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Leadership

Leadership
  • Robert (Bob) Kanaskie

    President

    Bob Kanaskie has more than 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry. He is well-respected for his knowledge of, and delivery of, business results in aerospace metallics, composites, and lean manufacturing. Two of Kanaskie’s previous management responsibilities were with GE and Goodrich.

  • James (Tripp) Porterfield

    Vice President of Finance

    Tripp Porterfield joined Kaman in 2005 from GE Aircraft Engines and has more than 10 years of financial experience in the aerospace industry. Porterfield has extensive background in both government and commercial contracting with specific emphasis on obtaining desired results utilizing the highest standards of financial and accounting practices.

  • James (Jim) Melvin

    Vice President Sales and Marketing

    Jim Melvin joined Kaman after previous employment with GE Aircraft Engines, Unison Industries, Texas Instruments, EG&G Sealol, and the U.S. Navy. Most of Melvin’s nearly 25-year aerospace career has been in the sales, marketing and business development fields. He was also a general manager for an aerospace composites business.

  • Bruce Dailey

    Director of Contracts, Engineering, and Cost Estimating

    Bruce Dailey has been with Kaman for twenty-four years. He has B.S. degree in engineering from the University of Central Missouri. He also has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Juris Doctorate from Quinnipiac University School of Law. Dailey is responsible for all technical aspects associated with the Engineering department, including design and analysis. Additionally, he is responsible for contract drafting and management, legal requirements, and compliance to customer specifications, including change control and implementation.

  • Mark Brown

    Director of Quality

    Mark Brown previously served in various quality management positions with Braddock Metallurgical, Suncoast Heat Treat, Crestview Aerospace, and Morton Thiokol. He is very experienced in quality systems, special processes, quality management, internal and external auditing, and aerospace quality standards.  Brown is responsible for Quality Assurance at all Kaman Aerostructures operations.

  • Steve Roberts

    Director of Supply Chain

    Steve Roberts is responsible for all SCM functions related to Kaman Aerostructures operations in Jacksonville, Florida, and Chihuahua, Mexico.  Roberts joined Kaman from Triumph Aerostructures – Vought Aircraft Division located in Dallas, Texas, where he was Director of Supplier Development. He has held various SCM positions throughout his extensive career, including positions with Northrop Grumman and McDonnell Douglas (Long Beach).

  • Maria Lang

    Senior Manager, Human Resources

    Maria Lang is an aerospace veteran who has more than 10 years of experience with Northrop Grumman before joining Kaman Aerostructures. In total, Lang has more than 20 years of human resources experience. She manages a department at Kaman Aerostructures that administers to the human resource needs of the company and provides support to the employees. Specifically, some of her duties include the management of payroll, benefits, staffing, training, careers, compliance, and recruitment. Lang is fluent in English and Spanish.

  • John Gardine

    Strategic Program Manager

    John Gardine has more than 23 years of experience in manufacturing in various industries, including the aerospace industry. Gardine’s aerospace experience includes manufacturing engineering, operations, lean, quality, and program management. He is very experienced in plant start-ups and opening and running plants in Mexico. Gardine is currently managing the start-up and new program introduction activities of Kaman Aerostructures’ new facility in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Gardine is also leading the opening of Kaman Aerostructures’ new manufacturing building in Jacksonville, Florida. Gardine is fluent in English and Spanish.