions primarily in Europe. He became GECAS’ Chief Risk Manager shortly after the 9/11
attacks and was instrumental in helping GECAS and its customers navigate the tough times that followed.
Prior to GE, Bill worked as an Aerospace Engineer at the NASA Ames research facility in Sunnyvale, California.
Prior to his engineering work, he was a Captain in the US Army serving as an attack helicopter pilot and unit
leader.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University and a Master of Business
Administration from The Anderson School at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Andrew Magill, Director, Marketing • Boeing
Mr. Magill directs marketing for Boeing commercial aircraft products and services, concentrating on market
dynamics that drive airline industry evolution and requirements for aircrafts and services. He provides guidance
to internal planning and product development, and supports market positioning and sales activities.
Previously, he led the development team for the company’s long-term market outlook and customer requirements for commercial aircraft and airplane services. He also led the aircraft marketing team for the Americas
region following post-September 11, 2001 industry changes. Mr. Magill joined Boeing in 1988 as an engineer
for the 737 programs and later joined the 777-development team. He subsequently moved into roles working
directly with airlines in configuring aircraft and defining future feature requirements. He joined the marketing
organization in 1995.
Mr. Magill holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Washington and an
MBA from Seattle University.
March 9-11, 2009
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SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Matt Leisring, General Manager, Marketing • CFM International
Matt Leisring is General Manager of Marketing for CFM International, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mr. Leisring joined GE Aviation in 1982 as part of GE’s Financial Management Program, during which he
focused on the CFM56-3 development team. Subsequent assignments included finance, Six Sigma Black Belt,
and commercial and product support. Prior to being promoted to his current position, Mr. Leisring held sales
assignments in the US and the United Kingdom.
He became the marketing general manager in July 2006. In this position, he leads the team responsible for
marketing activity on both current CFM products, as well as future engine programs, such as LEAP-X.
Mr. Leisring earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from the University of Cincinnati.
Andrew Gordon, Director, Market Analysis • Airbus
Andrew Gordon is responsible for facilitating the production of the Airbus Global Market Forecast, which details
future demand for all civil aircraft of 50 seats or more. Mr. Gordon is also accountable for analysis and forecasting
of products as diverse as business jets, regional aircraft and military derivatives.
Prior to this appointment he worked for a ten-year period for British Aerospace Airbus as part of the Forecasting &
Market Evaluation Team, where he was involved in providing analysis for many of the market and product related
decisions including the A380 project.
In 2001, at the creation of Airbus as a single entity, he moved to Toulouse, to work directly for Airbus in the Market
Forecasting & Research Group, now part of the Strategy and Co-operation team.
Mr. Gordon began his career with BAE/Airbus in 1991 and prior to this he worked for one of the UK’s largest
banks.
Andrew has a Masters Degree in Marketing from the University of the West England.
John F. Walsh, President • Walsh Aviation
Mr. Walsh founded Walsh Aviation in 1993 as a consulting service that specializes in forecasting the commercial
and military aviation markets and identifying new business opportunities in the aerospace industry. He maintains
a focus on the cyclical nature of the industry to provide his clients with an “early warning” or “wake-up call” by
identifying major turning points in the marketplace.
In his 30-year career, he was formerly Director of Market Research for UNC, Inc., and Director of Market
Planning and Corporate Relations for Rohr Corp. Mr. Walsh is frequently quoted in such media outlets as the
Wall Street Journal, Nightly Business Report, USA Today, World Airline News, and BBC Worldwide News
Hour. He is a member of the Executive Council for Air Transportation Research International Forum (ATRIF)
and a past president. He is also a member of the Committee on Aviation Economics and Forecasting for the
Transportation Research Board and the aerospace member for the Conference of Business Economists.
A graduate of Manhattan College, Columbia University, and UCLA, he holds Master’s degrees in Civil
Engineering and Business Administration.
Richard Evans, Market Forecasting Manager • Rolls-Royce
Mr. Evans is responsible for the Rolls-Royce Market Outlook and is an active participant in various
forecasting forums.
He began his career at Rolls-Royce in 1987, following graduation from Nottingham University with a
degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was part of the inventory management group, specializing in spare
part forecasts and inventory control.
In 1994, he joined the Marketing Department of Rolls-Royce Commercial Engine Division as a Market
Analyst.
March 9-11, 2009
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SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Al Wang, Sr. Manager, Forecasting & Market Planning • Pratt & Whitney
Al Wang currently serves as the head of forecasting and market planning for Pratt & Whitney and International
Aero Engines. He previously served in strategic planning before heading to marketing as an airline analyst.
Prior to joining Pratt & Whitney in 1993, he served as Program Acquisition Manager for the Naval Air Systems
Command.
Mr. Wang has an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering and an MBA, both from the University of
Virginia in Charlottesville.
Dr. Kevin Michaels, Partner • AeroStrategy
Kevin Michaels, AeroStrategy LLC partner and co-founder, has 23 years of industry experience and has conducted consulting engagements for leading aviation and aerospace companies across the globe. He has expertise in
the aerospace original equipment manufacturer and maintenance, repair and overhaul sectors, strategic planning
and industrial marketing. Previously a principal with The Canaan Group and director of strategic development
with Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Michaels began his career as a project engineer with Williams
International.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Business Administration
degree from the University of Michigan, as well as Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in
International Relations from the London School of Economics. He manages the AeroStrategy North American
office in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Dr. Marci Johnson, Exec. Director, Sales & Marketing • Spirit AeroSystems
Marci Johnson is the Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, a position she assumed in September 2005. She
previously had served as Director of Business Operations and Program Management.
Ms. Johnson started in the aerospace industry in 1983, holding positions in Finance. She joined the Operations
organization in 1995 as the Sheet Metal Manufacturing Business Unit (MBU) business executive. She later held
the position of senior operations executive in the Sheet Metal MBU, the Structural Bond MBU and the 737 Strut
Responsibility Center. She also served as the business management executive for the 747/767/777 Value Chain.
Ms. Johnson graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in
1982, and received an MBA in 1991. She completed her Ph.D. at Capella University in 2006. She has also
completed the Boeing Senior Management Seminar, Boeing Executive Program and the University Executive
Program at the University of Southern California-Berkeley.
Martin Bleasdale, Director Business Dev. & Intl. Sales • PFW Aerospace
Martin Bleasdale joined PFW Aerospace AG, Speyer, Germany a year ago as Director Business Development
and International Sales, responsible for promoting PFW’s on-board cargo loading systems, and aerostructures
products throughout the world. He has been closely involved with the air cargo handling equipment business
for 42 years, during which period he has acquired an extensive knowledge of the freighters and conversions
business.
Before joining PFW, he had been with Ancra International since 1987 in various CLS sales & marketing roles.
Prior to that he was active in the aircraft cargo container industry, commencing with Brownline Ltd, London
and Frankfurt, then was General Manager of Transequip London. In 1981 he moved to New Jersey to establish
Alusingen aircraft containers in the Americas. Subsequently he was VP Technical Services at Envirotainer, Los
Angeles.
Mr. Bleasdale studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Bristol, UK and later obtained an honors
degree in manufacturing engineering from the University of Nottingham.
March 9-11, 2009
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SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Luc Beaudoin, Vice President, Aerospace • The Everest Group
Mr. Beaudoin provides high level counseling to board members and senior executives of companies desiring
to offshore operations in Mexico. He is also an aerospace engineer with a 23-year career at Bombardier
Aerospace. During those years, Luc held a wide array of positions in Engineering, Manufacturing, Logistics,
Program Management, Strategy and Business Development. This allowed him to gain significant expertise in
manufacturing activities and support of aerospace products.
Anita M. Antenucci, Managing Director • Houlihan Lokey
Ms. Antenucci is a Managing Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Washington, D.C., office and leads the
Aerospace•Defense•Government (ADG) and Transportation & Logistics groups.
Ms. Antenucci has 15 years of investment banking experience including mergers, acquisitions, financing and
valuation. She has worked on the buyside and the sellside for a wide array of Fortune 500 firms, small-caps,
entrepreneurs and private equity owners.
In addition to her transactional expertise, Ms. Antenucci has advised companies, investor groups and
government entities on the impact of industry restructuring and procurement reform. In 2008, she was named
one of the Top 40 under 40 Investment Bankers by Investment Dealers’ Digest.
Before joining Houlihan Lokey, Ms. Antenucci served as the Co-President and Managing Director of
Quarterdeck Investment Partners.
She holds degrees from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of the Johns Hopkins University
and Northwestern University, and has also studied at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques.
George Odden, Director • Houlihan Lokey
Mr. Odden is a Director in Houlihan Lokey’s Los Angeles office, where he is a member of the
Aerospace•Defense•Government Group. His responsibilities include managing sellside and buyside M&A
advisory engagements, sourcing growth capital, and conducting strategic alternatives assessments.
Before joining Houlihan Lokey, Mr. Odden held positions at Honeywell, Rockwell International, UBS, and
Dillon Read. With each organization, his primary role was the sourcing and execution of M&A assignments
which included Honeywell’s acquisition of Dimensions International, the acquisition by Rockwell Collins of
Airshow and Kaiser Electronics, the acquisition of BetzDearborn by Hercules and the sale of Loctite
Corporation to Henkel. He has worked with companies throughout the world ranging in size from Fortune 50 to
start-ups.
Mr. Odden earned a B.A. in economics from Cornell University and an MBA from the Columbia Business
School.
Richard Phillips, Managing Director • CIT
Mr. Phillips is a Managing Director at CIT and co-heads the aerospace & defense industry group’s mergers
& acquisitions advisory practice for CIT Edgeview Partners. He specializes in providing strategic advice to
aerospace & defense manufacturers, suppliers and service providers regarding growth through acquisitions,
financing and liquidity alternatives. Mr. Phillips also advises companies regarding recapitalizations, restructurings
and valuation.
Prior to joining CIT, Mr. Phillips was a Director at Houlihan Lokey’s Los Angeles office where he co-founded
the Aerospace•Defense•Government industry group and led the West Coast team. His practice there focused on
mergers & acquisitions for middle market aerospace & defense companies.
Before becoming an investment banker, Mr. Phillips worked for over 15 years in the aerospace & defense
industry with Hughes Electronics and TRW, where he held various engineering, project management, technology
management and new business development positions.
Mr. Phillips received a BS in Applied Physics from Caltech, conducted graduate studies in solid state electronics
at USC and holds an MBA with honors in Finance from UCLA’s Anderson School.
March 9-11, 2009
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SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
Bardia Mesbah, Principal • Brookstone Partners
Bardia Mesbah is a Principal at Brookstone Partners, a private equity fund that acquires businesses with
revenues ranging from $10 to $150 million. The group has made investments in manufacturing, packaging and
consumer products.
Prior to joining Brookstone Partners, Mr. Mesbah was a Vice President at Emigrant Capital, a private investment fund offering private equity, late stage venture capital financing, and subordinated debt to businesses with
revenues between $5 and $300 million.
Mr. Mesbah has been a speaker at numerous conferences and has been frequently quoted in such publications as
the New York Times, Washington Times, Chemical Week, and Chemical Marketing Reporter, among others.
Stephen A. Costley, Product Director • SpeedNews
Steve Costley is responsible for the overall production of all of the SpeedNews products, including
SPEEDNEWS, AIRCRAFT INSIDER, SPEEDNEWS DEFENSE BIWEEKLY, SPEEDNEWS TODAY and
STW, plus the marketing and sales of all advertising.
Steve is nearing his 20th anniversary at SpeedNews. He joined the company in August 1989. He was named
Managing Editor in 1994, and was also named Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of SpeedNews, Inc.,
in the late 1990s, and held those titles until Prism Business Media (now Penton Media) acquired the company
from Gil Speed in 2006.
He also worked two years in Houston, TX as Director of Purchasing and Customer Service for Aerospace
Interiors, an aircraft interior refurbishment shop that was later acquired by B/E Aerospace.
He has appeared on CNBC as an aviation analyst, and has been quoted in various newspapers, including the
Los Angeles Times.
Steve holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Journalism from California State University at Northridge.
Joanna Speed, Director, Conferences • SpeedNews
When Gil and Ann Speed launched the aviation industry’s most innovative newsletter in 1979, they recruited
their two young daughters for the production staff. Like many children of company founders, Ms. Speed
put off joining the family business. But a few years after college, in 1993, she acquiesced, putting to use her
degree from Cal Poly State University and her focus on business and marketing.
As SpeedNews Business Manager, Ms. Speed contributed her organizational abilities. While beginning her
informal education in commercial aviation with Publisher Gil Speed, she took graduate business courses at
Pepperdine University. Over the years, Ms. Speed streamlined the company to increase revenue and reduce
costs, led the effort toward online distribution and created new marketing programs for large corporate
subscribers. When SpeedNews Conferences emerged as influential forecasting and intelligence forums, Ms.
Speed refined and expanded marketing strategies for the Commercial Aviation Suppliers Conferences and
was instrumental in launching the Regional and Business Aviation, European Aviation and Defense Aerospace Conferences. SpeedNews was purchased in 2006 by Prism Media, now formally known as Penton
Media, and is part of Penton’s Aviation Media Group.
March 9-11, 2009
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SpeedNews 23rd Annual Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference
ADDENDUM
Byron Bohlman, Head of Market Analysis, North America • Embraer
Byron Bohlman began his 29-year career in aviation with Air Canada, joining the company at the start of airline
deregulation. At the airline’s headquarters in Montréal, he worked for fifteen years in the marketing division
and was responsible for North America pricing, yield management, airfare systems development, and domestic
network route planning & scheduling. In his later role as Commercial Strategy Manager, Byron also developed
the company’s early marketing efforts in Japan prior to the airline’s first route authority to Asia.
He moved to Toronto in 1994 to join Bombardier Aerospace as Director of Airline Analysis for Europe, the
Middle East and Africa in the Regional Aircraft division. For five years, Byron prepared aircraft performance
analysis and commercial business plans for airlines seeking to expand their turboprop & RJ fleets.
In 1999 he relocated to Ft Lauderdale to lead Embraer’s marketing efforts in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the
Caribbean. In 2001, he assumed his current position directing Embraer’s worldwide promotion strategy for the
Commercial Jets product line, including the launch of the company’s 70 to 110-seat airliners.
March 9-11, 2009
EXPERT INSIGHTS AND RELIABLE INFORMATION FOR THE AVIATION INDUSTRY