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Spirit AeroSystems announced a number of leadership changes Thursday, including the addition of Bombardier Learjet vice president and general manager David Coleal.
The organizational changes will help align leadership with the needs of the business, the company said.
Coleal joins Spirit as senior vice president and general manager of the company's fuselage segment. There, he will be responsible for its fuselage structures and components. That segment brought in $2 billion in revenue in 2010.
Coleal will begin in the coming weeks.
"I am very pleased to welcome David to the Spirit AeroSystems team," Spirit CEO Jeff Turner said in a statement. "He brings a strategic focus, as well as in-depth knowledge and experience in the industry.
Coleal began his aviation career in 2001 at Cirrus Design Corp., where he served as vice president of operations, president and chief operating officer. He also has worked with Toyota, GM, Caterpillar and McKinsey and Co.
Bombardier selected Ralph Acs, 45, to replace Coleal at Learjet. Acs also will retain his current position as vice president and general manager for the Learjet 85 program.
His leadership team will be announced in the coming days, said Bombardier spokeswoman Danielle Boudreau.
Acs started his career at Rolls Royce Aircraft Engines. He joined Bombardier in 1988 and has had increased responsibility for new product development, including development of the 415 Waterbomber, Global Express, Challenger 300 and CSeries aircraft.
He has had significant experience on implementing lean practices and with sales processes, Boudreau said.
Acs, who currently is based in Montreal, is looking forward to getting involved in the Wichita community, Boudreau said.
"We're sorry to see David go, but we're happy he's staying with the industry and also happy he'll be in Wichita," she said. "We do think he's good for the Wichita community as well as speaking on behalf of aviation and the community."
Other changes announced at Spirit:
* Buck Buchanan, Spirit chief operating officer, will transition to senior vice president of advanced projects, with a focus on a number of strategic initiatives.
* Mike King, who heads the fuselage segment, will assume the role of senior vice president and chief operations officer.
* John Pilla, vice president and general manager of the propulsion business segment, also will assume responsibility for the aftermarket customer service organization.
* Alex Kummant, senior vice president of corporate strategy and planning, will serve as senior vice president of Oklahoma operations.
* John Lewelling, senior vice president and general manager of the aerostructures segment, will serve as senior vice president of corporate strategy.
