News

Wichita Aero Club Will Host “Air Capital Leadership Panel II” at Annual ON-AIR Summit

November 1, 2011 8:27am

Leaders of Wichita-based Aerospace Firms Will Form Panel for December 7, 2011 Event

Wichita, KS—November 1, 2011—Two years after it hosted the leaders of Wichita’s aerospace firms at its first ON-AIR SUMMIT, the Wichita Aero Club will reprise the event at noon on December 7, 2011 with three of the five companies being represented by new executives. The original “Air Capital Leaders Panel” drew the Aero Club’s largest-ever audience in December of 2009. Since then, the senior management teams at Airbus, Bombardier Learjet, and Cessna have changed. This year’s panel will include newcomers John O’Leary of Airbus, Ralph Acs of Bombardier Learjet, and Brad Thress of Cessna (pinch-hitting for new Cessna CEO Scott Ernest). Hawker Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture and Jeff Turner, chief executive of Spirit AeroSystems will return to answer questions posed by Business and Commercial Aviation magazine Senior Editor Fred George during an extended luncheon that will run from 11:45 AM until 1:45 PM. The format of the discussion will be virtually the same as it was in 2009.
“We decided to come back to the senior leadership panel this year because a great deal has changed since we hosted the first ON-AIR Summit,” explained Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club’s Executive Director. “This coming year will be an especially important one and we’re hopeful the panel will address their current performance and market outlooks, key issues of importance to the industry, and the impact and potential changes that may occur following the upcoming national election.”
The 2009 ON-AIR SUMMIT drew a record crowd of 325 attendees and an additional audience on-line. This year’s presentation will be broadcast on-line as well, and a video of the event will be posted on-line at the Aero Club’s website, www.wichitaaeroclub.com/award following the completion of the live event.
The Wichita Aero Club was established in 2008 to foster and promote interest in aviation, provide a forum focused on the industry’s issues and achievements and bring together those with a passion for flight in an environment that expands and enhances professional relationships and furthers cooperation and understanding.
For more information on the Wichita Aero Club, the December 7 ON-AIR SUMMIT, or other Wichita Aero Club events, call 316-681-4491 or visit the WAC website at www.wichitaaeroclub.org.