Alexandria, VA, July 8, 2014 — The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is pleased to announce the selection of David Hewitt, Executive Vice President, Safety of Wheels Up, as the new ACSF Chairman, and Greg Kinsella, President and CEO of Key Air, as the new ACSF Vice-Chairman, beginning July 1, 2014. Hewitt succeeds Jeff Baum, President and CEO of Wisconsin Aviation whose term expired June 30, 2014.
Mr. Hewitt is a founding member of the ACSF, and participated in the development of the ACSF Industry Audit Standard. He most recently served as the ACSF Vice-Chairman and Board of Governors since the foundation's inception.
Mr. Hewitt is the Executive Vice President, Safety of Wheels Up, the revolutionary membership-based private aviation company, launched in August 2013, that reduces the upfront investment needed to fly privately and provides its members the first total private aviation solution. Mr. Hewitt signed on with the Company in September bringing his more than 35 years of aviation experience, including 30 years’ involvement in on-demand charter in operational, technical, and executive positions.
Mr. Hewitt held various positions within NetJets spanning a 13-year career. He has also been a FAA Aviation Safety Inspector at the Cincinnati Flight Standards District Office and a chief pilot/check airman/instructor for an on-demand charter operator in the Midwest.
Hewitt is a graduate of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and has more than 7,200 total flying hours. He holds an airline transport pilot license with type-ratings in the Cessna Citation, Lear Jet, Douglas DC-3, and is also a certificated flight instructor in airplanes and gliders.
Mr. Kinsella joined Key Air, a national aircraft management and global charter service provider in January 2012. Prior to his appointment to President and CEO, he held the position of Vice President Business Development, where he was instrumental in the expansion of Key Air's managed aircraft fleet.
A 20-year industry veteran, Mr. Kinsella has held key positions at major airframe and engine manufacturers (including British Aerospace/BAe Systems, Saab Aircraft and Rolls-Royce), global financial institutions and esteemed business aviation operations.
Previous to joining Key Air, Mr. Kinsella held the position of Chief Operating Officer for a national aircraft management company, where he was successful in expanding the business.
"Both Dave and Greg have been invaluable members of the ACSF Executive Committee and Board of Governors," said ACSF President Bryan Burns. "With their knowledge and experience as leaders in the aviation industry, they will help support and sustain the foundation's ongoing and future activities. I’m looking forward to working with both of them.”
“The vision of the ACSF is to enable on-demand charter providers and fractional program managers to achieve the highest levels of safety in the aviation industry. This goal will be achieved through:
- Promotion of risk management programs,
- The adoption of one common industry audit standard,
- Dissemination of safety information and,
- Creation of additional programs that advance the goals of the foundation.”
