People: Executives rise in air cargo

Big players in the air cargo industry have made several key appointments in the past month: Erkeskin selected to lead FIATA [caption id="attachment_57139060" align="alignright" width="259"] Turgut Erkeskin[/caption] The FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations last month selected Turgut Erkeskin to serve as the organization’s president. He replaces outgoing President Ivan Petrov , managing director of Sofia, Bulgaria-based freight forwarder Trans Express . Erkeskin is the president and chief executive of Istanbul-based freight forwarder Genel Transport and a past president of Turkey’s Association of International Forwarding and Logistics Service Providers (UTIKAD). “FIATA stands stronger than ever, driven by an unconditional commitment to values which define our purpose: excellence, collaboration, innovation, inclusion, responsibility,” Erkeskin said in a release from FIATA. Nash to head oil, gas at Chapman Freeborn [caption id="attachment_57139051" align="alignright" width="177"] Gavin Nash[/caption] Air charter service provider Chapman Freeborn , part of Avia Solutions Group , appointed Gavin Nash as global director of its oil and gas division in mid-October. Nash has more than a decade of experience delivering and managing supply chain operations in the oil and gas sector, according to a press release from Chapman Freeborn. He was most recently supervisor of logistics and trade at Houston-based offshore drilling contractor Valaris . “I’m delighted to join Chapman Freeborn and bring my knowledge of the energy industry to help develop a strategy that enhances our existing customer experience, but also attract new clients, whether this is oil and gas producers, service companies (upstream and downstream), or the logistics companies that partner with them,” Nash said in the release. GCL promotes Barlow, Brown, Berman [caption id="attachment_57139045" align="alignright" width="219"] Amanda Barlow[/caption] Logistics company Global Critical Logistics (GCL) made three executive-level staffing changes in October: Amanda Barlow became vice president of risk management and business affairs; Deron A. Brown became president of U.S. automotive; and Elizabeth Berman became chief people officer. Barlow, who previously was senior vice president of Roanoke Insurance Group , will help manage GCL’s insurance programs and develop its international ATA Carnet customs programs, according to a release from the company. Barlow is a member of the Airforwarders Association’s board of directors and sits on the U.S. Department of Commerce ’s District Export Council of Southern California. [caption id="attachment_57139049" align="alignright" width="161"] Deron A. Brown[/caption] “Amanda has her finger on the pulse of the industry and boasts an impressive portfolio of expertise in client experience and product development that we are keen to leverage,” GCL President and Chief Executive Daniel Rosenthal , said in the release. “She is also uniquely suited to lead our ATA Carnet program as she was directly involved in the development of the U.S.’ ATA Carnet program during her time with Roanoke, liaising with the U.S. Council for International Business .” Brown has more than 20 years of experience in the supply chain industry, including as regional senior vice president of sales for the central U.S. at NetJets and as a founding partner of air charter specialist Wheels Up , according to a release from the company. “I am excited to dive in and explore new opportunities for growth with high-net worth clients, corporate partners and automotive original equipment manufacturers to deliver measurable results for the organization,” Brown said in the release. [caption id="attachment_57139050" align="alignright" width="145"] Elizabeth Berman[/caption] Berman, who has previously worked at Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment , Nike , Estee Lauder and Vevo , will develop a more productive HR infrastructure for GCL. She “combines leadership and compassion with data-driven decision-making and strategic thinking,” Rosenthal said in a release. “By ensuring the right tools, resources and infrastructure are available and accessible to all, Elizabeth will help our people support our customers, thrive in their jobs and seize the many opportunities we have for career development.” Halter named president of Wiggins Airways [caption id="attachment_57139057" align="alignright" width="183"] Paul Halter[/caption] Cargo airline Ameriflight last month appointed Paul Halter the president of subsidiary Wiggins Airways , a freight carrier based in Manchester, N.H. He replaces Donna Nixon , who is retiring after 36 years with the company. Nixon will remain at Wiggins until the end of the year, working with Halter to ensure a smooth transition, according to a release from Ameriflight. Halter had been vice president of airline operations at Ameriflight and has nearly 30 years of experience in airline operations. “I have worked alongside our Wiggins colleagues for nearly a decade, and I am thrilled to now be at the helm of this long-standing company that has continuously and strategically evolved to maintain success over the years,” Halter said in the release. “I have inherited a great group of people with a familiar mission: delivering priority cargo quickly, safely, reliably and on time.” Nolen joins AAR board of directors [caption id="attachment_57139047" align="alignright" width="206"] Billy Nolen[/caption] Aviation services provider AAR welcomed Billy Nolen to its board of directors last month. Nolen served as acting FAA administrator from April 2022 to June 2023 and is chief safety officer at Archer Aviation , a company that develops electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, according to an Oct. 12 release from AAR. While at the FAA, “Nolen revamped certification requirements and airport-focused safety management systems,” according to the release, and had earlier served as the FAA’s associate administrator for aviation safety. A former pilot for the U.S. Army and American Airlines , Nolen has also worked for advocacy organization Airlines for America , Qantas Group and WestJet . “Nolen brings a unique combination of commercial, government and military expertise in aviation and a vision for the future of the industry,” AAR Chair, President and Chief Executive John M. Holmes said in the release. “He will add to the breadth of experience we have on our board and help guide the continued execution of our strategy.” Berger now leads at ATSG [caption id="attachment_57139056" align="alignright" width="209"] Mike Berger[/caption] Aircraft leasing and support services provider Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) named Mike Berger its president, effective Oct. 1. Berger, who was previously ATSG’s chief strategy officer, replaces Rich Corrado , who remains chief executive. Berger joined the company in 2018 as chief commercial officer and president of the company’s Airborne Global Solutions subsidiary, according to a release from ATSG. He was promoted to chief strategy officer in 2022. He previously held senior leadership positions at DHL , TNT and Dicom Transportation Group . “This is a key step in the expansion of Berger’s responsibilities, to assume responsibility for the operating companies, as well as the commercial business,” board Chair Joe Hete said in the release. “Corrado, as chief executive officer, will focus primarily on ATSG’s strategic planning and management team development for the future.” Editor's note: On Monday, after this item was published, ATSG announced that Corrado has departed and been replaced as CEO by Hete, a former CEO. Margesson steps up at CCAi [caption id="attachment_57139055" align="alignright" width="228"] Matthew Margesson[/caption] CAA International (CAAi), the technical cooperation, consulting and aviation training arm of the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority , appointed Matthew Margesson as managing director effective Oct. 16. With CAAi since 2009, Margesson has been head of international development and head of international operations, according to a release from CAAi. “This appointment comes at an exciting time in our sector’s evolution, characterized by new technologies, skillsets, global standards and a transforming aviation landscape that will soon become part of everyday life for all aviation stakeholders,” Margesson said in the release. “I look forward to steering CAAi forward and extending our support to entities worldwide on their journey towards better aviation.”

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