Western Aircraft announced it has hired two individuals to fulfill key roles within its management team.
John Kochel has been hired as the director of Parts and Logistics business unit for Western Aircraft. Kochel began his career with GKN in the International Leadership Development Program and assumed various leadership roles including program manager for HondaJet, business development for GKN Transparency Systems, and general manager of the Transparency Aftermarket Services business unit in Garden Grove, California. Most recently, he managed the western territory for GlobalParts.aero. He is a graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in English and Business. Additionally, he completed the UCLA Financial Leadership Program.
With its recent expansion announcement, Western Aircraft continues to establish its team for its ever-growing Gulfstream services with Russell Crouch being selected as its new Gulfstream service manager. Having served in the Army as an aircraft m
echanic, Crouch furthered his aerospace career with Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, Georgia. During his more than 25 years with the company, he served in a variety of roles there including mechanic, crew chief, crew lead, mechanical team lead, operations manager, service team manager, senior internal sales manager and most recently as senior PS sales program analyst. He is airframe and powerplant licensed and is currently approaching the completion of a bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.