Management
Our people are the key to making and keeping AmSafe the undisputed world leader in restraint technology. From our top management and staff, to our engineering and testing group, to our delivery experts, every member of the AmSafe team is dedicated to customer satisfaction.
AmSafe Executive Staff
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Mr. Lyons was a member of the group which effected the acquisition of AmSafe in 2004, and thereafter joined the company as its executive vice-president and CFO. In that position, he played a key role in the transformation of AmSafe into a stand-alone entity. Terry spearheaded the successful sale of the company to its current investor group in late 2007, and rejoined AmSafe as its CEO in 2009. Terry has enjoyed a diverse and successful career in the aerospace and defense industries, and in addition to his years at AmSafe has experience in investment banking, corporate development and financial and operational management. He served as vice president of Quarterdeck Investment Partners, specializing in middle-market aerospace and defense mergers and acquisitions and he was the chief financial officer of Composite Structures, LLC, a manufacturer of complex aircraft structures. Earlier in his career, Terry spent over ten years at Teledyne, Inc. where he worked at both the corporate and operating company levels in such roles as senior financial advisor to the president of Teledyne's $1.5 billion aerospace and electronics segment and vice president of Teledyne Wah Chang, an integrated manufacturer of specialty metals. Mr. Lyons earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. He also completed the executive program at the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management.
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Mr. Gilbert joined AmSafe in the spring of 2008 and brings with him over 26 years of financial experience in the highly-engineered automotive and aerospace industries. Dennis recently worked for GKN Aerospace where he was the vice president of finance responsible for leading the accounting, finance and IT functions for the division's eight independent businesses. Dennis began his career with Hamilton Sundstrand (division of UTC), where as director of financial operations, his accounting and finance teams supported 4 divisions in 11 sites throughout United States, Puerto Rico and Singapore contributing to $800M in sales. Mr. Gilbert earned his Masters of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois.
| Willard F. Hagan President AmSafe Aviation |
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Mr. Hagan joined the company in 1994 as operations manager and was promoted to general manager of AmSafe Aviation in 1996 and president of AmSafe Aviation in 2000. Before joining AmSafe, Bill worked for nine years at General Motors Inland Fisher Guide (Delphi) division as a senior project manager and oversaw airbag technology development and managed model year programs for instrument panel and occupant safety systems. Prior to that, he spent eight years at his family’s financial printing business working in a range of business and operations capacities. Mr. Hagan earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton where he majored in Mechanical Engineering technology.
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Mr. McIlwraith joined AmSafe in 1998. Prior to joining AmSafe, Robert was managing director of MBM Technology, a subsidiary of Morgan Crucible plc, and had responsibility for sites in the UK and USA. He assumed the position of managing director in 1992 and before this held the positions of chief engineer for the company and director and general manager of one of the largest operating divisions. Prior to that, Robert worked at Rolls Royce plc as a senior development engineer, specifically on military aero engines. Mr. McIlwraith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University College Cardiff.
| Peter Miller President AmSafe Commercial Products |
Mr. Miller joined AmSafe in 2008 and brings with him over 17 years of experience in the design and manufacturing of occupant restraint systems. Peter came to AmSafe from Holmbergs Child Safety Company Ltd., where he established a manufacturing factory in Hong Kong and recently held the position of chief operating officer. Peter began his career at Indiana Mills and Manufacturing Incorporated, with key responsibilities in product and market development, research and development, and concept engineering. During his tenure at Indiana Mills, Peter managed the development of new occupant restraints for on- and off-road commercial vehicles, child safety seats, and marine and specialty products. Mr. Miller earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University.
| Michael Smith Vice President of Operational Excellence AmSafe, Inc. |
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Mr. Smith brings with him over 30 years of experience in both aerospace and commercial manufacturing. Prior to joining AmSafe, Michael held the position of vice president, global development with Ducommun, Inc., where he was responsible for strategic supplier partnerships and establishing a low-cost aircraft structures facility in Guaymas, Mexico. While at Ducommun, Michael also held the position of vice president of materials and supply chain for the Aerostructures division, where he oversaw 75 personnel in a multi-site aerospace manufacturing environment with responsibility covering several locations worldwide. Mr. Smith has a Bachelor's degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from University of La Verne and holds a Lean Six-Sigma Greenbelt.
AmSafe Management
Mike Austin, Director of Operations, AmSafe Commercial Products
Mr. Austin joined AmSafe in 2008, as program manager and now holds the position of director of operations based in Elkhart, Indiana. Mike brings with him 25 years of experience in manufacturing, most recently in the automobile seat industry working for Dura Automotive. During his 15 years at Dura, Mike held the position as director of operations for the component hardware division and managed three other divisions within the organization – two in Indiana and one in Iowa. Prior to Dura, Mike worked for a northern Indiana company as a manufacturing engineer building pressure vessels. Mr. Austin served four years with U.S. Navy and achieved his Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree from San Diego City College. Mike is an accredited senior member of Society of Manufacture Engineers.
Steve Carden, General Manager / Director, AmSafe Bridport, Europe & Africa markets
Mr. Carden joined the Bridport group of companies in 1987 filling a variety of roles in IT, engineering, quality and new product development. Currently Steve is
responsible for the Bridport site including sales of aviation cargo restraint systems and technical fabrics across Europe and Africa. He is also responsible for technical matters such as engineering and IT for AmSafe Bridport globally.
Prior to AmSafe, Steve had a 16 year career in construction and offshore engineering specializing in engineering and large scale project management. Mr. Carden earned his Bachelor's degree from The City University where he majored in civil engineering. He also holds a Master’s degree in Maritime Civil Engineering from Liverpool University and a Postgraduate Diploma in IT from the University of the West of England.
Sean Casey, Director of European Operations, AmSafe Commercial Products
Mr. Casey joined AmSafe in 2000 as operations manager at our U.K. facility before and now holds the position of director of European operations. Prior to joining AmSafe, Sean spent ten years with a world-leading automotive occupant safety equipment manufacturer working in the planning and logistics, finance, engineering and sales divisions. This experience enabled the transformation of AmSafe Commercial Products European facility from a simple sewing shop to a complete manufacturing centre.
Steve Hancock, General Manager, AmSafe Bridport, Erie facility
Mr. Hancock joined AmSafe in 2000. Twelve years prior, Steve held various positions within Erie Aviation, a Pennsylvania based aviation repair and distribution company. Mr. Hancock earned his Bachelor's degree from Penn State Erie - The Behrend College where he majored in Electronic Engineering.
Michael Jing, General Manager, AmSafe Aviation, Chongqing, China facility
Mr. Jing joined AmSafe Aviation in 1999 as the general manager of the AmSafe China operation where he oversees the manufacturing operation of the Chongqing facility. Before joining AmSafe, Michael was manager of the investment department of Yu Feng International (Hong Kong) Ltd. and prior to that, he was the assistant general manager of Chongqing Cam Shaft Co.,Ltd., a major supplier of metal accessories to automobile manufacturers. Mr. Jing earned a Bachelor’s degree of Automation from Tsinghua University in Beijing, specializing in production process control.
Ian Kentfield, General Manager, AmSafe Bridport, Asian and Middle East markets
Mr. Kentfield joined the company in 1986 as finance director of the subsidiary Bridport Aviation, and is responsible for the Sri Lanka and Kunshan manufacturing facilities including the provision and development of services and sales of the commercial aerospace market in the Middle East, Asia and Australian regions. In 2001 he led the company’s development into overseas manufacturing with the establishment of a facility in Sri Lanka. This was followed in 2004 with the opening of a facility in Kunshan, China, and Ian is now currently responsible for all the operational activities of AmSafe Bridport in the Asian and Middle East markets. Prior to AmSafe, Mr. Kentfield qualified as a Cost & Management accountant with the UK Ministry of Defense. In 1984 he worked for Doeflex plc a UK based plastics processing company in various positions and locations. In 1993 Mr. Kentfield earned an MBA from the University of South West England.
Andrew Mackie, General Manager, AmSafe Aviation, Europe facility
Mr. Mackie joined AmSafe in 2000 as general manager of the Hounslow facility, responsible for the operations of the aviation business throughout Europe and Asia, and manages the sales activities for Europe, Africa, Middle East, Former Soviet Union and the Indian sub-continent. Andrew brings with him 30-years of experience in the aerospace and defense Industry. Prior to AmSafe, Andrew was the sales and marketing director of the world’s largest independent packaging machinery company supplying components to companies like HP and Pfizer. His experience in aerospace and defense was gained as chief engineer of Courtaulds Structural Composites working on items as diverse as the SDI programs for Lockheed, Oakridge Laboratory, the Lotus F1 tub, and has a number of patents relating to the use of High Modulus Fibres in advanced composites. Andrew was sales and marketing director of C.F. Taylor the Aircraft Galley, Structures Company and business unit manager /product director at Air Log responsible for weapons handling and test equipment (including nuclear) supplied to the US Navy , USAF, RAF and Royal Navy. Mr. Mackie has a Bachelor’s degree (with honors) in mechanical engineering from Loughborough, and a fellowship in manufacturing management, from Cranfield Institute of Advanced Technology. He has sat on the Academic Board of Coventry University, a technical committee of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (setting standards for European ground support equipment) and SBAC and PPMA committees.
Herb Mardany, Vice President / General Manager, AmSafe Aviation
Mr. Mardany joined AmSafe Aviation in 1999 as director of operations before being promoted to vice president in 2005. As vice president, Herb oversees all of the traditional aviation seatbelt and restraint business in our facilities worldwide along with the day-to-day operations in the Phoenix facility. Before joining AmSafe, Herb was business unit manager for InteSys Technologies automotive business. InteSys Technologies, since bought by Textron, was an injection molding and component supplier to the automotive and telecommunication industry.
Mr. Mardany has held positions in engineering, quality and operations management for aerospace and electronics companies such as Texas Instruments, Storage Technology and Gould. Mr. Mardany earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from Rutgers University, College of Engineering, specializing in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.
Keith Marsicola , General Manager, AmSafe Aviation, Cerritos facility
Mr. Marsicola joined AmSafe in 2006 as director of operations for the Phoenix facility and how is the general manager for the evacuation slide business in Cerritos California. Keith brings with him over 22 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industries, and has held various management positions in materials, supply-chain and manufacturing. Mr. Marsicola earned his Bachelors of Arts in Economics from California State University Northridge and a MBA from the University of Redlands.
Johnie McDaniel, General Manager, AmSafe Aviation, Atlanta facility
Mr. McDaniel joined AmSafe Aviation in January of 2006 as operations and quality manager and was promoted to general manager in 2007. As general manager of the Atlanta facility,
Johnie is responsible for operations, quality control, customer service, materials/inventory, along with P&L responsibility. Johnie came to AmSafe from Jouve Data Management, where he served as an aircraft manuals analyst. Johnie has enjoyed a 32-year career at Delta Air Lines, holding positions of increasing responsibility in inventory management and technical publications. Upon retirement as manager of aircraft manuals, he was employed by Delta as a technical publications consultant for three years. Mr. McDaniel graduated from Gordon Military College with an Associate’s degree and from the United States Army Officer Candidate School with a commission as an Army officer.
Neal McKeever, General Manager / Director of Defense, AmSafe Bridport
Mr. McKeever joined AmSafe in January 2007 and is responsible for the military aviation operation at our Ringwood UK facility and developing the AmSafe Bridport defense business. Prior to joining AmSafe, Neal had a 26-year career with Smiths Aerospace. His last position was managing director, International Military Business, responsible for development of business and key account management in the military market outside North America; prior to this position, Neal was managing director of its UK Avionics business. Mr. McKeever is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Robert Mechem, General Manager, AmSafe Bridport, commercial aircraft spares product line
Mr. Mechem joined AmSafe Bridport as commercial director for the Britannic Aviation subsidiary when they were acquired by AmSafe Bridport in March 1996. He was appointed in September 2000 to general manager of Britannic Aviation which is now AmSafe Bridport and is responsible for business development, inventory management and sales activities surrounding the distribution business at the Portsmouth and Gatwick locations. Mr. Mechem was one of the original directors of Britannic Aviation when it was formed in 1991 to specialize in the aircraft parts distribution business and prior to that, he spent six years as a director of Hayward and Green Ltd, a UK aircraft parts supplier. Mr. Mechem brings with him expertise gained from Monarch Airlines, one of Europe’s major holiday charter airlines, as he held several positions in sales and purchasing within their engineering departments.
Joseph Smith, General Manager, AmSafe Aviation, Airbag product line
Mr. Smith joined the company in 2001 and is responsible for defining and directing all activities involving the AmSafe Aviation Airbag system. Before joining AmSafe, Joe was director of operations at Triumph Air Repair in the repair and overhaul of gas turbine engines and their related components and systems. Prior to that, he spent seven years managing a supplier of fans/motors/blowers, solenoids and valves for major aircraft engine and airframe OEM’s. Overall Joe has 27-years of design, flight/ground test, manufacturing and management experience in aerospace and commercial industries.
Mr. Smith earned his BSAE degree at Arizona State University along with graduate work towards a Master’s degree in Aeronautics.
Fred Wang, Director of Asian Operations, AmSafe Commercial Products
Mr. Wang joined AmSafe in 2010 and brings with him over 25 years of experience, with 14 years in management positions within the automotive industry. Prior to joining AmSafe, Fred was the general manager for GKN Driveline Torque Shanghai, a start-up operation where he contributed to its significant growth. Before GKN, Fred was plant manager for Dana located Wuxi and prior to that, Fred worked at Futuris Automotive Interiors, where he initially started as operations director responsible for building up their new Anhui plant and then promoted to general manager. Before he joined Futuris, Fred was with General Motors, China, in supplier quality and development. Fred’s automotive career initially started in product development with TRW Lucas Varity in 1996 before progressing into production management.
Mr. Wang earned a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Tsinghua University and a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Taiyuan University of Technology. Between1985-1993 Mr. Wang joined North China Institute of Technology where he was lecturer in the Material Engineering Department, majoring in Forging and Stamping.
