Associated Air Center, the overhaul, maintenance and modification center based in Dallas, Texas, announced that chief operating officer Jack Lawless is taking on additional responsibilities and will serve as the company’s new business leader. The company is exhibiting at Booth No. 370 as part of the StandardAero group.

Nelson Barrett, who is moving out of that position to return to his previous role as senior vice president of services at Standard Aero in Winnipeg, Canada, said Lawless has worked closely with him during the past year. “His extensive experience and proven ability to drive operations and customer satisfaction are key to AAC’s continued success in this challenging economic environment,” he said. “He understands the issues and will continue to work closely with leaders across the organization to complete the business transformation project already under way.”

Speaking about the current state of the VVIP completions market, Associated Air Center’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, Patrick Altuna, said he is cautiously optimistic despite the current economic and financial crisis. He attributed the positive outlook in part to a decision the company made some time ago to focus on the Boeing Business Jet and Airbus Corporate Jetliner families. “Associated Air Center is currently at work on three BBJs and three ACJs, and we’re booked through 2009 and for much of 2010. Some customers have asked for delivery deferrals or we would be booked well into 2011.”

Altuna also said he views the EBACE show as an perfect opportunity to speak with European operators.