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With a strong team of experienced and knowledgeable aerospace leaders, NWI Aerostructures is focused on meeting our commitments, clearly understanding what we promise, operating with conviction and making sure there is no gap between what we say and what we do. Our team is dedicated to continually finding ways to increase value, to do what we do more economically, with fewer hours than we do today, and at less cost by focusing on innovation as a catalyst for competitiveness. We are in the business of providing solutions and world class customer service.
Walt Sirmans is a seasoned professional with an extensive career spanning over 38 years in aerospace/defense and global manufacturing. In October 2023, Walt assumed the position of CEO at NWI Aerostructures, where he brings a wealth of experience and expertise.
Prior to his role at NWI Aerostructures, Walt worked for Aequs Pvt. Ltd., a privately held global manufacturing company. He joined Aequs in June 2011 as Senior VP, Global Aerospace Sales, where he was responsible for achieving a sustained >40% revenue Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). Walt held several key leadership positions during his 12-year tenure with Aequs, including President – Aerospace, Chief of Staff to the Chairman/CEO, President of Corporate Strategy & Ventures, and most recently President of Advanced Technology Products.
Before joining Aequs, Walt served as COO at Sabreliner Corp., Vice President of Aerostructures Programs at GKN Aerospace, and Director of Aircraft Sustainment Programs for Lockheed Martin. He began his career at RTX’s Pratt & Whitney unit as a mechanical design engineer and progressed through increasingly responsible roles serving most recently as Senior Program Manager for the F135 Propulsion System on the F-35. In 2001, Walt led Pratt & Whitney’s X-35 Integrated Propulsion Team in winning the prestigious NAA’s Robert J. Collier Trophy.
Walt is a graduate in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He attended the Executive Integral Leadership program at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business and the Emerging Leaders Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
Colin Strain has been Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NWI Aerostructures since 2019. Prior to NWI, Colin was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TECT Aerospace and at GKN Aerospace, Engine Products and at Teleflex Aerospace prior to the acquisition by GKN. Prior to GKN, Colin worked at ThyssenKrupp as the director of sales and marketing. In his various Sales and Marketing positions, Colin has an extensive background in international business spanning North America, Europe, the Far East and South America. Colin began his career at Caterpillar in Glasgow, Scotland before moving to Toronto with the company. He progressed to General Manager for Coltec Industries in Toronto before moving to Columbus, GA as Director of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development with Pratt and Whitney.
Colin is a native of Scotland having been educated there with a degree in Management Studies at Strathclyde University and a degree in Engineering from Glasgow, Scotland.
Kevin Larson was named Vice President of Finance at NWI Aerostructures in 2019. Prior to NWI, Kevin was Vice President of Finance at TECT Aerospace and before that served as the Financial Controller for GKN Aerospace where he managed all accounting, financial reporting and internal control for GKN’s site headquarters in St. Louis, MO. Previously, Kevin spent five years with Hawker Beechcraft where he directed commercial, government, and aftermarket businesses for large aircraft assemblies and production aircraft. He has also held roles of progressive responsibility in the finance organizations of Select Comfort Corporation, Pemstar, Inc., and Ford Motor Company. Of his 28 years of experience as a finance leader, 15 years were at the OEM level.
Kevin graduated from Wheaton College with a BA in Economics and Accounting and has an MBA from Minnesota University’s Carlson School of Management. He completed Advanced Management Training at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, selected by GKN for their Financial Leadership Program.
Andy Ford was named VP/GM of NWI Aerostructures Kansas operations in 2022. Previously, Andy had been the GM of NWI Wichita since October 2021 and was GM over TECT Aerospace in Park City for more than 10 years. Prior to TECT, Andy served 15 years at Cessna Aircraft Company including Value Stream Manager over the machining and precision assembly departments and Operations Program Manager over lean processes. Early in his career at Cessna, he held positions of increasing responsibility in Manufacturing Engineering for production and new model aircraft. Andy also worked eight years with Thayer Aerospace as Director of Engineering, Director of Business Operations, and General Manager of the NexTech St. Louis facility. He has also taught a manufacturing engineering course as an Adjunct Professor at Wichita State University.
Andy has a BS in Industrial Technology from Iowa State University, earned a mini-MBA from Wichita State University, and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
Keith Jennette was named VP/GM of NWI Nashville in April of 2021. Keith began his career in aerospace at the Nashville site in 1981, which at the time was called The Aerostructures Corporation. Since leaving Nashville in 2000, Keith has served as COO at Safran Seats as well as CIS, and served as Director of Commercial Programs at Bell Helicopter.
Keith is a certified Textron Six Sigma Black Belt. He earned a BA in Management from Trevecca University and has an Executive MBA from Texas Christian University.
Linda has over 25 years of human resources management experience, including prior positions with GE Aircraft Engines, Binney & Smith and TECT Aerospace. Linda has held roles of progressive responsibility within NWI Aerostuctures and TECT Aerospace including three years as Manager of the Program Management group. She has proven leadership experience in the development of staffing and training programs.
Linda graduated with a B.A. in Political Science summa cum laude from Southwestern College and is a member of the Society of Human Resource Professionals.
Emily has over 17 years of experience in the contracting field for the aviation industry. She has effectively performed on multiple US government, foreign government and commercial industry programs while working for TECT Aerospace, Spirit AeroSystems, Hawker Beechcraft, the US Department of Defense, National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University, and others.
Emily has a BS in Management from Salem-Teikyo University and she completed her MBA from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager.
Philip Allen has over 30 years of aviation experience working in commercial and business aviation markets in Europe, North America and Canada, spanning both the manufacturing and service/product support sectors. Prior to NWI, Philip was Director of Business Development at TECT Aerospace after a 10 year career with Bombardier Aerospasce and Lear Corporation as Program Manager of large scale projects such as CRJ-700 Fuselage and V2500 Nacelle program and as Director of Learjet Service Sales Group. Philip has an excellent track record of achieving results in key sales leadership positions in aerospace manufacturing, service and MRO market segments. He has over 10 years of operations management experience in supply chain management, production planning and control, manufacturing, and customer support.
Philip earmed a Master of Arts degree in International Marketing from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland.
Phil joined NWI in June 2023 and has extensive experience in the aerospace industry, including Europe, Canada, and the United States. He has worked over a period of many years in varied functions including business development, sales and marketing, procurement, quality, and engineering. Phil started his career with Westland Helicopters, where he held leadership roles in engineering, supplier quality, sales and marketing, and procurement. Following this assignment, he supported GKN as European Sales Manager with primary responsibility for Airbus in the UK and France. Phil also had sales and marketing responsibility for GKN’s account with Rolls Royce. He has previously served as Corporate Director – Europe, for Magellan Aerospace in the high speed machining of complex aluminum components.
Phil brings significant international business experience to NWI. He holds both a Degree in Engineering and a Masters Degree in Project Management.
Alisha Curry has over eight years experience in the aerospace manufacturing industry and serves as the Brand Strategy Manager for NWI Aerostructures supporting all sites with branding, advertising, event planning, and website and social media messaging to provide customer access to NWI’s technology, capability, products, and company performance. Additionally, she manages key relationships with select non-profit partners to increase community engagement and greater awareness of the NWI brand. Previously, Alisha served United Way of the Plains as Account Manager/Young Leaders Association Coordinator and was a teacher in the Wichita Public School system.
Alisha earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Wichita State University. She is a member of Junior League of Wichita, Young Professionals of Wichita, and United Way’s Young Leaders Association.
Michelle rejoins NWI after serving for three years as Senior Director, Supply Chain Management, for Airxcel, RV Products Division in Wichita. During her time with Airxcel, she successfully improved inventory turns, reduced raw material inventory by 40% and led process improvement projects across the organization.
Michelle previously held the senior supply chain leadership role with TECT Aerospace as Director, Supply Chain Management for five years before joining Airxcel.
During her thirty-year career in supply chain leadership, she has served in Director level roles for prominent aerospace manufacturers including Lee Aerospace, Beechcraft Corporation and
Cessna Aircraft Company.
Michelle obtained a B.A. in Business Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She also holds credentials as a Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) and
Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA).
Mark brings a wealth of operations leadership experience to his position with NWI Nashville, most recently as Sr. Manager (Electrical, Metallic, Fabrication & Tooling) for Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA where he served for seven years in positions of increasing responsibility. Mark achieved significant production improvements during his tenure with Lockheed including an enviable 100% on-time delivery in Lockheed’s Palmdale, CA facility, and reduction of past-due deliveries by 62% in one year in Marietta. He successfully used Kaizan techniques to achieve numerous cost savings and process improvements in Fabrication.
Earlier in his career, Mark served as Plant Manufacturing Manager for Maradyne Corporation and Small Aerospace Plant Manager for Alcoa, both in Cleveland, Ohio, and also spent four years as Assistant Area Manager for PCC Airfoils in Mentor, Ohio. He rose to a Supervisor position with WCI in Warren, Ohio after beginning his career as an hourly steelworker.
Mark recently retired from the U.S. Air force last serving as the Superintendent of Weapons and Tactics for the 146th Channel Islands California Air National Guard.
He holds a Master of Engineering – Operations Management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and an undergraduate degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University in Clinton, IA.
Ross Givens joined the Nashville team in April 2021 as Director of Supply Chain. Ross previously worked at Precision Castparts Corp (PCC) where he served nine years in global supply chain and materials management positions. Prior to his career at PCC, Ross was Director Materials Management at Heroux Devtek and held Business Process Engineer, Production Control Manager, and Director Materials Management positions at Bell Helicopter Textron. He started his aerospace career in Nashville with Textron Aerostructures and, for 16 years, served in positions of increasing responsibility in industrial engineering, planning and scheduling, and supply chain. Ross earned a B.S. in Manufacturing Technology from Middle Tennessee State University, a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, and an MBA from Texas Christian University.
John Wilcox brings a deep program management, engineering, and operations background to NWI Nashville. Formerly the Director, Program Management for Parker Aerospace, John provided program leadership for the team managing up to sixteen different customer portfolios, including Gulfstream, Textron, SAAB, and Sikorsky. He worked directly for Gulfstream Aerospace for a period of eleven years as Sr. Manager, Electro-Mechanical Systems Engineering, supporting programs such as the G650 and G550, in supplying flight controls, landing gears, and other products. John’s career spans a thirty-year period of progressively increasing responsibility across the aerospace industry in roles with Collins Aerospace, CDI Aerospace, American Airlines, and Bombardier Aerospace. During his time with Collins and CDI, he supported Airbus programs from both a program management and engineering management standpoint.
John holds an MBA in Engineering and Technology Management from the University of Dallas, Irving, TX and a Master of Engineering – Aerospace from Concordia University, in Montreal, QC, Canada. His undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering – Aerospace was also obtained from Concordia University. He also is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Tyler Belew was promoted to Director of Business Jet Programs at NWI Nashville in April of 2021. Tyler began his career in aerospace as a C-130 flight line mechanic for the Tennessee Air National Guard in 2005 before starting as a Manufacturing Engineer at Vought Aerostructures Nashville in 2007. Tyler’s roles at NWI Nashville include operations supervisor, G450 wing assembly manager, site supply chain manager and Gulfstream programs manager.
Tyler is a certified Vought Six Sigma Black Belt and has a BA in Aerospace Technology from Middle Tennessee State University.
Perry Boles was named controller of NWI Nashville in October of 2020. Perry joined the company in 2001. He has served as the Assistant Controller for the site for nine years, and prior to that assignment has served in roles of increasing responsibility with focus on material cost analysis and systems compliance and integration. Perry previously worked as a Systems Analyst for Black & Decker in Nashville.
Perry holds an MBA from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN and a BS in Business Management from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN.
Craig Working was named Interim Quality Manager of NWI Nashville in October of 2022. Craig began his aerospace career at the Nashville site in 1998. During his tenure, he has taken on assignments of increasing responsibility including Aircraft Assembly, Quality and Manufacturing Engineering, as well as Senior Management roles in Operational Excellence and Project, Safety, and Operations Management.
Craig earned a BS in Aerospace Technology from Middle Tennessee State University with a Minor in Mathematics. He is a former USNR flight crewman and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Jimmy Davis was named Sr. Manager of Facilities at NWI Nashville in January 2018. Jimmy began his career in aerospace at the Nashville site in August of 1985, which at the time was called Textron Aerostructures. He has served in multiple technical and managerial positions within the company including Tool Engineering, Engineering Design, R&D Engineering, Materials and Processing Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering.
Jimmy earned a BS in Aerospace from Middle Tennessee State University in 1985.
Bailey Diaz joined the Nashville Site in 2012 as Sr. Administrative Assistant. She came to work in the aerospace industry with a varied background in financial management, insurance, education, and customer service. Bailey earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Miami University, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Lipscomb University.
Stephanie joined NWI Wichita with eleven years of public accounting experience, most recently as Sr. Manager, Assurance Services with Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, LC. In this role, she led accounting teams through many and varied audit assignments and attained her certification as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Prior to working with Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, Stephanie was an elementary school teacher in the Wichita Public School system.
Stephanie holds a B.A, in Accounting, from Friends University in Wichita, as well as a B.S. in Education from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. She attained her credential as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2015.
Jennie Merriman-Havenar has over 17 years of experience in the aerospace manufacturing industry. Jennie has served as Production Control and Logistics Manager for NWI Aerostructures since 2019. Previously, she worked for Triumph Group as Project Manager of site transitions and special projects. Prior to Triumph,
Jennie worked 12 years at Atlas Aerospace (PMC) and had various positions in Program Management, Production Control Manager, and Manager of Programs as well as served as a core member of a MRP transition team.
Ely Randleas is the Manager of Program Management at NWI Aerostructures Kansas Operations. Previously, Ely had been Program Manager for TECT Aerospace since 2012. Prior to TECT, Ely had worked for over 14 years at OEMs in the areas of Aftermarket Support, Aircraft Economics, and Program Management roles.
Ely has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Wichita State University.
Christy Ballinger is the Supply Chain and Quality Manager at NWI Aerostructures Kansas operations. Previously, Christy had been the Supplier Quality Manager for TECT Aerospace since 2016. Prior to TECT, Christy served in Quality Management at Lee Aerospace and Ducommun Aerostructures. Earlier on, she had worked over 14 years at Cessna Aircraft Company in the areas of Quality Engineering and Quality Management.
Christy has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and is a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and AS9100 lead auditor.
Ron demonstrates 31 years of experience in the industrial maintenance field with various industries mentioning, Agricultural Implements, meat packing, plastic blow mold, and currently the aerospace industry, he has held several positions in the field from a mechanic, Technician, head electrician, Project Supervisor and Department Manager, Ron has worked the past 14 years for Triumph Structures Wichita beginning in 2008 and merging into NWI Aerostructures January of 2019. He has implemented a CMMS program to the company as well as recognition for Lean manufacturing and RCCA practices. Ron has completed the certificate program for Ammonia Refrigeration at GCCC. and attended WATC/WSU to attain an Associates in Operations Management and Supervision as well as certificate completion of Higher Management Development.
Kelly Cravens has over 19 years of experience in the
aerospace industry serving in different roles for TECT Aerospace, Central
Kansas Aerospace Manufacturing, and Air Capital Plating. The last 16
years she has spent in progressive roles with Human Resources supporting as
many as 500 employees over three different sites in Kansas. She has helped
establish day-to-day processes and protocols, been involved in developing in-house
training programs and partnerships at local community colleges as well as
trained incoming members of the HR department at other locations.
Kelly graduated magna cum laude from Wichita State
University with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She is a member of Beta
Sigma Phi International which is a non-academic organization that provides social,
educational, and cultural opportunities for women while also giving back to their
communities.
Bernie has significant experience in the planning and execution of financial transactions, the development and implementation of turnaround management plans and the management of financial, legal, and operational matters. Prior to Stony Point, Bernie worked in manufacturing firms holding senior management positions with responsibilities for both legal and financial matters. He has formerly practiced as both a CPA and transaction attorney. He holds a B.A. in accounting from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA and a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Rick Rosenjack is currently CEO and a Board Director of NWI Aerostructures with facilities in Nashville, TN and Wichita and Park City, KS. He also serves as Board Director, effective June 2023, of CPI Aerostructures, Inc. in Edgewood, NY.
Mr. Rosenjack, 64, has more than 38 years of aerospace experience and has twice led multi-site, international businesses with $1 billion in annual revenue. Prior to NWI, he held the role of President of TECT Aerospace and, prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of Triumph Group, Inc.’s Precision Components Division. Before Triumph, he was Chief Operating Officer for HM Dunn AeroSystems and Vice President/General Manager of the Aerostructures Division of Héroux-Devtek, Inc. until it was sold to Precision Castparts Corp in 2012. Mr. Rosenjack began his career at Textron, Inc. where he served for 20 years in leadership roles in operations, manufacturing engineering and program management at Textron Aerostructures, then as VP Supply Chain Management at Bell Helicopter before rising to Senior Vice President of Bell Helicopter’s Worldwide Commercial Helicopter Business in 2002. Of his 38 years in aerospace, 22 have been in P&L leadership roles.
Mr. Rosenjack earned a BS degree from Bethel University and an MBA degree from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. He completed Advanced Management Programs at Harvard University in 1995 and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2002.
Rick will retire from full time leadership at the end of 2023 and will continue creating value on the two Boards for which he serves today. He lives in Colleyville, TX near his two daughters, son-in-law, and two young grandsons.
William Hollis Coquillette (“Bill”) is currently engaged as senior advisor to a trust of a Cleveland family (the “’78 Trust”), and to Stony Point Group (“SPG”) the family office of a family in Asheville, North Carolina. His services to the ’78 Trust include serving as the chairman of the board of directors of Bettcher LLC, a metal stamping business headquartered in McAllen, Texas, in which the ’78 Trust holds the controlling interest. His services to SPG include serving on the boards of directors of NWI Aerostructures and NWI Precision Tube.
Prior to working as a senior advisor, Bill was an attorney practicing in the Cleveland office of Jones Day. He joined the Jones Day firm in 1976 and became a partner in 1984. He practiced in the area of mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance with most of his time devoted to complex business acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and other venture capital transactions. Prior to joining Jones Day, Bill served as law clerk for Justice Herbert Wilkins of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Bill graduated Summa Cum Laude with departmental honors from Yale College majoring in Political Science and Economics. At Yale, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and received the Cogswell Award and the White‐Curtis Special prize in history. He was awarded a Marshall Scholarship and received a Master of Arts degree in Jurisprudence form University College, Oxford, England. Bill received his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School.
Carey Bond is an accomplished United Technologies Corporation aerospace Executive with over 30 years of demonstrated expertise and performance in the aviation industry. After a highly successful 10 year career at Sikorsky Aircraft he has retired from the role of President Sikorsky Commercial System & Services which cap stoned a progressive and transformational period.
The last 10 years at Sikorsky have produced tremendous results, with the company more than doubling in size to $7B. This transformational period included realigning the supply chain, driving program execution, consolidating the manufacturing foot print and developing aggressive go to market strategies. Bond oversaw Sikorsky’s successful acquisition and integration of Keystone Helicopter in Pennsylvania and PZL in Poland. He also orchestrated Sikorsky’s increased participation in the Chinese aerospace market by establishing agreements with China’s AVIC II.
His responsibilities at Sikorsky have included Vice President Strategy to include M&A, Chief Marketing Officer which encompassed both Military and Commercial product lines and finally several years as President Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services.
Bond had a 17 year career at Bell Helicopter Textron which included multiple international assignments. He concluded his career at Bell Helicopter as Vice President, Worldwide Customer Support and Services before joining UTC.
During his 30+ year career in aviation, he has served on several international and domestic boards to include countries like China, Poland and the United States. Although retired, his plans include staying active in the industry. Carey currently serves on the Board of Directors for CPI Aerostructures “ticker CVU”, NWI Precision and NWI Aerostructures.
Bond has a master’s in business administration from Texas Christian University “TCU”.
Mr. Donnellan was the President of Glass & Associates and is recognized as one of the country’s leading crisis management professionals and an expert in turnarounds and workouts. His background includes marketing, operations, engineering, and finance with a proven track record of profitable management, plus extensive bankruptcy reorganization experience. He has extensive experience in the restructuring of troubled businesses as well as acquisitions and divestitures. Shaun received his BS degree from Natal University, South Africa, and his MA from Cambridge University, England. Shaun is a Certified Turnaround Professional and has completed the Advanced Management Program, Harvard Business School. Shaun has also served on the National Board of Directors of the Turnaround Management Association.
