Bristow in executive changes to adapt to energy transition

Offshore helicopter operator Bristow has made changes to its executive leadership team structure to help it capitalise on new market conditions and the evolving energy transition.

Bristow said on Wednesday that it would still be led by industry veterans with a proven track record of addressing customer needs, maintaining capital discipline, protecting shareholder value, and generating free cash flow through industry cycles.

According to the company, all of the changes are effective 1 April 2021, as the company begins its new fiscal year.

Under the revised structure, David Stepanek will become the EVP of sales and chief transformation officer (CTO). In his new role, Stepanek will be responsible for all sales, marketing, and commercial functions of the business.

In addition to activities in Bristow’s existing end markets, his focus will include the transformation of Bristow’s business mix through strategic diversification into new markets. Reporting to Stepanek will be David Martin, who will become the VP of commercial and new markets.

Alan Corbett will continue to lead as the SVP of EAMEA and SAR. Reporting directly to the CEO, Corbett will remain responsible for overseeing Bristow’s operations and service delivery in Africa, Australia, Norway, and the U.K., as well as Bristow’s UK Search and Rescue operations.

Samantha Willenbacher will become the SVP for the Americas. In this role, she will be responsible for Bristow’s operations and service delivery in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, and the United States. She will also work with the company’s partner, Cougar Helicopters in Canada.

Stuart Stavley will assume an expanded role as the SVP of global fleet management, which will include the addition of supply chain management and global standards while SVP and chief financial officer Jennifer Whalen will receive the added responsibility of overseeing Bristow’s IT department. Reporting to Whalen will be Joe Pitzinger as the treasurer and the VP of corporate development.

There are no changes to the roles performed by SVP and general counsel Crystal Gordon, SVP and chief administrative officer Mary Wersebe, and VP of health, safety, and environment James Stottlemyer.

Chris Bradshaw, president and CEO of Bristow, said: “As we continue to make progress on post-merger integration, we are reorganizing Bristow’s executive leadership team to enable the transformation of the company’s business mix through strategic diversification into new markets while redoubling Bristow’s commitment to remain the market leader in search and rescue and offshore helicopter solutions.

“These changes will optimize the talents and experience of our existing leadership team members and better align resources with the Company’s long-term strategic priorities, which include a focus on new markets such as renewables, additional government services work, and advanced air mobility.

“We believe these changes are aligned with the evolving global energy transition and the transformation initiatives that are being implemented by many of our existing customers“.