A lifelong aviation enthusiast who joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in 2007, Curt came to&nbsp;the publication&nbsp;from the broadcast industry where he was a national science and technology television reporter and producer. He writes on the FBO field, aviation finance, and sustainable aviation and occasionally contributes to&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;sister publication&nbsp;Business Jet Traveler. Curt was a member of the AINtv reporting staff that won the 2008 Aerospace Journalist of the Year award for Best Airshow Daily. That same year, he was a finalist for another AJOYA award. He earned an AJOYA for Best Business Aviation Submission in 2018 and was a finalist in that category in 2021. He received the National Air Transportation Association’s&nbsp; Aviation Journalist Award in 2012 and won a Pegasus Sapphire Business Aviation Award for outstanding journalism in 2021.
Before joining AIN, Curt worked with&nbsp;Consumer Reports’ television division, CRTV, and for several local television news staffs. An honors graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, he earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University in 1995. Curt lives in New York State with his wife and two young sons.

Senior Editor

Curt Epstein

Daher-Socata CEO Stéphane Mayer has added the title of president, replacing François Lépinoy, who will become president of the executive board for the Air Caraïbes Group.
Embraer announced several changes to its executive management team. Luís Carlos Affonso, formerly executive v-p of executive jets, was named executive v-p of new programs, while Ernest Edwards, previously v-p of sales and marketing in the executive jets division for the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, was promoted to president, Embraer Executive Jets. Mauro Kern is now the Brazilian airframer’s executive v-p for engineering and technology. Before this appointment he was executive v-p of new programs for the airline market. Emílio Matsuo, formerly executive v-p of engineering, moved to the recently created position of chief engineer, as Hélio Bambini, previously v-p of supply chain, was chosen to lead the manufacturer’s industrial operations as vice president.
After a four-year term as chairman of French conglomerate Safran’s executive board, Jean-Paul Herteman was appointed CEO and chairman of the company’s board of directors. 
San Francisco-based private aviation provider XOJet has named Stephen Lambright, previously v-p of marketing and customer services with wireless developer Apprion, as its new senior v-p of marketing and business development.
Brad Drew, most recently senior v-p of sales with Sentient Jet, has been named v-p of sales for Signature Flight Support’s global operations.
Piper Aircraft has named Dana Cox, formerly general manager of international sales and operations management at Itochu Aviation, as its director of sales for the Asia/Pacific region.
Kimberly Murdoch has been named v-p of operations at L-3 Communications and Thales subsidiary ACSS. Most recently, she was senior director for electrical global planning-integrated supply chain with Honeywell Aerospace.
Mike Turner, previously director of marketing and corporate communications for StandardAero’s international maintenance, repair and overhaul organization, has been named product marketing manager for global customer support at Hawker Beechcraft. Regional fractional ownership provider Executive AirShare has promoted Stacy Jackson from manager of contracts to director of contracts and risk management. The Kansas City, Mo.-based company also added Mark Wulber as director of training and FAA compliance. Previously he was manager of audit and flight safety programs at Executive AirShare. Mandy Morrison, most recently director of maintenance at L.J. Aviation, was named director of service and support at Cleveland-based MRO specialist Constant Aviation.
Montreal-based Innotech-Execaire Aviation Group has appointed Andrew Pearce, previously with Rizon Jet, regional director, aircraft sales for the UK, Europe and the Middle East. The aircraft sales and MRO provider also named Peter Rutherford regional manager of technical sales for Europe, CIS and Africa. Most recently he was aerospace manager of Bombardier’s international customer response team.
Paul Pitts, formerly Bell Helicopter’s director of sales for North America, has joined Premier Jet Aviation as director of helicopter sales.
Turbine engine specialist Chromalloy announced that Dennis Orzel, previously COO at PAS Technologies, has joined the company as v-p and general manager.&nbsp;
Amanda Joyner, most recently a senior congressional legislative assistant, has joined the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) as its new director of government affairs.&nbsp;
&nbsp;Mike Kahmann, previously v-p of transport finance at CIT, has been named managing director of CIT Aerospace Business Aircraft. The company also promoted John Morabito to senior v-p in its financial institutions group.
European business aviation advisor Swiss Aviation Consultants has promoted Clarissa Cunz from project manager to head of aircraft asset management.
Crane Aerospace &amp; Electronics, based in Lynnwood, Wash., has appointed Steve Reid senior director of its Elyria site operations. Previously he was business unit leader with Parker Hannifin.
Uvalde, Texas-based MRO provider Sierra Industries has promoted Jamie House from business manager to general manager. 
Aviation services provider TacAir has added Matt Davis, previously v-p of aviation marketing for Flightaware, as director of business development.
Christa Fornarotto,former deputy assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation, joined the FAA’s airports organization on April 25 as&nbsp;its new associate administrator.
Alenia North America has appointed Ronald Colunga as director of aftermarket and maintenance, repair and overhaul. Previously he served as v-p for maintenance repair and overhaul for M7 Aerospace.Helicopter completions and repair provider Metro Aviation has hired Richard Gross as assistant director of operations. Previously he was a senior director of sales for American Eurocopter.
Cabin outfitting specialist Gore Design Completions has promoted Jeff Potter from director of sales to director of business development.&nbsp;
Fort Lauderdale-based private aviation provider Presidential Aviation has promoted C. Z. Sean Anthony from director of maintenance to the newly created position of general manager.
Paragon Aviation Group has added Scott Jefvert, previously with Galvin Flying Services in Seattle, as director of sales.Air Methods has named Frank Graham asthe new director of commercial business development of its products division. Most recently he was COO of the air medical and aircraft seating business units with LifePort.
California-based business aviation services provider KaiserAir has appointed Otto Wright as manager of its Oakland FBO. Previously he was director of North America business development with Jetex Flight Support.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) elected to its board of directors Michael Scheeringa, president of Signature Flight Support; Marian Epps, CFO of Epps Aviation; and Ed Kilkeary, Sr., founder and CEO of L.J. Aviation.
Paul Jackson, most recently v-p of trading at Royal Aero Services, has been appointed chief trading officer at Aero Capital Solutions.
Texas-based aviation services provider TacAir has added Matt Davis, previously v-p of aviation marketing for Flightaware, as director of business development.
Dallas-based FBO Business Jet Center has appointed Jamie Rose as chief brand manager. Previously she was executive flight solutions manager for sister company Business Jet Access.Andrea Bahr, most recently with Orion Jet Center, has joined Fort Lauderdale-based FBO Banyan Air Service as customer support manager.
Matthew Wright, previously an FBO manager and regional manager of maintenance operations with Atlantic Aviation, was named by Landmark Aviation as general manager of the company’s Scottsdale, Ariz. location.
Greenwich AeroGroupnamed Mike Slattery to its interior product management team. He had been leading interiors and completion efforts at its Western Aircraft subsidiary.
West Star Aviation has appointed Kurt Sutterer, the recently retired president of Midcoast Aviation, to its board of directors. The MRO provider also appointed Dale Appleby technical sales manager.Private aviation provider National Jets announced that George Martinez will take over the company’s sales and marketing departments in addition to his role as director of flight programs. Flight coordinators Seth Thompson and Patrick Frawley have been promoted to manager of flight programs and manager of sales and marketing, respectively, for the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based company.Phillips 66 Aviation has promoted several team members. R.G. Still, former director of branded sales for general aviation, has been promoted to manager of wholesale sales mid-continent, global marketing for Conoco Phillips. He is replaced by Rick Duste, the company’s former director of programs development for general aviation. Rosemary Leone, previously business improver for general aviation, succeeds Duste.
The three founders of UK-based aviation consultancy Oriens Advisors have restructured their company with the following titles:&nbsp;Edwin Brenninkmeyer takes the role of CEO, while Michael Ricks was named COO. The position of chairman was filled by Archie Garden, who was recently appointed airport director at Cambridge Airport.
Wichita-based business and regional aircraft parts supplier GlobalParts.aero has named four new sales representatives. Chris Allison and Bryan Hickey, formerly with Avgroup, will serve the southeast U.S., while Teri Lang, most recently with Honeywell International, will cover the southwest. Don Demuth will handle the West Coast.NVG cockpit modifications specialist Aero Dynamix has named Tonka Hufford operations manager for project development. Most recently he was president of RSG Aviation. Thomas Kinton Jr., CEO and executive director of the Massachusetts Port Authority, announced his retirement.George Hunyadi, president of BankNote Aviation and a member of NBAA’s board of directors, announced his retirement. He was Rubbermaid’s chief pilot for 30 years. Awards &amp; Honors
Ronald Guerra, president of Oakland, Calif.-based KaiserAir, was presented with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for his aviation expertise and more than 60 years of safe pilot operations. With more than 25,000 hours of flight time during his career, Guerra has flown to six continents, including flights into China, Australia and Russia.
The National Air Transportation Association presented its annual industry excellence awards last month to individuals and organizations that have helped improve the general aviation community. Among this year’s recipients is Jeff Burger, editor of Aviation International News sister publication Business Jet Traveler, who received the <a href="http://www.nata.aero/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=2&amp;ID=768&amp;NL=20&amp;N=923&amp;SI=46382&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.nata.aero%2fAwards%2fAviation-Journalism.aspx">aviation journalism award</a>, which identifies a journalist, writer or publication excelling in consumer education or editorial support that is beneficial to the FBO/air charter industry. Under his leadership, BJT has received several awards on the national and regional level. Pat Epps, president of Epps Aviation, was presented with the <a href="http://www.nata.aero/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=2&amp;ID=768&amp;NL=20&amp;N=923&amp;SI=46382&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.nata.aero%2fAwards%2fOng-Memorial-Award.aspx">William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award</a>, named in honor of the association’s first president and given for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry. Over his career, Epps has logged more than 10,000 flying hours as a commercial pilot and earned type ratings in aircraft such as the North American B-25 Mitchell, Douglas DC-3, Learjet and Cessna Citations. Former NetJets president James Christiansen was given <a href="http://www.nata.aero/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=2&amp;ID=768&amp;NL=20&amp;N=923&amp;SI=46382&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.nata.aero%2fAwards%2fDistinguished-Service-Award.aspx">NATA’s Award for Distinguished Service</a>, presented to an individual or organization still active in general aviation and recognizing outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the industry. He was a founder of the company that eventually became CitationShares. A past chairman of NATA and the FAA’s Fractional Ownership Aviation Rulemaking Committee, Christiansen is currently chairman of the <a href="http://www.nata.aero/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=2&amp;ID=768&amp;NL=20&amp;N=923&amp;SI=46382&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.acsf.aero%2f">Air Charter Safety Foundation</a> as well as Hawker Beechcraft’s v-p of sales for the Central U.S. The <a href="http://www.nata.aero/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=2&amp;ID=768&amp;NL=20&amp;N=923&amp;SI=46382&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.nata.aero%2fAwards%2fGA-Service-Technician.aspx">ATP/NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award</a> denoting the exceptional performance of a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic or radio repairman who has served more than 20 years was presented to Steve Taylor, head of all maintenance services at Epps Aviation. He has been with the Atlanta company since he earned his airframe and powerplant certificate in 1973. John Bales, airport director of Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Missouri, is this year’s recipient of the NATA <a href="http://www.nata.aero/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=2&amp;ID=768&amp;NL=20&amp;N=923&amp;SI=46382&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.nata.aero%2fAwards%2fAirport-Executive-Partnership.aspx">Airport Executive Partnership Award</a>, while William Hays was presented with the <a href="http://www.nata.aero/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=2&amp;ID=768&amp;NL=20&amp;N=923&amp;SI=46382&amp;URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.nata.aero%2fAwards%2fExcellence-in-Pilot-Training.aspx">Excellence In Pilot Training Award</a> for his outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership and excellence in the field of pilot training.

People in Aviation: May 2011

Daher-Socata CEO Stéphane Mayer has added the title of president, replacing François Lépinoy, who will become president of the executi

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