Most Recently With Cirrus Aircraft

Aero-News has learned John M. Bingham was recently named executive vice-president, marketing and sales of Piaggio America Inc., the US subsidiary of Italian aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aero Industries, S.p.A.

Piaggio America is responsible for distribution of the company's Piaggio Avanti II business aircraft in the Americas.

Bingham, whose career spans the high end luxury automobile industry, where he served as vice-president of Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars, Inc., and most recently in general aviation as executive vice-president, sales and marketing for Cirrus Design, with the added worldwide role of managing director of Cirrus International.

In Bingham's time at Cirrus, the brand's sales grew from 270 aircraft per year to a consistent 700+ aircraft annually. In order to develop further international brand awareness and success for the company, Cirrus International was created in 2007 which, under Bingham's direction and management, saw Cirrus' international business grow from five percent of total company sales to 40 percent in 2008.

Tom Appleton, president & CEO of Piaggio America, Inc., welcomed Bingham. "John is highly regarded in the aircraft industry, and will bring his considerable strengths to Piaggio America," he said.

Bingham is now responsible for the marketing and sales of Piaggio aircraft products in North and South America, including the Caribbean.

Alberto Galassi, chief executive officer of the Piaggio Aero Group, said, "In the P-180 Avanti II, Piaggio has a unique product requiring unique innovations in marketing and sales. John brings the talent and determination our programs demand in the important US and International markets."

Piaggio has delivered 175 Avanti aircraft worldwide. Unique to the industry, the Avanti II employs three lifting surfaces to combine turbofan performance with turboprop efficiency.

FMI: www.piaggioaero.com