New Jet Company Builds External Image With Heavy-Hitters
A finance guru:
Merrill Lynch
International Incorporated Chairman of the Board and Former Bank of
Israel Governor, Professor Jacob A. Frenkel, will
join Westport (CT)-based Avocet Aircraft, LLC, as the Chairman of
the Company's Advisory Board. Professor Frenkel will lead the
advisory board which includes, among others, Dr. Gil Amelio, the
former Chairman and CEO of Apple Computer; General Amnon
Lipkin-Shahak, the Chairman of Tahal Corporation and the former
Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces and former Minster of
Transportation; football legend Joe Montana; and venture capitalist
Isaac Applbaum.
Professor Frenkel also serves as the Chairman and CEO of the
Group of Thirty (G30). He served as the Governor of Israel's
Central Bank for two terms, between 1991 and 2000, before joining
Merrill Lynch in 2000. Prior to this, he was the Economic Counselor
and Director of Research at the International Monetary Fund. He has
also served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the
Inter-American Development Bank and as Vice Chairman of the Board
of Governors at the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development.
Professor Frenkel has had a long and distinguished academic
career, including the David Rockefeller Chair for International
Economics at the University of Chicago. He is the author of
numerous books and scientific articles on international finance and
macroeconomics and received his doctorate in economics from the
University of Chicago.
"Due to the high acquisition, maintenance and operating costs of
today's corporate jets, the benefits of private jet travel are
currently limited to a privileged few. Avocet is positioned to
change this with the Avocet ProJet," said Avocet Chief Executive
Officer David M. Tait, OBE. "We are pleased to welcome Professor
Frenkel to the Advisory Board."
Carey Robinson Wolchok, Founder and Chairman of Avocet Aircraft,
added, "As one of the most accomplished leaders in international
finance and economics, we are honored that Professor Frenkel has
joined us in our vision to introduce the ProJet as a new
alternative for business and private jet travel."
A football hero (and jet
pilot):
Avocet Aircraft LLC also announced that Joseph C.
Montana, former star quarterback for the San Francisco
49ers, has agreed to serve on the Company's Advisory Board. An avid
jet pilot and a partner at Champion Ventures, a leading venture
capital and private equity fund, Montana is also one of the launch
customers for the Avocet ProJet.
Montana, known for his legendary come-from-behind victories, led
the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl wins during his 14-year
career with the team.
"We are delighted that Joe is bringing his magic to Avocet,"
noted CEO Tait. "Aside from his legendary accomplishments on the
field, Joe has developed an impressive record in the financial
world as a partner at Champion Ventures, where the roster of
investors reads like a Who's Who of superstar athletes." Tait
continued: "Joe is also an exceptional pilot and major-league
aviation enthusiast who has flown an IAI Westwind for many
years."
Mr. Montana himself went on the record: "I've been watching all
the excitement surrounding these next-generation private jets but
most of them seem too small. What really impresses me with the
Avocet ProJet is that its cabin cross-section is larger than the
Cessna CJ1 -- but the ProJet is almost half the price. I know the
ProJet is going to change the way many of us travel and joining the
company's advisory board gives me a chance to do what I do best --
play for a winning team."
Montana was named Super Bowl MVP three times, All-NFL three times
and All-NFC five times.
Selected to eight Pro Bowls, Montana won the NFL's passing title
in both 1987 and 1989. His six 300-yard passing performances in the
post-season are another NFL record. He also owns the career playoff
records for attempts, completions, touchdowns and yards gained
passing.
...and an Astronaut:
Avocet Aircraft LLC also told
us that Joe Frank Edwards, Jr., Chairman and
CEO of the National Science Center, Commander, Navy Test Pilot and
former NASA Astronaut has joined Avocet Aircraft's Advisory Board
and will specialize in technical and government affairs.
"I'm thrilled to be working on the Avocet ProJet program,"
stated Edwards. "This area is the future of jet travel in the US
and Avocet is clearly the leader in this segment." Edwards
added: "Their relationship with IAI represents a smart
affiliation with a proven builder of world-class
aircraft.
"When we wanted help to launch this project, who better than an
astronaut?" quipped Avocet CEO David Tait. "Joe brings a body of
knowledge and experience that is incredibly strong and will be of
great help to the program. Here's a man with a 25-page resume and
not one word of fluff! We are so very pleased to have his
kind of horsepower behind the ProJet."
Edwards graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980,
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. He was
designated a Naval Aviator in February 1982; and assigned to
Fighter Squadron 143 in 1983 after completion of F-14 Tomcat
training. He flew fighter escort and reconnaissance combat missions
over Lebanon in 1983 and graduated from U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons
School (TOPGUN) in 1984. He graduated from U.S. Naval Test Pilot
School in 1986 and subsequently worked as project flight test
officer and pilot for F-14A+ and F-14D Full Scale Development.
He has flown 4000 hours in over 25 different aircraft and logged
over 650 carrier-arrested landings. His Master of Science degree in
Aviation Systems from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in
1994.
Joe was selected as an astronaut by NASA in December 1994. He
worked on technical issues for the Space Shuttle and Space Station
in the Safety Department of the Astronaut Office. He also served as
Technical Assistant to the Director, Flight Crew Operations
Directorate, NASA Director of Operations (DOR), Russia, and
Astronaut CAPCOM representative in Mission Control for Shuttle
ascent and entry. Joe piloted STS-89 (January 22-31, 1998) on what
was the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking mission, during which
the crew transferred more than 9,000 pounds of scientific
equipment, logistical hardware and water from Space Shuttle
Endeavour to Mir. In the fifth and last exchange
of a U.S. astronaut, STS-89 delivered Andy Thomas to Mir
and returned with David Wolf. Mission duration was 8 days, 19 hours
and 47 seconds, traveling 3.6 million miles in 138 orbits of the
Earth.
Among his many Special Honors are: Distinguished Flying Cross,
Defense Superior Service Medal, Air Medal, Defense Meritorious
Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal.
Daedalian Superior Airmanship Award 1992, Fighter Squadron 143
Fighter Pilot of the Year, 1984, 1985, Fighter Squadron 142 Fighter
Pilot of the Year, 1990, 1991, 1992. Carrier Airwing Seven Pilot of
the Year, 1985, 1990, 1991.
In 2002, Joe became the Chairman and CEO of the National Science
Center (NSC). The NSC is a unique partnership between a
non-profit organization (National Science Center, Inc.) and
the U.S. Army.