Aviation
10 aircraft maintenance (MRO) operations experts
These ten professionals have run aircraft maintenance operations at airlines and maintenance providers, in roles covering line maintenance, base and heavy maintenance, hangar operations and overhaul. A reader can learn how these leaders run maintenance teams and facilities in aviation operations.
Professionals to explore
01—10Asoke Timkerd
LinkedInExperience: Director of DMK MRO Operations · Thai Airways International
Director of DMK MRO Operations at Thai Airways International since 2025. Former Head of Aircraft Overhaul Department (2021–2025) and Hangar Manager (2018–2021) at the same airline. The profile describes executing overhaul programs and daily aircraft maintenance under FAR 145 and EASA 145 standards and troubleshooting aircraft malfunctions to identify the cause.
Atte Iso-Kuusela
LinkedInExperience: Head of Aircraft Maintenance, Finnair Oyj Technical Operations · Finnair
Head of Aircraft Maintenance, Finnair Oyj Technical Operations at Finnair since 2025 and former Head of Supply Chain, Finnair Oyj Technical Operations (2024–2025). The profile describes overseeing line maintenance as Head of Aircraft Maintenance at Finnair Technical Operations.
Chris Hentz
LinkedInExperience: MRO Vice President of Operations SAA · ST Engineering
MRO Vice President of Operations SAA at ST Engineering since 2024, where the profile describes overseeing the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft for San Antonio Aerospace. Former Director of Line Maintenance and Materials at JetBlue (2019–2023), with American Airlines roles including Director DWH Aircraft Overhaul and Modifications (2016–2019) and Director LIne Maintenance LAX (2013–2016).
David Orban
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director- Line Maintenance, SE Region · American Airlines
Managing Director- Line Maintenance, SE Region at American Airlines since 2021. Other American Airlines roles include MD- Ground Support Equipment and Facilities (2020–2021), Director- Line Maintenance (2016–2020), Director- Aircraft Heavy Maintenance (2014–2016) and Manager- Aircraft Heavy Maintenance (2012–2014).
Derek Wilson
LinkedInExperience: Sr Director Line Maintenance · Air Canada
Former Sr Director Line Maintenance at Air Canada (2022–2024) and Director of Tooling Operations, Facility Growth and Continuous Improvement at Air Canada (2024–2025). VP of Maintenance Operarions at Cargojet since April 2026. The profile describes leading initiatives across tooling, facilities and workforce planning at Air Canada.
Erik Poorta
LinkedInExperience: Aircraft Maintenance Director Hangar 12 · Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance
Aircraft Maintenance Director Hangar 12 at Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance since 2024, with other roles there including Program Manager - KLM Engine Services (2017–2024) and Maintenance Production Manager - KLM Aircraft Airframe Maintenance (2006–2010). The profile describes responsibility for maintenance of the KLM B737, A320N and A350 fleet at Schiphol-East.
Gary Hindorf
LinkedInExperience: Regional Maintenance Manager EUMEA · Lufthansa
Regional Maintenance Manager EUMEA at Lufthansa since 2022 and former Head of Aircraft Maintenance at Lufthansa (2017–2021). The profile describes serving as responsible Head of Maintenance for 17 Lufthansa Line Maintenance Stations in the EUMEA region, with cost and quality responsibility for over 40 stations served by providers in the region.
Jeroen van Vliet
LinkedInExperience: Director Base Maintenance and Cabin Modifications · KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Director Base Maintenance and Cabin Modifications at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines since 2025. Other KLM roles include Unit Leader Material, Equipment & Facilities at KLM Engineering & Maintenance (2022–2025). The profile describes responsibility for performing base maintenance (C-checks) on 787/777 aircraft and cabin modifications.
John Kentwell
LinkedInExperience: Manager Hangar Operations DTW. · Northwest Airlines
Former Manager Hangar Operations DTW. at Northwest Airlines (2006–2007), where the profile describes responsibility for overnight and repair of aircraft out of service, including A330 and 747 aircraft. Other Northwest Airlines roles include Manager Aircraft Line & International Maintenance Operations (1998–2001) and Manager Aircraft Line Maintenance (1994–1998).
Petri Hakkarainen
LinkedInExperience: Head Of Line Maintenance · Finnair
Head Of Line Maintenance at Finnair since 2021, with other Finnair roles including Head of Regional Aircraft Maintenance (2019–2021) and Head of Maintenance Control (2015–2019). The profile mentions two years with the Norra operated regional fleet of ATR72 and EMB90 and a role expanding to cover all Finnair and Norra fleet.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's area to your question, since running a network of line stations is a different job from running heavy checks in a hangar. Also consider whether you need an airline view of maintenance or the view of a provider that maintains aircraft for other operators.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you plan hangar capacity and manpower so heavy checks finish on time?
- 02Which measures do you watch most closely to judge how a line maintenance operation is performing?
- 03How do you decide which maintenance work to keep in-house and which to send to outside providers?
Reaching aircraft maintenance (MRO) operations experts
How can I contact one of these aircraft maintenance (MRO) operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Thai Airways International, Finnair and ST Engineering, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach aircraft maintenance (MRO) operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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