Company creates new special mission aircraft organization

Raytheon Aircraft Company is announcing the formation of a new organization dedicated to the satisfaction of its customers’ special mission needs worldwide.

Over the past year, Raytheon Aircraft Company has realigned itself to return its focus to the needs of its customers, in part by creating four distinct customer-focused businesses: Beechcraft, Hawker, Customer Support and Government Business. With that same motivation, Raytheon Aircraft Company is now creating a stand-alone organization to provide increased emphasis on their present and prospective Special Mission customers.

Raytheon Aircraft Company Vice President John Brauneis will lead Raytheon’s Special Mission aircraft organization with the purpose of growing Raytheon Aircraft’s business presence in this specialized market segment. He will oversee a multi-functional organization consisting of business development, engineering, program management, finance, and contracts. Reporting to Brauneis in a business development capacity will be Larry Pope, Lyn Roberts and Mark Qualls, who comprise the business development group.

“The primary focus of this organization will be to ensure we provide our Special Mission customers seamless interaction with our four distinct businesses,” said Raytheon Aircraft Company Chairman and CEO Jim Schuster. “John’s organization will have the responsibility for leading worldwide Special Mission sales efforts, from the identification of Special Mission opportunities, through development, production, and post-delivery customer support.”

“This organization will work closely with Beechcraft and Hawker, as well as other Raytheon businesses such as Raytheon’s Space & Airborne Systems unit, to provide our customers with a 'one company' solution for integrated special mission systems,” Brauneis said. “We will take every advantage of Raytheon Company’s vast experience in producing and modifying special mission aircraft, and designing and fielding special mission payloads in order to create unique solutions for customers around the world.”

Brauneis will also retain his position as VP–Contracts for Raytheon Aircraft. In this position he is responsible for the management and execution of all government and commercial contracting activities.  Sherry Grady, VP–Government Business, retains all T-6A and trainer-related activities.

Brauneis joined Raytheon Aircraft earlier this year. Previously, he had been Director of Contracts for Raytheon Missile Systems and Hughes Aircraft Company in Tucson, Ariz., and at General Dynamics’ Convair Division in San Diego, Calif. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and is a graduate of Parks College of Aeronautical Technology and St. Louis University.

FMI: www.raytheonaircraft.com