06 Dec K&A Places Aviation Veteran as CEO of iJet
December 6, 2012 – iJet Onboard, a privately held provider of platform-based software services enabling the intelligent aircraft, today announced thirty-year aviation and technology veteran Steve Forte will join the company as its Chief Executive Officer.
“Airlines and their suppliers will benefit from almost unlimited access to data using software-based solutions developed by iJet, airlines and third-party developers.”
Forte brings deep experience to the position including tenures as CEO of Naverus, Inc., a global leader in Performance-based Navigation; General Manager of GE Aviation PBN Services; and as a senior executive with United Airlines.
“Steve has the right balance of technology entrepreneurism and traditional aviation experience. He also brings a strong track record for creating shareholder value because he understands how to operationalize and execute business strategy,” said iJet Chairman and Co-Founder William J. Marks. “His in-depth knowledge of the aviation business and extensive network of relationships inside the industry will be invaluable to our company.”
Prior to managing Naverus through a dramatic growth period and leading the round of complex negotiations resulting in their sale to GE, Forte was a senior executive at United Airlines during some of its most challenging times. With responsibility for more than 13,000 employees, 10 pilot domiciles, United’s flight training center and its headquarters staff, Forte played a critical role in leading the company through complex business events including the 9/11 tragedy and United’s financial restructuring.
As former Chairman of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operations Council and the Air Transport Association (ATA) Operations Committee, he has worked closely with global airlines, manufacturers, and regulators on a variety of industry issues. He is also an experienced pilot with 14,000 flight hours in over 50 aircraft types, and is rated on numerous Boeing and Airbus jets.
“I am delighted to become a part of the iJet team. This talented group of people has developed an innovative service-based platform that will drive operational efficiency and provide new sources of revenue for airlines,” said Forte. “Airlines and their suppliers will benefit from almost unlimited access to data using software-based solutions developed by iJet, airlines and third-party developers.”
About iJet
Seattle-based iJet Onboard has developed the aerospace sector’s first open and secure Platform as a Service (PaaS). The iJet Platform is designed to host third-party applications which provide data and systems management capabilities, enabling the industry to mine and distribute aircraft intelligence, both in the air and on the ground.