Air Methods Announces Tourism Division Changes, New Sundance Helicopters President Jay Francis
December 11 2014 - 4:01PM
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the global leader in air
medical transportation, today announced that Jay Francis has been
appointed as president of Sundance Helicopters. Francis will
succeed Bob Engelbrecht who is transitioning to the role of interim
president for the Tourism Division.
Prior to joining Air Methods, Francis served as managing
director of leisure, lifestyle and recreation for Saudi Oger, Ltd,
a $20 billion Middle Eastern Research University, Lifestyle, and
Luxury Community which includes sports, leisure activities,
housing, entertainment, hotels, and education. He oversaw the
development of an international executive management and support
team of the leisure operations. He has a career in senior
leadership and operations with Wyndham Hotels, as well as financial
roles with several private equity companies involved in hospitality
and tourism investment.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jay to Air Methods," said Aaron
Todd, Air Methods' chief executive officer. "He brings vast
leadership experience coupled with expertise in tourism to support
the continued growth of our Las Vegas tour operator."
In Bob Engelbrecht's new role as interim president for the
Tourism Division, he will provide leadership in the establishment
of the division including a continued focus on integrating best
practices and management infrastructure. Engelbrecht has been
the CEO of Sundance since August 2012. Prior to that, he was
with American Eurocopter (Airbus Helicopters) from 2007 to
2012. He has over 39 years of commercial helicopter experience
and started his aviation career as a helicopter pilot with the
United States Air Force.
"We are grateful for Bob's continued leadership of our tourism
business," added Mr. Todd. "Both of our tour operators - Blue
Hawaiian and Sundance - have been performing well, and we see a
great deal of opportunities to share best practices and leverage
resources across the Tourism Division."
Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is the global
leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services
Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services
in the United States. The United Rotorcraft Division specializes in
the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology.
The Tourism Division is comprised of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. and
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which provides helicopter tours and
charter flights in the Las Vegas/Grand Canyon region and Hawaii,
respectively. Air Methods' fleet of owned, leased or maintained
aircraft features over 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
Sundance Helicopters was founded in 1985 and primarily focused
on flight training for pilots and local Las Vegas Strip tours. In
1988, Sundance Helicopters initiated a Grand Canyon tour that
rapidly became the most popular helicopter tour in Las Vegas.
Today, Sundance Helicopters is the most experienced helicopter tour
company with a fleet of 25 aircraft and 16 tours to the Grand
Canyon. Its business has expanded to not only tours, but is the
partner of choice for the U.S. government to assist in military
support missions. Sundance also works with the motion picture
industry and top production companies, such as Paramount, Disney,
Warner Brothers and the E! television network.
Blue Hawaiian, which began operating in 1985, has grown into the
largest aerial tour company in Hawaii. Using a fleet of more
than 25 aircraft, based across each of the major islands, Blue
Hawaiian prides itself on providing the premier air tour experience
to over 140,000 passengers per year.
Please contact Christina to be included on the company's e-mail
distribution list.
CONTACT: Christina Brodsly, Director, Corporate Communications
(303) 256-4122
christina.brodsly@airmethods.com
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