Aerion has recruited the aerospace industry's most accomplished executives and engineers as the company prepares to bring its first supersonic aircraft to the market.

"We are absolutely dedicated to be a magnet for the world's greatest talent," said Aerion Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Tom Vice. "We're attracting amazing people to join our team - people passionate about working together to revolutionize the future of global mobility."

Cathy Rice Appointed Vice President, Business Management

Cathy Rice, Vice President, Business Management

Cathy has joined Aerion to lead contracts, pricing and cost schedule management, and to facilitate business and program management processes. She is the retired Vice President, Contract, Pricing, and Program Business Operations for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. In that role, she was responsible for contracts, pricing and estimating, cost and schedule management, ITAR/Export and risk management disciplines. She brings 35 years of management experience in these areas, working on major programs for the U.S. Navy, Army, and Air Force, including NATO international programs. She has a bachelor's degree in economics from Cortland State University, and graduate accreditations from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Scott Kalister Appointed Vice President, Worldwide Support & Logistics

Scott, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Customer Support and Services for Embraer Executive Jets, has joined Aerion to establish a global support network for the AS2, as well as policies and procedures for creating a new standard in business aviation support. Scott established the Embraer Executive Jets customer support organization in 2001 and led it to top-ranked status. Previously, he served 23 years with Raytheon Aircraft Company, including as Vice President of International Sales, Vice President of Marketing, and Vice President of Customer Support. He has a bachelor's degree in finance and economics, as well as an MBA from Oklahoma State University.

Gene Holloway Appointed Vice President of Boomless Cruise™ & Environmental Responsibility

Gene, who has led numerous advanced technology programs over a 40-year career, heads efforts to develop and certify the world's first Boomless Cruise TM system, which will allow the Aerion AS2 to cruise at speeds up to Mach 1.2 without a sonic boom reaching the ground. He also leads efforts to explore and incorporate into Aerion aircraft advanced technologies for greater fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Gene was a Program Manager/Project Lead at Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs (Skunk Works ® ), and an Engineering Specialist at Northrop Grumman Corporation. He has a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Auburn University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Andrew Hellen promoted to Vice President, Cockpit & Subsystems

Andrew Hellen, Vice President, Cockpit & Subsystems

Andrew, formerly Director of Cockpit and Subsystems, will be leading an expanded team. He has served as an electrical and avionics engineer on a number of prominent programs, including as Senior Engineer on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. At Gulfstream Aerospace, his responsibilities included design work on the G-650's fly-by-wire system. On the all-composite Learjet 85 program, he helped develop that aircraft's electrical wiring interconnect system and lightning strike protection system. The Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo includes a complex communication system entirely of Andrew's own design. He has authored more than a dozen white papers that have helped mature the Aerion AS2 design. Andrew has a bachelor's degree from University of Central Lancashire and is pursuing a master's degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.