CONTINENTAL AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES - Key Persons
David Yu (Yu Xiaodong) is currently the Executive Vice President and Managing Director, APAC, of Continental Aerospace Technologies.
David joined Continental in 2016 as the EVP where he oversaw customers and operations in the APAC market. With over 20 years of aviation industry experience, David brings insight into emerging markets and industry trends. Prior to joining Continental, David worked in various roles including marketing and sales, mergers and acquisitions, human resources, and internal controls.
David holds a Master's degree in economics from the University of International Business and Economics, China. He also holds a lawyer's certificate of PRC.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of Global Research & Development
David Dörner is currently the Vice President of Global Research & Development. Leading Continental's product innovation, David is responsible for the global engineering team. He also serves as Head of the Continental German design organization which is Continental's frontline and representation to EASA for development and airworthiness.
David joined Continental in 2014 as a test and application engineer. While at Continental, he has successfully led the Global Continental R&D team for both Diesel and Avgas engine developments. His knowledge and experience are well recognized by Continental, our customers, and others in the industry. In addition, he brings over 10 years of automotive and aviation industry engineering experience to Continental.
David earned his doctorate degree in 2015 from University in Dresden and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering specializing in internal combustion engines.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Karen Hong is the Chief Executive Officer and President for Continental Aerospace Technologies.
Karen served as the Global Chief Financial Officer for Continental since 2019 and brings 25+ years of experience in Finance, Accounting, Strategic Planning, Team Development, and world-class Manufacturing experience to the organization. During her time with Continental, she has managed the Finance, Accounting, and IT teams and played a significant role in Continental's public listing. Before joining Continental, Karen held multiple executive positions in FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).
Karen has a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Detroit and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Global Sales
Oliver Leber is currently the Vice President of Global Sales & Applications Engineering.
In 2015, Oliver joined Continental to oversee Continental's global OEM footprint in all product segments. During his time at Continental, he has been responsible for developing and executing global OEM sales and marketing strategies to contribute to Continental's growth, as well as the company's overall product and business strategic development.
Oliver brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 20 years of professional General Aviation experience to Continental. He developed experiences in various areas of the general aviation engines industry, including product development engineering, flight test, manufacturing, quality, project management, certification, global sales, and business development. In his career, Oliver was responsible for or led teams to develop, certify and bring new piston aircraft engines and engine technologies to the market and developed strong relationships with OEM aircraft manufacturers around the world. Through his leadership, he successfully grew Continental's global footprint by winning new aircraft applications.
Oliver completed his primary education, basic training in the Swiss Army, and earned a commercial apprenticeship diploma in Switzerland. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Oliver is also a certified Six Sigma/Continuous Improvement Black Belt. Oliver is an active pilot who has been flying airplanes for 30 years and holds a commercial pilots license with instrument rating, qualified to fly single and multi-engine aircraft, including seaplanes. He is currently pursuing his ATP certificate.
Richard Pennington is currently the Vice President of North American Operations. Richard joined Continental in September 2009 and has held various roles of increasing responsibility in leadership, Materials Management, Distribution Operations, and Change Management. During Richard's time at Continental, he has supported multiple contract negotiations, changes in distribution methods, the design and implementation of the transition to Continental's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, and the implementation of the Team Concept to support empowerment and ownership of processes by Team Members.
Richard's passion and goals are Team building and Continuous Improvement, which includes supporting and providing opportunities for development and growth for Team Members. As the VP of Operations, Richard believes in driving daily Continuous Improvement activities in order to deliver value to customers and the organization through safety, quality, and delivery while driving common goals and organizational alignment.
Before joining Continental, Richard worked at Mercedes Benz U.S. International in various roles supporting Operations, Continuous Improvement, and Project Team in the implementation of green field assembly plant, 3PL, and MRP launch. While at Mercedes, he attended Dale Carnegie Leadership Training and was trained in Mercedes Production/Lean Manufacturing methodologies that he applies to his practices at Continental.
Richard served five years in the U.S. Army. He studied Business Management at North West Alabama Junior College and the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- General Counsel
Stephen R. Ginger is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Continental Aerospace Technologies, where he has been the company's in-house counsel since 2003.
He was admitted to the bar in 1982 and served as a law clerk to federal district judge Albert Lee Stephens, Jr. until 1984 when he joined Condon & Forsyth, a national aviation law firm. Steve practiced law at Condon & Forsyth as an associate attorney and eventually as a partner specializing in products liability, aviation insurance, and mass disaster litigation. Steve is the author/co-author of several law review articles dealing with aviation and commercial law subjects, most notably his article on the General Aviation Revitalization Act published in the Annals of Air and Space Law at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Steve received his Juris Doctorate from Southwestern School of Law and a B.A. in English at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- Managing Director
- Head of Business
Thomas Wünsch is currently the Managing Director and Executive Vice President, EMEA, of Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH in Germany. In this role, Thomas is responsible for oversight of all sites located in Germany.
Thomas joined the leadership team at Continental GmbH in 2019 as a Managing Director. Responsible for Operations, Thomas implemented several Lean Tools and drove cost improvement programs. In 2021, Thomas took over full responsibility for Continental's German business as the Vice President EMEA. Under his leadership, Continental GmbH has achieved the best business result in the company's history.
Before joining Continental, Thomas worked at Siemens Transformers and ThyssenKrupp Camshafts Chemnitz where he learned the importance of instilling quality in his work. Thomas has more than 19 years of automotive and aviation industry experience in operations, manufacturing, new technology implementation, quality and environmental management, logistics, and distribution.
Thomas has a German Dipl. Ing. Maschinenbau (FH) Mechanical Engineering from University of Applied Sciences Zwickau. He is also a certified EASA Part 21G & 145 Accountable Manager, certified EASA Part 21G Head of Production Organization, Six Sigma Black Belt, and Internal Auditor ISO-TS16949.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Thomas Yang(Yang Yifeng) is currently the Board Secretary and Director of Internal Control Management, of Continental Aerospace Technologies.
Thomas joined Continental in 2016. Prior to joining Continental, he had 12-year experience in the aviation industry, served as Head of HR for Airbus China Assembly line, and Supply Chain Director of AVICADE under the AVIC Group.
Thomas holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and technologies from Beijing University of Aeronautic and Astronautics. He also holds a Professional Human Resource Certificate of PRC, and International Project Management Professional Certificate.