Bell Rings In New Boss

On 11 April 2023, Textron Inc.—the Rhode Island-based parent company of Beechcraft, Cessna, Hawker (formerly), Bell Helicopter, Pipistrel, Lycoming Engines, Arctic Cat Snowmobiles, Jacobsen, Kautex, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems—announced that Lisa Atherton has been named president and CEO of the company’s Bell subsidiary, effective 28 April 2023.

Formerly Bell’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Atherton will assume the company’s presidency from Mitch Snyder, whose upcoming retirement occasions the conclusion of his distinguished twenty-year career with Bell and successful seven-year stint as the company’s president and CEO.

Atherton served as president and CEO of Textron Systems from 2017 until her January 2023 appointment to the station of Bell COO. She joined Textron Defense Systems in 2007 and, in 2013, transitioned to Bell, where she held a number of leadership positions within the company’s Military Programs division, including executive vice president of Military Business. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Atherton served eight years at the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command’s Directorate of Requirements.

Speaking to the subject of Atherton’s ascension, Textron chairman and CEO Scott C. Donnelly remarked: “Lisa has done an outstanding job of building strong teams at Bell and Textron Systems in her 16 years with the company and has earned the confidence of our customers. Under her leadership, Bell will continue its strong execution across military and commercial programs and I am confident that she will provide the strategic vision to generate future growth for Bell.”

Mr. Donnelly added: “I also want to thank Mitch for his leadership. During his tenure, Mitch oversaw the development of new technologies and product innovations, significant wins in Bell’s military business, and the expansion of our commercial programs.”

FMI: www.bellflight.com