BizAv Conferences BMC25

Noel Christen is a proven leader and accomplished executive with over three decades of experience in the aviation industry. As Vice President of Operations at Citadel Completions since November 2018, Noel has demonstrated exceptional skill in building high-performing teams, driving customer-focused strategies, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives through his Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

Before joining Citadel Completions, Noel had an impressive tenure at AAR from 2008 to 2018, where he held senior leadership roles such as Vice President of Technical Services & Development, Vice President & General Manager, and Vice President of Technical Operations.

Previously, Noel served at Bombardier Aerospace from 2005 to 2008 as an Accountable Manager.

Noel’s core strengths include expertise in Lean Process Implementation, budget development and management, quality and safety oversight, coaching and development, and performance management. His ability to lead organizations through complex challenges while fostering a collaborative culture has been a hallmark of his career.

Noel holds an MBA in Business Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Science from the same institution. He also completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School in 2007. Additionally, he is an FAA-certified Airframe and Powerplant License holder.

With a career defined by operational excellence, innovation, and commitment to service, Noel Christen continues to set the standard for leadership in the aviation industry.

Brian Allen is the President and Co-Founder of Aviation Maintenance Professionals (AmP), a Part 145 repair station headquartered in Texas. With over 25 years in business aviation, his background spans charter operations, maintenance, sales, and leadership—providing a comprehensive understanding of what truly keeps flight departments running.

Since founding AmP in 2008, Mr. Allen has led the company’s growth into a respected MRO serving clients across the United States and Mexico. He is known for his emphasis on quoting transparency, operational accountability, and a no-nonsense approach to customer service. Mr. Allen is recognized for his practical industry insight and commitment to driving measurable results in an often complex and fast-moving sector.

Richard Landsbury is the Sales Director at Veryon, bringing over 15 years of international experience in sales, business development, and project management across the aviation, aerospace, and automotive industries. With a strong engineering foundation and a degree in Aircraft Engineering from Kingston University, Richard combines technical expertise with strategic sales leadership to drive growth and long-term customer value.

Prior to joining Veryon, Richard led sales and pre-sales efforts at Rusada, a global aviation software provider serving airlines, MROs, OEMs, and CAMO organizations. His work focused on empowering aviation professionals with cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights.

Known for building strong client relationships, leading successful bid proposals, and delivering consistent market expansion, Richard is passionate about connecting customers with solutions that improve efficiency, compliance, and performance in complex aviation environments.

Growing up in Africa gave me the opportunity to fly a lot. Since I was nine, I dreamt of becoming a pilot.

I started flying at the age of 18 and got my full FAA ATPL ten years later.

It was easy to generate the experience being a bush pilot in East Africa and flying in war zones for UN and ICRC.

Later on, my interest shifted to aircraft accident investigations and after graduating from the Californian Safety Institute I investigated hundreds of accidents over 15 years. In parallel I ran my own AOC in Kenya and flew the G159 as a captain.

In the middle of the 2008 crisis, I returned to Europe to give aircraft and MRO sales a try.

I came to Switzerland in 2016 and started at AAL as a sales director. In 2018 I took over the company as the CEO. Last year, AAL bought a paint shop EPG at the same airport, and I became a “double” CEO.

I am married to a pilot and have one son who studies economy in St. Gallen.

Summer is a Market Research Analyst with Valour Consultancy. She has led Valour’s research covering the market for IFC in business aviation and will continue to delve into the market for advanced air mobility for the remainder of 2025. She also has experience in the commercial aviation sector, focussing on IFC, IFE and content licensing.

Christian Schusser is the CEO and founder of Q.C.M. design GmbH, an EASA-approved Part 21J Design Organisation (DOA). With over 25 years in the aviation industry, including roles as Quality Manager, Chief of Office Airworthiness, and CVE, Christian brings deep technical knowledge and leadership to every project.

Since founding QCM Design in 2013, he has fostered a culture of creativity and precision, where each project is met with tailored solutions that transform customers’ design ideas into certified reality.

Under his leadership, QCM Design has grown from a one-person operation to a dynamic team of 16, delivering over 1,000 successful projects and STCs. Christian’s strong industry network, deep technical expertise, and strategic mindset continue to drive the organization’s growth and its reputation for excellence.

Mickael Villermet graduated from engineering school back in 1999 and then worked in large VIP Part 145 MRO for 6 years in maintenance planning department (Dassault Falcon, Boeing and Airbus).

Founder in 2006 of EASA approved CAMO AMES specialized in large VIP airplanes (B737NG BBJs, B747-400, B747-8, B757, B767, B787) and bizjets (Gulfstream, Bombardier).

Acting as CEO of the company since then and developed the business to manage a fleet of over 30 airplanes.

Co-chairman with Boeing maintenance engineering of the B737NG and MAX BBJ maintenance advisory board with 25 years’ experience on the BBJ product family.

EASA Airworthiness Review Staff to perform ARC on various Boeing models.

Bob is a co-founder and Director at Baines Simmons Ltd, a global aviation safety consultancy firm that supports customers to improve safety performance and effectively implement both civil and defence regulatory requirements.

Bob leads a team of safety and regulatory specialists, supporting operators worldwide to achieve safety, operational and commercial benefits through effective management systems.

He started his aviation career when he joined the UK Royal Air Force as an apprentice in 1978, he then converted to the civil sector as a Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer before being appointed a Senior Airworthiness Surveyor in the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Bob, along with Keven Baines, formed Baines Simmons in 2001 after identifying a gap in the aviation training and consultancy market.

Baines Simmons is part of the Air Partner Group, a Wheels Up company.

Paul Achkar is an experienced aerospace professional currently leading Services Business Development & Marketing for Airbus Corporate Jets. His career spans diverse roles at Airbus, WEARE Group, and Alcimed encompassing customer support, services sales, strategic consulting and business growth in Europe and South Asia. He is passionate about identifying opportunities and fostering innovation in aviation.

Yann-Guillaume Jaccard co-founded Simply Jet at the age of 23. He was inspired by his hotel management studies at EHL and wanted to bring Swiss’ finest hospitality to business aviation. Combining technology and a real human sensibility to craft flight experiences worth living, his team rapidly grew the company to a recognized market position in the EU.

He is always up for new entrepreneurial challenges and aims to keep adding a variety of aviation services to Simply Jet’s core offering in the near future.

Simon Greasley is the Managing Director of Allaero as has been with the company for 28 years. Allaero is a family business now in its third generation which supplies Business Aircraft Parts internationally.

Allaero’s reputation for supplying quality aircraft parts at a fair market value has driven the growth of the company to form a component repair shop to compliment their service and ensure lead times and prices of components are reduced in the supply chain. Simon is also the Managing Director of this repair facility – Repaero.

Martin Orlita is the Quality, Safety, and Security Manager at ABS Jets, a leading business aviation operator and maintenance provider in Central and Eastern Europe. As a founding member and the company’s first CEO in 2004, Martin has played a pivotal role in shaping ABS Jets’ trajectory. With over 29 years of experience in aviation, his career encompasses roles as a static stress analyst, technical director of a maintenance service center, and aviation authority inspector. He is also a certified IOSA auditor and instructor in top management systems for aviation companies.

ABS Jets operates a diverse fleet of approximately 20 aircraft, including Gulfstream G700, G650, G550, G500; Bombardier Challenger 605, Dassault Falcon 7X; Airbus H145; Cessna Citation XLS+; and Embraer Legacy 600/650. The company holds both AOC and NCC certifications and offers comprehensive base and line maintenance services, authorized for various aircraft types and supporting global AOG operations.

Tim is Director of Customer Relations for Embraer Executive Jets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 25 years in aviation, Tim brings a deep technical background and a passion for customer service to the executive aviation space.

He began his career as a licensed avionics technician in 1998, working on aircraft such as the BAe146, Fokker 70/100, and Airbus A320. His career has spanned roles at Air UK, Vueling, and KLM Cityhopper before joining Embraer in 2015 as a Field Service Representative. Today, he leads customer relations across the EMEA region, drawing on a unique blend of hands-on expertise and strategic insight.

Outside of work, Tim enjoys traveling, watching sports, farming, and spending time with his family.

Dave Falberg is an experienced senior executive with over 20 years in the aviation industry. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Sales, EMEA-APAC at Gogo, where he leads international sales, commercial growth, and business development activity.

Prior to Gogo, Dave spent eight years at Satcom Direct, holding leadership roles, including Vice President of Satcom Direct International. He was key in expanding the company’s presence across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, delivering satellite connectivity solutions to the business and military/government aviation sector, by raising the company profile, identifying gaps in the market, and introducing new commercial business models to the customers, resulting in increased sales and customer appreciation of the benefits of connectivity for business aviation.

Dave excels at creating and motivating strong sales teams, driving growth and building strong customer relationships. His dynamic personality continues to drive Gogo’s mission of delivering and enhancing in-flight connectivity for business aviation worldwide.

Phil is founder and CEO of leading wheel & brake MRO, World Aero. Following an apprenticeship with the UK Ministry of Defence and a career as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer, for the last 25 years he has guided the growing team at World Aero. Passionate about aviation, Phil is also a pilot and has a keen interest in nurturing the next generation into aviation. Aside from aviation, Phil devotes his time between his family and his love of travel.

Shivam Saxena is the Director of Aircraft Management & Maintenance at Action Aviation, where he supervises aircraft management and supports technical aspects of aircraft sales projects. With 16 years of experience, Shivam is an experienced professional in Aircraft Maintenance & Airworthiness (CAMO) Management, Aircraft Maintenance Planning, and Quality Control. He joined Action Aviation in 2019 as a Sales Support Manager and quickly progressed to Technical Director by January 2021. Prior to his role at Action Aviation, he held regulatory positions for over a decade with major non-scheduled operators in India, managing a diverse fleet of business jets and helicopters.

Shivam holds an MBA in Aerospace Management from Toulouse Business School in France and a General Management certification for Aerospace and Aviation Executives from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Bengaluru, India. Additionally, he is a graduate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and has completed various specialized aviation training programs.

53 Years, Swiss, Master of Arts (University of Berne)

3 Years as Chairman and CIO of NGFT Solutions AG

2 Years as Chairman and Technical Director of European Helicopter Association (EHA)

14 Years at Next Generation Flight Training and NGFT Consulting

10 Years as Senior Consultant in International Financial Institutions

8 Years as Head of Training (HT) of Helicopter Pilot School (ATO)

Member of RAeS

CPL/IR, FI (A/H) EASA/FAA

Lt Col (Ret.), Staff Officer, Swiss Air Force, General Staff

Paul Sconce is a seasoned business leader with over 29 years of engineering and commercial experience across land, sea, and air sectors. Currently serving as General & Accountable Manager at Euravia Engineering, Paul oversees global MRO operations for PT6 and Rolls Royce M250 engines. Under his leadership, the company has seen significant growth, including a 19% revenue increase in 2024.

Previously, Paul held the role of International Business Development Manager at Euravia, where he generated over $60 million in revenue and led major contract wins with global air forces. His career spans senior commercial and technical roles at leading engineering firms including Wall Colmonoy, Praxair Surface Technologies, and Hycrome (Score Group), as well as military experience with the British Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

A strategic thinker and proven operator, Paul is known for driving business transformation, forging high-level government and military partnerships, and delivering sustainable commercial growth in highly regulated aerospace environments.

International Sales Director for StandardAero responsible for Business Aviation engine activity in the EMEAI region.

Over 40 years of Aviation industry experience spanning multiple sectors (fixed wing, rotary & military) in various senior roles with full P&L responsibility.

Dedicated to meeting Customer expectation and satisfaction and working collaboratively with the larger aviation community to deliver a high quality, reliable service solution.

Delray Dobbins was recently appointed the Director of Global Strategy for Engine Assurance Program (EAP) based in Dallas, TX. Delray is an industry veteran in the engine OEM space having spent almost 30 years with Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Delray has held roles in technical publications, field service support, and multiple sales functions. He has sold CorporateCare and Eagle Service Plan while with the engine OEMs, and he also was a customer of major engine plans when he worked on the broker side with Mente Group including CorporateCare (RRCC), Eagle Service Plan (ESP), Honeywell’s Maintenance Service Plan (MSP), and GE’s ON-Point.

In his new role, Delray will guide EAP’s efforts to bring high-quality engine support to out-of-production aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada and Rolls-Royce engines.

In 2022, Delray joined the NBAA Maintenance Committee to participate in ongoing industry discussions as well as NBAA’s efforts to visit Part 147 (A&P) schools to promote business aviation as a viable and rewarding career path.

Delray has a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Technology from Purdue University where he graduated with his airframe and powerplant license as well as a commercial / instrument pilot’s license. In his downtime, Delray enjoys flying his 1966 Beechcraft V35 Bonanza.

Ben Newman is Head of Commercial for the Inflite Group, having joined the company in January 2024 following a distinguished career as a Logistics Officer in the Royal Air Force. During his time in the RAF, Ben undertook an operational tour in Afghanistan, where he further developed his leadership and organisational skills, managing vital operations in challenging environments.

Since moving into the private sector, Ben has focused his efforts on Inflite the Jet Centre, one of the Group’s leading companies, and has quickly become a highly valued and driven member of the team. His strategic thinking and dedication to creating new business opportunities have been key to the company’s growth and ongoing success. Resulting in Bens efforts being recognised through being awarded the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) Excellence in Aviation, The Next Generation Award for 2024.

Ben Newman is actively involved in both the General Aviation and Commercial Aviation sectors, building strong relationships with key stakeholders, identifying emerging market opportunities, and leading business development initiatives. This event marks his first speaking engagement on General Aviation, a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his influence within the industry and his dedication to advancing the objectives of the Inflite Group.

With a strong foundation in Sales and Key Account Management, Thomas has cultivated deep expertise across several leading aviation management firms in Europe, including Abelag, Luxaviation Luxembourg, and Alliance Executive Jets. His career spans both boutique operators and global enterprises, where he has consistently delivered exceptional service and fostered strong client relationships.

In September 2023, Thomas joined JSSI as Business Development Director, overseeing strategic growth across the Benelux region, the UK and Ireland, Scandinavia, and Malta.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and a Master’s degree in Sports Management, bringing a dynamic perspective to his work in aviation. When he’s not supporting aircraft owners and operators, Thomas is an avid runner and cyclist.

Ben joined JSSI in 2021 to represent the parts business in the EMEA region. Focused on not only supporting our rapidly expanding base of third party parts customers, but also supporting our purchasing and technical teams in supporting JSSI Hourly Cost Maintenance customers, with over 100,000 parts in stock, for all OEM’s, from fasteners to engines.

Ben began his career in aviation in 1999 as an engineer in the Royal Air Force. After heading the sales team for a leading bizav parts supplier in the UK for 9 years, Ben joined JSSI to bring his knowledge to the business’ every growing parts division.

Shane is responsible for overseeing, directing, and leading the design and sales teams in V/VIP Aircraft maintenance and refurbishment services for large cabin, narrow and wide-body aircraft worldwide. Citadel Completions is thrilled to announce Shane Combs as the new Director of Completions Sales and Design, bringing with him over three decades of experience in the aviation industry. His impressive career began in the U.S. Air Force as a C-130 Flying Crew chief before retiring in 1996 and joining Custom Aircraft Cabinets Inc. and MidCoast Aviation as a Cabinetmaker. Shane quickly rose through the ranks at Gulfstream Aerospace, where he became responsible for all back shop activity and skills sets, including sheet metal fabrication, installations, Cabinet Fabrications, and Finish and Upholstery. He has since held various managerial positions at esteemed companies such as Jet Aviation, Dassault Aircraft Services, and Dynamic Aviation, where he was responsible for business development and sales for parts and component fabrication and private charters.

Shane is an accomplished Sales, Business Development, Operations, and Program Manager with a proven track record of success. He has extensive experience managing Completion Center Programs, served as the primary point of contact for VIP customers, and led teams of sales professionals. Additionally, he is a Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma specialist and 5S facilitator, with a strong emphasis on employee and customer communication, motivational techniques, and recognition programs.

With his leadership and management skills, Shane is poised to lead the Completions Sales and Design team to new heights, delivering exceptional results for clients. His passion for building successful customer relationships and inspiring the next generation of young, diverse aerospace and aviation professionals make him a valuable asset to the Citadel Completions team.

Sander Podgoric is the General Manager of Bombardier’s London Biggin Hill Service Centre and brings more than 25 years of experience in the aviation industry. Throughout his career, Sander has held a variety of leadership roles spanning customer support, aircraft maintenance, new business development and operational management across both commercial and business aviation sectors. His deep expertise and commitment to excellence have consistently driven innovation and performance in aircraft service centre operations. Sander is passionate about fostering strong customer relationships and advancing safety and efficiency in aviation maintenance.

As Vice President of International Customer Service Centers, Stefan Wenger oversees the strategic development and operational excellence of Textron Aviation’s service centers across Europe and the Asia -Pacific region, including locations in Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Singapore and Australia.

Prior to assuming this role, Stefan served as General Manager of the Zurich Service Center, where he was responsible for both operational and financial performance. He joined Textron Aviation in 2015 and has been a valued member of the organization for more than a decade. With a strong focus on expanding OEM support globally, Stefan has played a pivotal role in enhancing Textron Aviation’s international service footprint.

His commitment to customer satisfaction and operational efficiency has driven investments in larger, modernized facilities worldwide, ensuring minimal downtime and premium service experience for Textron Aviation customers. His leadership reflects the company’s broader mission to deliver world-class support and innovation across its international network, which includes nine service centers and more than 60 mobile service units globally.

Stefan holds a master’s degree in engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Gallen. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his four children and three grandsons, and has a passion for cooking, traveling, and cycling.

As Vice President for Aftermarket Innovation and Business Operations, Brian Adams is passionate about Continuous Improvement and collaborating with teammates to bring innovative solutions to our customers and new products to market. Brian leads a global team in support of all Textron Aviation aircraft. In addition to a wide range of product support and customer service responsibilities, his Aftermarket Business Development team works to bring new and innovative aftermarket solutions to the Textron Aviation fleet.

Brian has been a part of the Textron Aviation family for 29 years. He began his career in 1996 as an Industrial Engineer for Cessna Aircraft Company, before holding a variety of leadership positions within manufacturing
operations. Brian is Six Sigma Master Black Belt certified and has led various Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing Initiatives for aircraft production. Through his career at Textron Aviation, he was responsible for development of the manufacturing plan and production startup of many new business jet models including the Citation Latitude, Citation Longitude and SkyCourier.

Brian earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Oklahoma State University in 1996, and his master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Wichita State University in 2002. He has served on the Industrial Advisory Board for Industrial Engineering and Management at Oklahoma State University and the Aviation Pathways Advisory Board for the Wichita and Derby school districts.

Brian and his wife reside in Wichita, Kansas, where they raised three children. Brian enjoys spending time with his family at Oklahoma State University events.