Pro David Meisels RP: What is your current position?
I am an associate director at Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) in helicopter marketing, and my function includes program management. I’m responsible for all interactions between certain helicopter OEMs and P&WC. My role is exciting because I have a wide breadth of responsibility: everything from the tactical (deliveries, quality, etc.) to the strategic (new products, new technologies) to the relationship with my OEMs.
RP: Tell me about your first experience with helicopters.
I remember going on a trip as a kid and my parents taking us on a short ride in a helicopter. The view was amazing; the feeling of motion and the possibility to go anywhere we wanted made a strong impression on me.
RP: How did you get your start in the helicopter industry?
Pratt & Whitney is a remarkable place to work, in that we work with almost every type of aircraft. In that way, I’ve been lucky to work in many different roles in my 28 years at P&WC. I started in engineering in analysis, design, and testing engines of all types, including helicopter engines. Afterwards, it was customer support on turbofans and turboprops. Then I had the privilege of working for the president of P&WC. Most recently, I’ve been part of the team in helicopter marketing.
RP: When and how did you choose the helicopter industry? Or did it choose you?
I was always intrigued by helicopters and by marketing, and when the role opened, I jumped at the opportunity. One of the great things about P&WC is the chance to take on different roles and widen your experience. This has been a great plus for me as an employee, exploring different aspects of the company, but it’s also positive for our customers because we can cross-
12 Sep/Oct 2023
pollinate lessons learned and apply them to different areas of the business. For example, our proactive Customer First center and carbon offset services started on turbofans, and were quickly brought to turboshafts, and then across all our product lines.
RP: Where did you get your start working professionally in the industry?
I started at P&WC in 1995 fresh out of university with a bachelor’s in engineering, and then I completed my master’s in engineering as a part-time student.
RP: If you were not in the helicopter industry, what else would you see yourself doing?
I would be involved in aviation in some way. I love to share my knowledge and learn more about aviation.
RP: What do you enjoy doing on your days off?
I like cross-country skiing, sailing, and camping. They’re all great activities with my family.
RP: What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
All my roles at P&WC have been enjoyable, but the role in which I grew the most was as the executive assistant to the president of P&WC. I was responsible for P&WC’s strategic operating system, and all daily operations of the president’s office including the planning and organizing of special projects; and I was cochair of the company’s business continuity team. I had the opportunity to see our company from multiple facets, shape communications with key customers, help illustrate the global trends, and see the vision for P&WC’s future products and services.
Meet a otor
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