Dr. Stefan Weingartner replaced Bernd Kessler as the president and CEO, commercial maintenance, of MTU Aero Engines (Stand W750) on November 1, following his nomination by MTU’s supervisory board on October 18. Kessler has left MTU to become the CEO of Switzerland-based aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company SR Technics (Stand E500).

Weingartner has served since 2002 as MTU’s senior vice president of defense programs, where he led all of the company’s government business, including its activities in the engine programs for the Eurofighter/Typhoon, the Airbus A400M military transport, the Tiger helicopter and other aircraft. He also led MTU’s military repair and overhaul business.

The 46-year-old Weingartner holds a doctorate degree in engineering and an MBA. He has worked in the aerospace business for 18 years, several of which he spent leading DaimlerChrysler Aerospace’s North Asia operations, before he became president of the then-newly established EADS Japan.