MD Helicopters LLC of Mesa, Arizona, announced it has new ownership and leadership after an investment consortium led by MBIA Insurance Corp., Bardin Hill, and MB Global Partners acquired the company.
Brad Pedersen will lead the team as MD Helicopters’ President and CEO. He brings more than 35 years of aerospace experience in leadership positions at Boeing Rotorcraft, Sikorsky Aircraft, Breeze-Eastern, and other aerospace and defense companies. Pedersen started his career at Hughes Helicopters and has almost 20 years of engineering and leadership experience with the MD Helicopter product lines.
“MD Helicopters has been an iconic name in the rotorcraft industry, and we will build on this rich heritage to serve and support our customers worldwide,” said Pedersen. “Our immediate focus is to dramatically improve customer support, foster strong supplier relationships, and implement an aggressive aircraft sales plan.”
Pedersen will be supported by a reconfigured Board of Directors, including:
Edward Dolanski, Chairman of the Board: Dolanski’s experience includes President, Boeing Government Services, President & CEO Aviall (a Boeing company), and Vice President, Raytheon Aircraft Company (Hawker Beechcraft Customer Support / Aftermarket).
GEN (ret.) Gustave Perna, Board Member (chair, governance & compliance committee): Perna served as Chief Operating Officer for Operation Warp Speed, in which he co-led the partnership of government, academia, and industry to successfully accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics for the Nation. As Commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), one of the Army’s largest commands with over 190,000 military, civilian and contractor employees, he was responsible for installations, logistics, sustainment, and materiel readiness around the world.
Paul “Flip” Huffard, Board Member (chair, audit committee): Huffard is a 30 year plus restructuring veteran with extensive financial management experience including as Senior Managing Director at Blackstone’s Restructuring and Reorganization Group.
Anthony McKiernan, Board Member: Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of MBIA Insurance Corp.
Daniel Avitabile, Board Member: President and Chief Risk Officer of MBIA Corp.
John Greene, Board Member: Partner and Portfolio Manager at Bardin Hill Investment Partners.
