WICHITA, Kan. (May 12, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced the following changes to its Global Customer Support team to enhance its customer support network in the expanding global marketplace.
The following individuals will fulfill key roles in this effort:
• Brian Howell, vice president, Strategic Aftermarket Integration. Howell is responsible for promoting and enhancing all aspects of the company’s aftermarket business, including Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution and Hawker Beechcraft Services. He brings to HBC more than 10 years of aviation experience in various disciplines, including sales, marketing, customer support and strategic business management. Prior to HBC, Howell spent five years with Honeywell Aerospace, most recently as business manager for its aftermarket team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s in business administration, both from Wichita State University.
• Wes Norris, vice president, Global Authorized Service Center Networks. In this role, Norris will oversee Warranty Programs and the Global Authorized Service Center support network ensuring Hawker Beechcraft customers receive the best service experience in the industry. He has more than 30 years of experience in business aviation. Throughout his career at HBC, he has held a variety of increasing responsibilities, most recently as vice president of Hawker Customer Relations in Little Rock, Ark. Norris has a master’s in management from Friends University and is a private pilot.
• Roger Smeltzer Sr., vice president, Hawker Customer Relations. In this role, Smeltzer is responsible for global customer relations for all Hawker aircraft and is based at the Little Rock Delivery Center. Smeltzer, who has 40 years of experience in the industry, was previously with NetJets as the Hawker Program Manager. Prior to that, he held various management positions with Beckett Aviation, Gulfstream Aerospace, Dallas Airmotive and Raytheon Aircraft Company, where he worked on the Premier IA and Hawker 4000 programs. He received his bachelor’s in business administration from Youngstown State University.
Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support (GCS) is dedicated to improving the value of HBC aircraft by employing products and services to simplify aircraft ownership, reduce operating cost and increase re-sale value. GCS is comprised of four functional groups that include Support Plus (cost predictability/warranty programs), Hawker Beechcraft Parts & Distribution (genuine factory parts), Hawker Beechcraft Services (factory-owned service centers) and Technical Support (Field Support Representatives, Hot Line specialists and Technical Publications administration).
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
