10 Howmet Aerospace operations leaders
Torben Kaese, Vice President General Manager Global Operations at Howmet Aerospace, is one of ten Howmet Aerospace operations leaders listed here, alongside people who hold director of operations, operations director and plant general manager roles at the company. A reader can learn how operations leaders work at Howmet Aerospace from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Andy Cocks
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations at Howmet Aerospace (Fullerton 2) · Howmet Aerospace
Director of Operations at Howmet Aerospace (Fullerton 2) since August 2025, based in the Los Angeles area and tagged at director level in operations. Andy Cocks also holds Continuous Improvement Director at Howmet Aerospace (since 2010), and held Global Lean director at Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings, which is now part of Arconic.
Dan Gross
LinkedInExperience: Plant General Manager · Howmet Aerospace
Plant General Manager at Howmet Aerospace since January 2025, based in Irvine, California; the profile describes P&L ownership of a $200M Aerospace Fastener business with 550 people and notes that Howmet acquired Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing in April 2026. Dan Gross was Vice President Operations at Confluent Medical Technologies (2022–2024) and at AllClear Aerospace & Defense (2021–2022).
David Beddell
LinkedInExperience: Global Director of Growth and Operations Planning · Howmet Aerospace
Global Director of Growth and Operations Planning at Howmet Aerospace since February 2023, based in Cleveland; the profile headline reads Director of Growth and Operations Planning (Engine Systems - Structural Castings). David Beddell also holds Global Director of Business Transformation at Howmet Aerospace, and was Director Global Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (Engineered Structures) there (2019–2021) and Senior Manager Global Operations and Planning at Arconic (2018–2019).
Hicham Wazni
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Global CI · Howmet Aerospace
Vice President Global CI at Howmet Aerospace since July 2022, based in the Cleveland area; the profile headline reads Vice President, Global Operations Excellence and lists Lean, Operations Excellence and Smart Manufacturing. Hicham Wazni was Global Director, Continuous Improvement and Smart Manufacturing (2021–2022) and Director Of Continuous Improvement (2012–2018) at Howmet Aerospace.
Hootsa Gladkikh
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · Howmet Aerospace
Director of Operations at Howmet Aerospace since August 2024, based in Torrance, California and tagged at director level in operations. Hootsa Gladkikh was Operations Manager (2017–2024), Manufacturing Manager (2012–2017), Operational Management Consultant (2012) and Quality Engineer (2009–2012) at Howmet Aerospace.
John Schaub
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Operations · Howmet Aerospace
Director Of Operations at Howmet Aerospace since April 2022, based in Muskegon County, Michigan and tagged at director level in operations; the profile headline reads Director of Operations at Howmet Aerospace, and the listing shows no other employer for John Schaub.
Robert Steib
LinkedInExperience: Operations Director · Howmet Aerospace
Operations Director at Howmet Aerospace since July 2026, based in Menden, Germany, with the role in Bestwig, and tagged at director level in operations. Robert Steib was Vice President Operations EMEA at WKW.automotive (2024–2025), Executive Director Global Operations DCS at Dura Automotive Systems LLC (2022–2024) and Plant Manager at Dura Automotive Systems Timisoara (2018–2019).
Ryan Trimbur, MBA, CPIM
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations Planning, Airfoils Segment · Howmet Aerospace
Director of Operations Planning, Airfoils Segment at Howmet Aerospace since August 2023, based in Whitehall, Michigan. Ryan Trimbur, MBA, CPIM was Segment Analyst at Howmet Aerospace (2020–2023) and at Arconic (2017–2020), and Sr. Business Analyst (2014–2017) and Master Scheduler (2007–2014) at Alcoa.
Scott Trimble
LinkedInExperience: VP OpEx & CI - Howmet Structures · Howmet Aerospace
VP OpEx & CI - Howmet Structures at Howmet Aerospace since May 2026, based in Cleveland and tagged at vice president level in operations. Scott Trimble was Director Operations - Howmet Structures, Cleveland Site (2024–2026) and Supply Chain & CI Manager (2019–2024) at Howmet Aerospace, and Director SIOP & Business Excellence, Ti Segment at RTI International Metals (2014–2019).
Torben Kaese
LinkedInExperience: Vice President General Manager Global Operations · Howmet Aerospace
Vice President General Manager Global Operations at Howmet Aerospace since March 2017, based in the Los Angeles area; the profile headline reads Vice President / General Manager Global Operations at Howmet Aerospace. Torben Kaese was General Manager at Firth Rixson Schlosser Forge (2013–2017), Director of Operations at Firth Rixson (2010–2013), and President at Sona BLW Precision Forge (2008–2010).
Choose the right perspective
Pick the person whose own title and operating area sit closest to your question, and check the dates on each role. Match scope as well, since a leader running one site or function and one running operations across a region or business will answer from different vantage points.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What took most of your time in your current operations role, and how did you decide what to handle yourself and what to delegate?
- 02How did you work with other functions when their priorities pulled against operational goals?
- 03What did you carry over from earlier roles that changed how you run operations?
Reaching Howmet Aerospace operations leaders
How can I contact one of these Howmet Aerospace operations leaders?
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 1 company: Howmet Aerospace, based on profile data retrieved on October 17, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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