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Eclipse Aviation Adds Aerospace Veteran as COO
Top Honeywell executive joins industry's leading VLJ manufacturer
OSHKOSH, WI - July 26, 2005 - Today Eclipse Aviation, the leading very light jet (VLJ) manufacturer, announced the addition of Peg Billson as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Billson brings nearly 20 years of aerospace industry leadership to Eclipse, including deep experience in operations, finance, engineering, technology, customer service and product support. At Eclipse, Billson will be responsible for all areas of operations, including Engineering, Program Management, Management of Information Systems, Supply Chain Management and Operations.
Peg Billson was most recently the vice president and general manager of Honeywell International Inc.'s Aircraft Frame Systems business, a $2.0 billion a year supplier of air condition, electric power and auxiliary power units to the aerospace industry. As the leader of this 3,300-person organization, Billson was accountable for all aspects of the business, including setting strategic direction, delivering on financial commitments and satisfying customers.
“We are fortunate to welcome such a seasoned and respected aviation leader to Eclipse, and look forward to the benefit of Peg's strong expertise in global operations,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “We're not only bringing a great aircraft to market, we're building an enduring business. Peg's experience will be invaluable as we continue to establish our business infrastructure, expand our customer base and deliver and support the world's leading VLJ.”
Previously, Billson held positions at Honeywell as the vice president & general manager of Aircraft Landing Systems, a $400 million per year supplier of wheels and brakes and as vice president of engineering for Honeywell Engines, Systems & Services. At this $5 billion company, which produces propulsion engines and accessories, environmental control and electrical systems for commercial and military aerospace applications, Billson was responsible for technology strategy and readiness, product development and in-service technical support. In this position, Billson led a 4,000 employee workforce located in nine sites throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia and was responsible for an annual product development and research budget of $650 million. While at Honeywell Engines, Systems & Services, Billson successfully built a competitive engineering capability through integrated product development processes, design for Six Sigma culture and focused market-driven technology planning.
Before joining Honeywell, Billson worked for McDonnell Douglas Corporation as vice president of MD-11, MD-80 and MD-90 programs. Her responsibilities in these positions included managing airplane configurations, recommending new aircraft sales, driving cost reduction programs and improving the quality and dispatch reliability of the fleet. In her 13 years at McDonnell Douglas, Billson held executive leadership roles in engineering, product support and program management.
“I am thrilled to be joining the high-performing team at Eclipse to realize the value proposition for jet aircraft through innovation,” said Billson. “Eclipse is a fast-growing company at a critical stage of maturation and I look forward to applying my rich operations experience to make a significant impact by helping Eclipse advance its leadership position in the emerging VLJ category while effectively managing growth and driving profitability.”
Billson holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering-Aerospace from California State University at Long Beach, where she published papers and a thesis in computational fluid dynamics. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Aeronautical Engineering and currently serves on the University's President's Advisory board. Peg holds a private pilot's certificate with a multi-engine rating.
Peg Billson was most recently the vice president and general manager of Honeywell International Inc.'s Aircraft Frame Systems business, a $2.0 billion a year supplier of air condition, electric power and auxiliary power units to the aerospace industry. As the leader of this 3,300-person organization, Billson was accountable for all aspects of the business, including setting strategic direction, delivering on financial commitments and satisfying customers.
“We are fortunate to welcome such a seasoned and respected aviation leader to Eclipse, and look forward to the benefit of Peg's strong expertise in global operations,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “We're not only bringing a great aircraft to market, we're building an enduring business. Peg's experience will be invaluable as we continue to establish our business infrastructure, expand our customer base and deliver and support the world's leading VLJ.”
Previously, Billson held positions at Honeywell as the vice president & general manager of Aircraft Landing Systems, a $400 million per year supplier of wheels and brakes and as vice president of engineering for Honeywell Engines, Systems & Services. At this $5 billion company, which produces propulsion engines and accessories, environmental control and electrical systems for commercial and military aerospace applications, Billson was responsible for technology strategy and readiness, product development and in-service technical support. In this position, Billson led a 4,000 employee workforce located in nine sites throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia and was responsible for an annual product development and research budget of $650 million. While at Honeywell Engines, Systems & Services, Billson successfully built a competitive engineering capability through integrated product development processes, design for Six Sigma culture and focused market-driven technology planning.
Before joining Honeywell, Billson worked for McDonnell Douglas Corporation as vice president of MD-11, MD-80 and MD-90 programs. Her responsibilities in these positions included managing airplane configurations, recommending new aircraft sales, driving cost reduction programs and improving the quality and dispatch reliability of the fleet. In her 13 years at McDonnell Douglas, Billson held executive leadership roles in engineering, product support and program management.
“I am thrilled to be joining the high-performing team at Eclipse to realize the value proposition for jet aircraft through innovation,” said Billson. “Eclipse is a fast-growing company at a critical stage of maturation and I look forward to applying my rich operations experience to make a significant impact by helping Eclipse advance its leadership position in the emerging VLJ category while effectively managing growth and driving profitability.”
Billson holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering-Aerospace from California State University at Long Beach, where she published papers and a thesis in computational fluid dynamics. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Aeronautical Engineering and currently serves on the University's President's Advisory board. Peg holds a private pilot's certificate with a multi-engine rating.
About Eclipse:
Eclipse Aviation is in the business of designing, certifying and producing modern, affordable jet aircraft that will revolutionize the transportation market. The company is applying advanced electronics systems, manufacturing and business practices to produce aircraft that cost less than a third of today's small jet aircraft, will be significantly safer and easier to operate than those of today, and have the lowest cost of ownership ever achieved in a jet aircraft.
The goal of Eclipse is to bring the word "personal" into aviation, making it possible for commercial air passengers to move directly between cities on a quick, affordable and convenient basis. It will also allow pilot owners to enter the world of jet-powered aviation.