WHIPPANY, N.J. February 19, 2013 – Brad Pedersen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Breeze-Eastern Corporation (AMEX: BZC), the aerospace industry’s only dedicated hoist and winch specialist, today announced a series of changes designed to strengthen key areas of the organization.
Steve Chisarik has joined the company as Vice President of Development Programs; Rodger Hahneman has been promoted to General Manager of Production Operations and Customer Support; and Benjamin (Ben) Weiser is the company’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Pedersen, who was named President and CEO May 2012, said that listening to customers helped shape his vision for the new organization and a revitalized Breeze-Eastern. “We have a bold and aggressive vision for a more agile, customer-centric organization,” Pedersen said. “Steve, Rodger and Ben have the skills and experience to deliver the change and growth we seek.”
As Vice President of Development Programs, Chisarik is responsible for completing all programs on time and within budget while meeting or exceeding technical and quality requirements. He previously served in a series of program management and engineering leadership positions at Sikorsky Aircraft.
Hahneman previously served as Senior Vice President of Operations at Breeze-Eastern. In his expanded role, he will also “have full responsibility and accountability for developing a world-class customer support organization,” Pedersen said, adding that customer support expectations include 24-hour turnaround time on critical spares and 30 days for common parts and components. Hahneman will be supported by Mike Koons, now the company’s single point of contact for immediate response to customer questions in his role as Vice President of Contracts and Customer Support.
Weiser, a seasoned business development and aerospace industry professional and experienced commercial and military aviator, is responsible for all aspects of Breeze-Eastern’s Sales and Marketing activities. He most recently served as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Commercial Sales at MD Helicopters Inc. He holds advanced degrees, including a master’s degree in business administration, and is chartered with helping Breeze-Eastern expand its reach and open new markets worldwide.
Pedersen, Weiser and other team members will be available to meet with customers and the news media in the Breeze-Eastern exhibit C4016 throughout Heli-Expo, March 5-7 in Las Vegas. The company will be featuring its exclusive Reactive Overload Clutch rescue hoist technology during the convention.
Breeze-Eastern Corporation is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance lifting and pulling devices for helicopters, military cargo aircraft, and other aerospace/defense platforms, including rescue hoists, winches and cargo hooks, and weapons-lifting systems.
