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New Mooney International CEO

Aerospace Exec Vivek Saxena takes over

Vivek Saxena, an aerospace executive who spent most of his career at Pratt & Whitney, has been named president and CEO of Mooney International, the Texas company announced.
Vivek Saxena has been named president and CEO of Mooney International, Inc. Courtesy photo.
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Vivek Saxena has been named president and CEO of Mooney International, Inc. Courtesy photo.

Saxena has been an aerospace consultant since 2014. Before that, he spent 16 years at Pratt & Whitney in a variety of management roles. He has a doctorate from Cambridge University, has a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology.

He replaces Jerry Chen, who brought the legendary aircraft manufacturer out of its self-imposed “hibernation,” restarted M20 production in Kerrville, and began FAA certification of a new line of diesel-powered, composite M10 aircraft in Chino, California.

“We now have the critical components of success in place,” Saxena said in a written statement. “A compelling brand, a world-class team, strong investor commitment, and a new product pipeline. These are amazing times at Mooney—and I’m proud to say there are even greater things to come.”

A Mooney spokesman described the leadership change as a “planned transition,” and said Chen will stay on as a special advisor.

Mooney is in the final stages of certifying its Acclaim and Ovation “Ultra” models that include left-side doors and a keypad data entry system for its G1000 avionics suite. Flight testing of the first M10 is underway at the company’s California research and development facility.

Dave Hirschman
Dave Hirschman
AOPA Pilot Editor at Large
AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman joined AOPA in 2008. He has an airline transport pilot certificate and instrument and multiengine flight instructor certificates. Dave flies vintage, historical, and Experimental airplanes and specializes in tailwheel and aerobatic instruction.

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