Christopher Emerson President and Head, North America Region Airbus Helicopters, Inc.
![ChristopherEmersonPIC Christopher Emerson Photo](https://www.aiaa.org/images/default-source/forums/speakers/christopheremersonpic.jpg?sfvrsn=49744fbc_2)
Chris Emerson is President of Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI), based in Grand Prairie, Texas, and head of the North America Region since June, 2015. Since 1969, AHI has been a leading provider with total revenues exceeding $800 million by supplying aircraft for military, law enforcement, air medical, utility/tour, and private aviation throughout the north american region. With its FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) and FAA Part 145 repair station, AHI designs, manufactures, and installs supplemental type certifcates (STC) for the aviation industry.
Chris was named to the Airbus Helicopters leadership position after serving as Senior Vice President, Head of Marketing at Airbus commercial in Toulouse, France. At the helm of Marketing, he was charged with demonstrating the competitive value and benefits that Airbus aircraft bring to the marketplace. He led a global team of over 200 experts specializing in aircraft performance, cabin interiors, fleet solutions, operations and maintenance, appraisals and investors, and airline operations.
Previously, Chris was Head of Airbus Future Programs & Product Strategy, a position he held from 2010 to 2013. He was responsible for establishing the Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF) and product policy for current and future aircraft programs. He also led the internal project team that established the Mobile, Alabama A320 final assembly line in 2012. In 2003, Chris was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer charged with helping the newly formed executive team establish Airbus North America (formerly EADS North America). Working closely with the executive team, he was responsible for preparing Airbus for executing U.S. Department of Defense contracts. He was also the Head of Investor Relations for North America.
Chris started his career in 1996 with Mercedes Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) in Alabama. MBUSI was a pilot project identified to establish the first offshore Mercedes-Benz plant outside of Germany. In early 2000, he joined DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) in Germany and was part of the internal team that formed – through a simultaneous IPO and merger of three national entities -- EADS (today Airbus Group). In this capacity, he was responsible for establishing the initial valuation of the joint companies and the first credit rating. Chris graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in International Finance and currently serves on the Presidents Cabinet. In 2015, Chris joined the Dallas chapter of the Young Presidents Organization, in which he is an active member. He is married and has two daughters.
January 2018 Airbus Helicopters, Inc. 2701 N. Forum Drive Grand Prairie, Texas 75052-7099 (972) 641-0000 www.airbushelicoptersinc.com
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AIAA Aviation Forum 2019