Hawker Beechcraft Announces New Appointments in Government Business Division

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced changes to its Government Business division to more effectively market its T-6 Texan II primary trainer, AT-6 Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) turboprop and various Special Mission aircraft.

“We are extremely pleased to have attracted this talented team of individuals to represent HBC’s Government Business team,” said Jim Maslowski, HBC president, U.S. and International Government Business. “They bring a broad range of experience to their roles and extensive knowledge of the unique mission requirements of our current and prospective military customers.”

John H. “Jay” Gibson II has joined the company as vice president, U.S. and International Government Business and HBC Administration. In this role, Gibson directs the Finance organization of the Government Business function and works as a member of the Business Development team. He joins HBC from the U.S. Air Force, where he was Assistant Secretary for Financial Management and Comptroller in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he was a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense. Gibson holds a master’s degree in business/finance from the University of Dallas and a bachelor’s in finance and economics from the University of Texas.

Russ Bartlett has been appointed director, U.S. and International Business Development. Bartlett will lead the Government Business domestic and international development teams. Previously, he was the Government Business Development Regional Executive for Europe and India. Bartlett graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and earned a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

In addition, the company has named four retired U.S. military officers to Business Development Regional Executive posts.

U.S. Air Force Col. (retired) Russell Smith has been tapped to lead HBC’s interaction with the U.S. Central Command. A former F-111 Aardvark and A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, he has extensive background in Close Air Support and Counter Insurgency Operations. Smith received a bachelor’s in marketing from Auburn University and an MBA in management from Golden Gate University.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. (retired) Marc Harrelson will guide the company’s relationship with the U.S. Pacific Command. Prior to joining HBC, he was with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Foreign Military Sales and Security Assistance organization. Harrelson flew Army helicopters and the C-12 turboprop during his time on active duty. He received a bachelor’s in criminal justice from San Jose State University and a master’s in Asian studies from the University of Hawaii.

U.S. Marine Corp Maj. Philip Murphy (retired) will act as HBC’s interface with the U.S. Africa Command. He was most recently assigned to the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii. During his tenure as a Naval Flight Officer, he flew the EA-6B Prowler as an Electronics Counter Measures Officer. Murphy graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s in political science and received his MBA and a master’s in supply chain management from Indiana University.

U.S. Naval Reserve Lt. Sara Taylor will be in charge of the company’s business activities involving the U.S. European Command. She joined HBC from Raytheon Missile Systems. In the active duty Navy, she served as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-14 Tomcat and a Weapons Systems Officer in the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Taylor has a bachelor’s from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the College of William and Mary.

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.