Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has appointed Dan Nale to the position of senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, effective April 1. He succeeds Pres Henne, who will retire March 31.
In his new position, Nale will oversee the company’s engineering, flight operations and program management organizations, as well as aircraft development, reporting to Gulfstream president Larry Flynn.
Most recently, Nale served as vice president, advanced aircraft programs, where he was responsible for overseeing the development of next-generation Gulfstream aircraft. Prior to that, he was vice president for engineering, responsible for several design- and engineering-related organizations, including structures, GV propulsion, auxiliary power unit, fuel systems, environmental control and pressurization systems.
As vice president, mid-cabin programs, a position he took over in March 2003, he was responsible for managing the Gulfstream G100, G150, G200 and G280 programs.
Before joining Gulfstream, Nale worked as a stress engineer on the space shuttle wing program for Grumman Aerospace Corp.
“Dan started his Gulfstream career in 1985 as a structural analysis engineer and has held increasingly responsible engineering positions within the company over the past 28 years,” said Flynn. “I have complete confidence in Dan’s ability to lead the vast team of 1,675 engineers, scientists and designers who are responsible for the industry-leading research and development undertaken at Gulfstream.”
Nale, a Georgia-registered professional engineer, holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Citadel in Charleston, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and an MBA from Mercer University in Macon. He also holds a single-engine private pilot license.
Career spanning four decades
Henne, who turned 65 last year, joined Gulfstream in 1994. He is credited with leading the teams responsible for the design, development, test and certification of the Gulfstream V and G550 aircraft, which earned Robert J. Collier trophies from the National Aeronautics Association in 1997 and 2003, respectively. The trophy is awarded annually for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in North America.
Most recently, Henne oversaw the development of the company’s much-anticipated new flagship, the G650, which entered service in 2012. Henne also supervised the design and development of the G280, an aircraft that has been noted for its best-in-class performance, cabin comfort and technology.
Flynn said Gulfstream has launched six new products and a number of industry leading enhancements over the past 15 years and the accomplishments are due, in part, to Henne’s leadership, innovation and knowledge of the aerospace industry.
“His retirement is well-deserved,” Flynn said.
Henne earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1969 and a master’s degree in engineering from California State University at Long Beach in 1974. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
His awards include the AIAA 1996 Engineer of the Year Award, the AIAA 2001 Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management, the 2005 University of Illinois Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, the AIAA 2012 Reed Aeronautics Award, a 2012 Aviation Week Laureate Award and a 2012 Living Legend of Aviation Award from the Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing educating and sparking children’s interest in aviation.
“It’s amazing how 44 years in the aircraft design and development business have flown by,” Henne said.