Jessica is Executive Editor of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine. She started as Editor of ShowNews Online, Aviation Week's on-site trade show daily published at the Paris Air Show, NBAA Annual Convention, Singapore Air Show and at other significant aerospace gatherings.
Jessica has worked in television production and management consulting. While not yet a licensed pilot, Ms. Salerno has received flight instruction and has soloed.
Metropolitan Aviation, Manassas, Va., announced that Justin Harris is the new director of safety. Tony Massinon was named the company's new director of operations.
Gilbert W. Speed, the founder of SpeedNews publications and conferences, a Penton Media business as is Business & Commercial Aviation, died Jan. 27 after a long illness. He was 81. Speed's 60-year aerospace career began with his apprenticeship at the Bristol Aeroplane Co., thence as an engineer for Eastern Airlines and later with Pan Am where he worked on specifications for the Boeing 727 and 707 Freighter, Concorde and Dassault Fanjet Falcon. He founded SpeedNews in 1979.
Airbus Corporate Jets, France, named Benoit Defforge managing director responsible for all Airbus corporate jet activity. He replaces Habib Fekih, who played a leading role in establishing the company's business aviation role. Defforge reports to John Leahy, COO-Customers, for all sales activity, and to Tom Williams, EVP Programmes, for the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre.
