WOOD DALE, Ill., Aug. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerospace and
defense contractor AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aircraft
maintenance and supply chain solutions worldwide, announces the
appointment of AAR Vice President Cheryle
Robinson Jackson as its first President, AAR Africa.
Jackson, who has served as AAR's Vice President of Government
Affairs and Corporate Development since she joined the company in
2010, more recently added business development to her
responsibilities and has been successful in growing AAR's business
in Africa. She spent much of the
last two years traveling between the U.S. and Africa to solidify AAR's foothold in the
continent and building on the company's first power-by-the-hour
(PBH) component inventory management and repair services contract
with Kenya Airways fleet of 737NGs, aided by the U.S. Commerce
Department's Doing Business in Africa initiative. More recent deals include a
PBH contract with fastjet, the award-winning, Africa-based low-cost airline, illustrating
the global reach of AAR's supply chain solutions.
"Six of the 13 fastest-growing economies in the world are in
Africa, and improving travel
routes and transportation infrastructure is crucial to that
expansion. Given that Africa is
one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, it
provides a tremendous business opportunity for AAR," said
David P. Storch, Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of AAR and one of 15 executives on the
U.S. President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. "AAR is excited about the growth
prospects in this region and appointed Cheryle to lead our efforts,
given her proven ability to open new markets, success working with
governments, and her commitment to doing business in Africa."
The work of Jackson and her team will include conducting
in-depth market analysis, identifying new business opportunities
and strategic industry and business partners, and cultivating
strong relationships to bridge the cultural gap and align industry
goals with local economic revitalization objectives.
As Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate
Development at AAR, Jackson has been responsible for developing
strategies to drive AAR's growth, as well as government relations,
strategic partnerships and alliances, and communications
activities. In 2012, Jackson became the first African American
woman elected to the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board
of Governors. The AIA is regarded as the most authoritative and
influential advocate for U.S. aerospace and defense manufacturers
around public policy and homeland security issues to increase its
members' global competitiveness. Jackson previously served as
President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, an economic
empowerment organization, and was a candidate for President Obama's
once-vacant U.S. Senate seat in 2008.
"Throughout my career, I have built bridges to connect people
and organizations to the resources they require to reach the next
level of success," Jackson said. "I am excited about the potential
of Africa's aviation sector and
the opportunity for AAR to tap into it. Aviation is a growing and
powerful economic driver in Africa, and today, the sky's the limit.
Gaining the experience of an award-winning aviation aftermarket
services provider like AAR would give Africa's aircraft operators a competitive
advantage, benefitting not only their bottom line but their
employees and the communities they live in. I'm proud to work for a
company with more than 60 years of experience that recognizes the
importance of being a good partner to the industry, as well as to
the communities we serve."
A key member of Jackson's team is newly hired in-country
Director Donnadelliah Maluleke, a native-born South African based
in Johannesburg, who will oversee
day-to-day operations of AAR Africa. Maluleke will be responsible
for government relations and business development for both
commercial and government customers and report to Jackson.
About Maluleke Jackson says she is excited to have as her "boots
on the ground" a woman with the superior knowledge and skill set to
get the job done. Maluleke has extensive experience in both the
public and private sectors, previously working as the Economic
Attaché for South Africa in the
U.S.
About AAR
AAR is a global aftermarket solutions company that employs more
than 4,500 people in over 20 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR supports commercial
aviation and government customers through two operating segments:
Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR's Aviation
Services include inventory management; parts supply; OEM parts
distribution; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; and
component repair. AAR's Expeditionary Services include airlift
operations; mobility systems; and command and control centers in
support of military and humanitarian missions. More information can
be found at www.aarcorp.com.
This press release contains certain statements relating to
future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company
management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on
information currently available to the Company, and are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from historical results or those anticipated,
including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk
Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended May 31, 2016. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or
should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual
results may vary materially from those described. These
events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict
accurately and many are beyond the Company's control. The
Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or
unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments
included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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SOURCE AAR