Executive Leadership
Dr. Ahmed Metwalli
President & Chief Operating Officer
Jim Howell
Chief Financial Officer & Vice President – Finance
Andy Trosper
Vice President- Sales & Marketing
Josh Krotec
Vice President – Strategic Planning & Business Development
Bobbie Espitia
Vice President – Materials Management
Denis Boucher
Vice President & General Manager – API Canada
Kevin Yang
Vice President & General Manager – API Asia Pacific
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Biographies
Ahmed M. Metwalli, Ph.D.
President & Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Ahmed M. Metwalli joined Aerospace Products International, Inc. (API) as President and Chief Operating Officer in June 2007. He brings with him more than thirty years of significant experience in the aerospace services and aviation distribution business.
Prior to June 2007, Dr. Metwalli was Vice President of Business Development and Distribution at Kellstrom Industries. He joined Kellstrom in 2003 as Vice President of Sales and Customer Support to restructure, revitalize and turn around the organization and grow its business base.
Dr. Metwalli began his aviation career with Lockheed Corporation in 1973 when he joined Lockheed Aircraft International, A.G. as the Training Manager. His positions during his tenure at Lockheed include Director of Research and Analysis, Director of Business Development, Director of Strategic and Business Planning, Director of Division Development and Planning, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Communication, and finally Vice President and General Manager of International Operations. He was responsible for the management of Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Centers International business operations, wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures.
Dr. Metwalli earned his Ph.D from the State University of New York at Albany and a Master’s degree in Executive Management form the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management of the Claremont Graduate University. He is also a graduate of the Lockheed Senior Management Institute. Dr. Metwalli served as Professor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, until 1982.
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Jim Howell
Chief Financial Officer & Vice President – Finance
Jim Howell joined API in October 2007 as Chief Financial Officer.
Prior to joining API, he was a consultant with Pinnacle Airlines. From 1999 to 2006, Jim was Senior VP of Finance and CFO for Third Party Solutions, the nation’s largest processor of Pharmacy Workers’ Compensation claims. From 1997 to 1999, Jim served as CFO for I. Appel Corporation, a manufacturer of women’s intimate apparel. From 1992 to 1996 Jim was a partner with the international accounting firm of BDO Seidman, LLP. Jim began his career with the international accounting firm of Pannell Kerr Forster and rose from a staff accountant to be the managing partner of the Memphis office.
Jim is a Certified Public Accountant and maintains an active license in the State of Tennessee.
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Josh Krotec
Vice President – Strategic Planning & Business Development
Josh Krotec leads API’s and First Aviation Services’ corporate strategy and business development efforts. Josh is responsible for coordinating marketing and sales efforts for long-term supply chain management and MRO programs amongst all three First Aviation companies – API, Aerospace Turbine Rotables and Piedmont Propulsion Systems. Josh also directs corporate development efforts including mergers, acquisitions and alliances. Josh joined API in 2003; from that time through 2009, Josh also ran the Supply Chain Programs business unit within API.
Prior to joining API, Josh served as an analyst with First Equity Development, Inc. in Westport, CT. At First Equity, a boutique M&A advisory firm serving the aviation industry, Josh’s responsibilities included assisting with the execution of transactions, valuation and financial analysis, market research, and project development.
Josh graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors, Dean’s List, Director’s List, Joseph Wharton Scholar, Benjamin Franklin Scholar and Nelson Foundation Scholar recognition from the University of Pennsylvania. Josh holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Strategic Management and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Accounting from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, Josh holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering (Logistics) with a minor in Mathematics from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Josh also worked as a research assistant in the Department of Finance at The Wharton School where his research led to numerous publications in the field of investment management and trading.
Josh is an instrument-rated private pilot and a native of Philadelphia, PA.
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Bobbie Espitia
Vice President – Materials Management
Bobbie oversees all functions of API's materials management department, including inventory planning, vendor management, and procurement. Bobbie joined API in 2001 and has held several positions in API's Finance department, including her most recent position of VP of Finance - Controller.
Bobbie has 14 years of distribution experience. In addition to aviation, she’s worked in the automotive aftermarket and household appliance industries. Prior to joining API, she served at APS, Inc. and Whirlpool/Kitchenaid. She also spent two years as a freelance manufacturing and cost accounting consultant for several large corporations.
Bobbie graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in accounting/business management. She is a member of Beta Alpha Psi (an honorary accounting society) and the American Management Association.
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Denis Boucher
Vice President and General Manager – API Canada
Denis Boucher is primarily responsible for managing API's operation in Canada, which includes a branch in Montreal, Quebec and a sales office in Calgary, Alberta.
Denis has 24 years of experience in aviation distribution sales and management. Prior to joining API, Denis served as the Canadian regional manager for AAR, an aviation support company. Denis was in charge of developing market strategies in Canada. His duties also included managing the operation of multiple branches.
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Kevin Yang
Vice President & General Manager – API Asia Pacific
Kevin Yang has over 15 years of experience in international business development, the establishment and operation of wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, sales and marketing in the Asia Pacific region, and strategic planning.
Prior to joining API, Kevin held the position of Director of Marketing with EADS North America Test and Services division which provides automated test systems, instrumentations, and electronic solutions to both the commercial and defense industries. Before EADS, he was the Director of Global Business Development with Emerson Process Management - Analytical Group where he built and managed the Business Solution Organization in Manila, Philippines, and developed business metrics and processes that promoted revenue growth and enhanced profitability.
Before moving to Emerson, Kevin was the Managing Director of the China subsidiary and Director of International Sales for the Newport Corporation. He established and managed Newport Opto-Electronics in Shanghai, managed the company’s subsidiary in Taiwan, and was also responsible for directing Newport’s international sales teams. Between 1984 and 2000, Kevin held engineering, international sales management, and marketing management positions with KLA-Tencor Corporation and KPower Science Corporation.
Kevin holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, (CalPoly), Pomona.
Kevin is a multi-engine instrument-rated pilot, and holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot license. For nine years Kevin was the owner/operator of Piper and Beech aircraft.
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