Amsafe

Leadership

Vision. Knowledge. Expertise.

Our people are the key to making and keeping AmSafe the undisputed world leader in aviation 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

Kenneth J. Beckemeyer President AmSafe, Inc.

Mr. Beckemeyer has been with the company for over twenty years, having joined what was, then known as the American Safety Equipment Company, in corporate finance. In 1991 he was promoted to the position of General Manager of the Aviation division, and subsequently was named president of AmSafe Aviation in 1994. Ken oversees all business units of AmSafe. Prior to joining the company, Ken held various positions in engineering, manufacturing and accounting at Midland Ross. Mr. Beckemeyer earned an MBA from California State University, a BSBA from Lawrence Institute of Technology and an AE from RETS.

Terence W. Lyons Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer AmSafe, Inc.

Mr. Lyons joined the company in 2004. Before joining AmSafe, he was a vice president of Quarterdeck Investment Partners, a Los Angeles based investment banking firm, where he advised clients on middle-market aerospace and defense mergers and acquisitions. Terry also served as chief financial officer of Composite Structures, LLC, a Southern California manufacturer of aircraft fuselage components and airfoil structures. Prior to that, Terry spent ten years at Teledyne, Inc., where he worked at both the corporate and operating company levels in various positions, including senior financial advisor to the president of Teledyne’s $1.5 billion aerospace and electronics segment and vice president of finance of Teledyne Wah Chang, an integrated manufacturer of specialty metals. Mr. Lyons earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati where he majored in accounting. He also completed the executive program in management at UCLA’s Anderson School of Business.

Joseph M. Gavin President AmSafe Commercial Products

Mr. Gavin joined AmSafe in 1991 as controller and in 1997 was promoted to general manager of AmSafe Commercial Products. Joe has been instrumental in growing our solution offerings in the niche automotive and child products sectors, and expanding our operational activities abroad. Prior to joining AmSafe, Joe was a manager in the Entrepreneurial Services Group for Ernst & Young, responsible for providing audit, tax and consulting services to small and medium business clients. Before Ernst & Young, Joe held financial accounting positions at POS Systems, Inc. and U-Haul. Mr. Gavin holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arizona State University.

Willard F. Hagan President AmSafe Aviation

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.

Alan Robert McIlwraith Managing Director AmSafe Bridport

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.

 

AmSafe General Managers

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.

Christopher Evans, General Manager, AmSafe Commercial Products, Bookham UK facility
Mr. Evans has achieved 36-years of experience in the safety belt industry. Chris joined AmSafe in 1999 following the acquisition of Safetex Marketing Ltd., a company which he founded in 1989 and currently has P&L responsibility for the operation of the facility in Bookham . Before Safetex, Chris spent six years as sales manager for Kangol Magnet of Carlisle responsible for sales and marketing of child and adult automotive safety equipment to major retail outlets. Chris spent 12-years working in the O.E safety belt industry as a technical sales manager, first with Britax Excelsior and then with Klippan Safety Products. During this time Chris was responsible for all technical and commercial aspects of safety belt sales and serviced the safety belt accounts for nearly every major European vehicle manufacturer.

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 McConnell, General Manager, AmSafe Bridport U.S.
Mr. McConnell joined the company in July 1998, and is currently responsible for the support of North, Central and South America for all AmSafe Bridport products and services, as well as having overall responsibility for the Seattle manufacturing facility and Erie repair station. Keith is additionally responsible for overseeing the certification, assembly and sales/distribution support for RKN perishable shipping container program. Before AmSafe, Keith was general manager for commercial and military programs at Hexcel Structures in Kent, Washington where he was responsible for multiple design and build programs for complex composite fairing assemblies for the C-17, MD-11 and DeHavilland Dash 8 programs. Keith also served briefly as business development manager for commercial composite assemblies with AlliantTech Systems in Magna, Utah and began his career as materials and process engineer with Rohr Industries and HITCO High Temperature Composites in Southern California. Mr. McConnell received his Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach where he majored in mechanical engineering. He also completed the executive masters program at the University of Washington.

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.

Ronald Nitz, General Manager, AmSafe Commercial Products
Mr. Nitz joined the company in 2004, and has direct responsibility for all business functions for AmSafe Commercial Products in the Elkhart facility, including sales, engineering, production, materials and accounting functions. Before joining AmSafe, Ron was employed for 19-years by Atwood Mobile Products, a supplier to the recreational vehicle market. While at Atwood, he held various positions including managing director of their Italian operation and general manager of their Elkhart, Indiana and Greenbrier, Tennessee operations. Prior to Atwood, Ron spent 10 years with Butler Manufacturing’s Agri-products division in Southern Wisconsin where he held several positions including purchasing agent, production and inventory control supervisor and materials manager. Ron served in the U.S. Air Force as an Intelligence Officer for 20 years both on active duty and in the reserves. Mr. Nitz earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he majored in management and production management.

Ken Shen, General Manager, AmSafe Commercial Products, Asian operations
Mr. Shen joined AmSafe Commercial Products in 1997 as a controller. By 2001, Ken was promoted to general manager and instrumental in establishing the manufacturing operations in China. As general manager, Ken has P&L responsibility for our China facilities and overseas the Asian business operations for our specialty restraints product line. Prior to joining AmSafe, Ken was the assistant general manager and chief financial officer for several companies within the garment manufacturer, Esquel Group. Mr. Shen earned his MBA from Roosevelt University and a Master's degree in Physics from University of Notre Dame.

Joseph Smith, General Manager, AmSafe Aviation, AAIR product line
Mr. Smith joined the company in 2001 and is responsible for defining and directing all activities involving the AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint (AAIR) 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.

Rick Wissinger, General Manager, AmSafe Aviation, evacuation systems product line
Mr. Wissinger joined the company in 2004 and currently oversees sales, operations, quality control and engineering for the Anaheim facility. Before joining AmSafe, he was regional general manager for Goodrich Aerospace, and responsible for multiple repair centers in the aerospace wheel and brake market. Prior experience includes group manager and sales manager at Pilkington Aerospace in Garden Grove, California. While employed at PPG and Sierracin, Rick held positions in various capacities from project engineer, marketing and sales manager, and director. Mr. Wissinger earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh where he majored in mechanical engineering. He also completed a Master’s of administrative science from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, with concentrations in project management and operation research.