West Star appoints Brian Howell as chief commercial officer
MRO provider West Star Aviation has appointed Brian Howell as chief commercial officer.
Reporting to CEO Stephen Maiden, Howell will focus on strengthening sales and marketing by assessing current strategies and fostering collaboration across teams. He will also lead an evaluation of talent within the commercial organisation.
With extensive experience in the aviation sector, Howell has held leadership roles at top companies including Honeywell Aerospace and Textron Aviation.
In his new role, Howell will also establish targets and KPIs aligned with West Star’s growth goals. In addition, he will serve as a primary support resource for the sales team, working to build and maintain strong relationships with major vendors, OEMs and customers.
Reflecting on his appointment, Howell said: “I am honoured to join West Star Aviation, a company that values exceptional customer service and operational excellence. I’m excited to leverage my experience to further enhance our capabilities and ensure we meet the evolving needs of our clients in the business aviation sector.”
Howell holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Entrepreneurship and Marketing, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Wichita State University.
Maiden said: “Brian’s extensive experience and strategic mindset will be pivotal as we work to elevate our service offerings and achieve our growth ambitions. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to seeing how his vision will help shape the future of West Star Aviation.”
Howell’s appointment follows the hire of William Morris as general counsel, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of legal experience in aviation.
Morris will oversee West Star’s legal and risk management functions. His role will enhance operational efficiency while ensuring compliance and safety, said the company in a press release.
“William’s background in business law within the aerospace sector aligns well with our strategic objectives,” said Maiden. “His leadership will be critical in advancing our mission to support our customers effectively.”
