Arnaud Mestrallet
End to End Architect of Digital and Connected platforms
Airbus
Co-Chair of Architecture and Interoperability Working Group
Arnaud Mestrallet is the End to End architect of Digital and Connected platforms in the Airbus Connectivity House organization. with an international experience in A/C and systems and Services, in supplier management, in interaction with Airlines. Arnaud is involved in the High Bandwidth platform connectivity platform development serving in particular passenger experience use cases.
He has several Engineering, Chief Engineering and Programme management roles with more than 20 years’ experience in avionics systems development and integration including communication servers, Satcom on various civil and military Airbus aircraft.
During several years Arnaud has been in direct contact with the airlines for the deployment of the digital solutions based on cellular, ACARS, Satcom connectivity platforms
He holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunication and Computer Science Engineering from IMT (Institut Mines and Telecom) in France.
Bryan Wiltse
Cabin Systems – Feature Strategy
The Boeing Company
Co-Chair of Architecture and Interoperability Expert Working Group
Bryan is responsible for evaluating and introducing new passenger connectivity and in-flight entertainment (IFE) technology onto Boeing production airplanes. He builds, maintains, and promotes the strategy involving passenger connectivity and IFE and develops and maintains the working relationships with suppliers in the market.
Bryan has 30+ years of experience with Boeing with the vast majority of the years in Cabin Systems. He has designed, installed, and tested IFE systems on multiple Boeing production models. He has worked with airline customers in defining systems and solutions to support their customer use cases around passenger connectivity and IFE. He has held and supported positions in the airplane program business management office and supply chain organization.
Bryan holds a Bachelor’s of Electrical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma as well as certificates in project management.
Arnaud Tonnerre
VP, Technical Director
Thales Group
Co-Chair of the Technical Forum
Arnaud Tonnerre serves as VP Technical Director for Connectivity with THALES, in Melbourne, Florida, USA, where he oversees the development of Global and Regional In-Flight Connectivity Systems and Services.
He has been leading and managing Product Development, Engineering and CTO teams with nearly 20 years’ experience in the Telecommunication field, focusing on 3G/4G/5G Mobile Networks, Military Airborne Communication Systems, as well as Aviation Air-to-Ground and Satellite-based Connectivity.
Arnaud has built an extensive experience in Aerospace and Telecommunication International Organizations such as IEEE, 3GPP, ARINC, RTCA, Eurocae, FAA, ATI and ITU with multiple leadership positions. He holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunication and Computer Science Engineering from IMT Atlantique (formerly Télécom Bretagne) in France.
Brian Kirby
Senior Technical Product Manager
Telesat
Co-Chair of the Technical Forum
Brian is responsible for leading the technical aspects relating to development, validation and customer experience of Telesat Lightspeed, with a focus on the aviation market for this exciting new LEO connectivity service. He creates the bridge between customers and Engineering, and drives the technical aspects of the aero product portfolio.
Brian’s career is extensively involved in commercial aviation and aircraft connectivity specifically. He contributed to early IPTV projects, onboard Ethernet networks, as well as initial Ku-band installations and services. He has held engineering leadership positions around the industry at an airline (Delta), airframe manufacturer (Boeing), and IFEC/avionics supplier (Panasonic), focused on developing avionics systems and the teams and standards that support them. Brian earned a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of South Carolina.
Anna Sieber
IFE&C Performance, Technical Operations
JetBlue
Chair of the Airline Forum
Anna is responsible for inflight entertainment & connectivity performance at JetBlue. Having previously worked on the development of IFE&C systems at the airline, Anna is now laser focused on monitoring and enhancing the performance/reliability of these systems across a fleet of nearly 300 aircraft. Anna holds a bachelor’s of science in technological systems management from the Stony Brook University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Yves Beaumont
Avionics Product Line Manager
Kontron
Co-Chair of the Hosted Platforms Expert Working Group
Yves Beaumont is responsible for leading the development of Kontron’s Avionics product line based out of Montreal, Canada and serves as the liaison between technical, business, and design teams. With an engineering background and 20+ years working in technology, Yves is a dedicated product leader, strategic thinker, and highly motivated by being able to find and deliver valuable hardware solutions to the IFE&C market. Yves holds a Bachelor’s of Electrical Engineering from Laval University in Quebec, Canada.
Joe Palovick
Principal Systems Engineer
Astronics CSC
Co-Chair of the Hosted Platforms Expert Working Group
Joe Palovick is a Principal Systems Engineer at Astronics CSC. Joe has successfully led numerous product development programs having wide market adoption for the aerospace connectivity market including both cabin networking and satellite connectivity systems. He has deep knowledge of the various aerospace business segments as well as the core underlying technologies involved in network and satellite communications. In his 30+ years of experience, Joe has held positions of increasing responsibility in engineering and product management roles working for companies such as Formation Inc., EMS Technologies, Honeywell Aerospace and Gogo. Joe holds a BSE from Swarthmore College and MSEE from the University of Pennsylvania and has a patent involving network security architecture for the connected aircraft.
Rami Al Wazani
System Designer
Kontron
Chair of the Modem Expert Working Group
Rami Al Wazani is a highly skilled satellite communications expert with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Communications and Electronics. With over 13 years of extensive experience in system integration for military tactical solutions, Rami has demonstrated a profound expertise in designing, managing, and deploying VSAT systems for military applications which he applies to Avionics. His work ensures reliable and secure communication in the most demanding environment.
Mark Cheyney
IFEC Strategy, Performance and Operations Manager
IAG Loyalty
Chair of the Personalization Working Group
Mark Cheyney is the IFEC Strategy, Performance and Operations Manager at IAG Loyalty and is responsible for the strategic direction, in-service performance and operations of the inflight entertainment and connectivity services onboard. Mark believes that the importance of inflight connectivity will only grow, as airlines will look to monetise this platform and provide the best connected experience for their customers.
With 10 years of IFEC experience Mark has delivered numerous IFEC programmes with Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and other IAG Group airlines and in turn worked with all the major IFEC suppliers in the industry. Over that period Mark was proud to be a major contributor in the team that won the ‘Best Inflight Entertainment Innovation’ in 2017 leading the IFC development for IAG and the LEVEL portal.
Mark Nash
Panasonic Avionics Coporation
Chair of the Standards Working Group
Mark Nash is responsible for leading the Global Roaming team both commercially & operationally for AeroMobile within Panasonic Avionics. Mark has 20+ years of success across multi-national strategic partnership development, wholesale roaming, and carrier relationships at leading telecom and wireless technology companies. Prior to joining Panasonic Avionics Mark spent 14 years at iPass first in Europe and then the last 6 years in New York primarily as the Director of roaming relationships for the Americas managing all their MNO, MVNO, Wi-Fi, HSIA & IFC relationships in the region including GoGo, Viasat, United & PAC. as well as strategic Wi-Fi relationships including AT&T, Boingo, Xfinity, Telmex & Claro.
Mark is passionate about driving the adoption of IFC and working to create compelling wholesale solutions that allow roaming partners to launch attractive retail propositions. Mark is an existing member of the GSMA and an active participant in the WAS (Wholesale & Solutions Group) and The WAGREE group (Wholesale Agreements Group).
Thomas Locke
Chief Technical Officer
Global Reach Technology
Chair of the Networking and Laboratory Group
Thomas Locke is currently Chief Technology Officer of GlobalReach Technology Inc. and is a veteran of the Wi-Fi industry. Within his role as CTO, Thomas is leading technology and innovation across multiple teams that are based in the UK and Ireland. Thomas specializes in the design & delivery of software defined products and solutions that cater to the aviation, maritime, retail and hospitality industries which are serviced by a plethora of forms of telecommunications, such as fibre, satellite, cellular and point-to-point Wi-Fi.
Thomas is an active member of both the Wireless Broadband Alliance and the Seamless Air Alliance, where he is currently Chair of the Networking and Laboratory group.
Lynette Simmons
Director, Marketing and Communication
Telesat
Chair of Marketing Working Group
Lynette Simmons is an accomplished marketing executive with 20+ years of experience in dynamic, global satellite and telecom organizations. She joined Telesat in 2019 to lead worldwide marketing and communications, including brand development, go-to-market strategies and demand generation. Prior to Telesat, Lynette was the Director of Marketing at Intelsat for eleven years.
Lynette holds a Masters of Business Administration specializing in marketing from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Science in advertising from the University of Texas at Austin.
