XTI Aircraft Company, developers of the tilt-rotor-like TriFan 600, this week announced Robert J. LaBelle as its chief executive officer. LaBelle joins XTI after three years as CEO of AgustaWestland Tiltrotor Company, which he joined as vice president in 2004.
“I view this position with XTI as a unique opportunity to help bring to the commercial market and business jet market a revolutionary new aircraft that people have been seeking and dreaming about for over 100 years,” LaBelle said.
Prior to his executive leadership at AgustaWestland, LaBelle managed programs for the U.S. Navy, including the E-2 Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, S-3B Viking and F/A-18.
“Bob’s decision to join XTI despite his many other opportunities further validates our TriFan program,” said XTI founder and chairman David Brody. “We’ve attracted some of the highest quality leadership and talent because we have an exceptional project and an aircraft with a potentially significant market that will change flight forever.”
XTI’s outgoing CEO, Charlie Johnson, said he couldn’t be more excited to have LaBelle step in and lead the TriFan 600 program.
“Bob is a highly respected, talented and experienced aircraft industry executive,” Johnson said.
Johnson was XTI’s interim CEO, following the death of Jeff Pino, who led XTI after a successful tenure at Sikorsky. Johnson will continue to serve as a board member for XTI — a position he’s held since 2014.
“We’re grateful to Charlie for taking over in February 2016 and leading the company after the tragic loss of Jeff Pino,” Brody said. “We’re looking forward to Charlie’s continuing contributions and guidance as a board member.”
