Brazilian planemaker Embraer recently announced that the head of its Commercial Aviation Unit, John Slattery is leaving his position to become the Chief Executive Officer of GE Aviation. Embraer said that Slattery will be replaced by company Chief Commercial Officer Arjan Meijer.
Slattery’s resignation comes just weeks after the deal between Embraer and Boeing collapsed. He was reportedly responsible for championing the $4.2bn deal and had been offered to become a Boeing Executive-in-Charge for the partnership if it got closed. However, the deal couldn’t make it to the end due to the impact of coronavirus on the airline industry. Boeing would have taken control of Embraer’s commercial planes unit as part of the deal.
Slattery had joined Embraer in 2011 after working in the aircraft leasing industry, and in 2016 became the head of the commercial aviation unit, Embraer’s most famous and most profitable division.
Under his watch, Embraer launched its new line of jets, dubbed E2, which have been praised for their fuel efficiency but also lagged in sales, especially against its direct competitor, the Airbus A220.
Slattery will take over GE Aviation, the engine maker and lessor that is owned by General Electric, at a time when the aviation industry is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the coronavirus.
Slattery, 51, will succeed influential veteran David Joyce, who is retiring after 40 years with the U.S. conglomerate. Slattery will become President and CEO of GE Aviation on Sept. 1. Joyce will then be the Non-Executive Chairman of GE Aviation through December 31.
GE Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., said, “Over his remarkable career, David’s leadership has established GE Aviation as the world’s foremost aircraft engine franchise. An icon in the aerospace industry, David has been a driver of innovation, and the decisions made under his leadership will continue to manifest for decades. His greatest legacy may be the thousands of leaders he has mentored and developed throughout his career. I’d like to thank David both personally and on behalf of the Company for his countless contributions and service. GE Aviation’s foundation is strong thanks to his long-term vision to position our business and customers up for success.”
Commenting on his appointment, Slattery said, “I have long considered GE Aviation to be the leading aviation franchise in the world, and I am humbled to take the helm from David and lead this talented team forward. This is a time of unprecedented change in the aerospace industry
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