Andre Stein, co-founder and former CEO of Eve Air Mobility, and Jeff Hurford, former Cirrus and Gulfstream executive, have joined Eviation Aircraft Inc., the manufacturer of all-electric aircraft under development in Arlington, Washington, north of Seattle.
Stein has been appointed as CEO and Hurford named chief financial officer for the groundbreaking company.
Eviation’s Alice, named for the character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, is a nine-passenger aircraft and the only flight-proven all-electric commuter of its size. Alice is a clean-sheet design that produces zero-carbon emissions with lower operating costs per flight hour than light jets and turboprops already in use. The Alice proof-of-concept design is powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units developed by magniX, a global industry manufacturer of flight-proven electric propulsion systems.
Alice has been gaining international attention since its first flight in September 2022. In December 2022, just three months after the first flight, Eviation signed a letter of intent with Air New Zealand to deliver 23 of the electric aircraft. One month later, Mexican regional carrier Aerus signed a letter of intent to purchase 30 of the commuters based on Alice.
Per Eviation, orders for Alice now exceed $5 billion.
“I have long admired the Alice—it’s a beautiful and innovative aircraft that is leading the way in all-electric flight,” said Stein. “Eviation’s mission to revolutionize aerospace couldn’t be more important or more urgent, and I am honored to be joining the team.”
Stein said he is looking forward to working with Eviation’s team to take Alice through the next phases of its development and bring it to market as an example of sustainable and convenient commuter air travel.
“Eviation’s mission to revolutionize aerospace couldn’t be more important or more urgent, and I am honored to be joining the team,” Stein said.
Stein spent 25 years at Embraer, co-founding Eve Air Mobility and serving as Eve’s CEO.
Eviation said Stein is a “seasoned leader with a proven track record in product development,” as he led the Embraer E2 product and market strategy from definition to certification. Stein also led the company’s industrialization strategy, which included developing partnerships, sales, and raising capital, including Eve’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
Hurford comes to Eviation from Cirrus Aircraft, where he was platform director of the SR1X program. His career in the aerospace industry has included senior financial and program management roles, including 19 years at Gulfstream Aerospace. Eviation noted he brings extensive experience in’ “leading financial and commercial oversight of aircraft development programs and product delivery.”
“Eviation is entering an exciting period in its history,” said Hurford. “As we move ever closer toward certification and industrialization of the Alice, I am thrilled to join Andre and the team to lead the aerospace industry’s transition to sustainability.”
According to Eviation, Alice has a projected range of 250 nm and a maximum operating speed of 260 knots. Designed for regional travel, Alice has a payload of 2,500 pounds.
The interior of the aircraft can be configured for commuter, executive, or cargo, depending on the customer’s wishes.
