East Alton, IL – February 12, 2026 – West Star Aviation, a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider in the business aviation industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Howell as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Reporting to CEO Stephen Maiden, Howell will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive go-to-market strategy designed to drive organic growth and enhance service delivery for customers.

With extensive experience in the aviation sector, Howell is a seasoned executive who has held prominent leadership roles at top organizations including Honeywell Aerospace and Textron Aviation. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong ability to drive strategic initiatives and lead high-performing teams, skills that will be invaluable in his new role at West Star Aviation.

As CCO, Howell will focus on strengthening sales and marketing effectiveness by assessing current strategies and fostering collaboration across teams to ensure alignment with business objectives. He will lead an evaluation of talent within the commercial organization, ensuring the right individuals are positioned to drive performance and accountability.

Howell will also establish targets and KPIs aligned with West Star’s growth goals while implementing industry best practices across sales, marketing, and operational processes. In addition, he will work to build and maintain strong relationships with major vendors, OEMs, and customers, serving as a primary support resource for the sales team.

Reflecting on his appointment, Howell stated, “I am honored to join West Star Aviation, a company that values exceptional customer service and operational excellence. I’m excited to leverage my experience to further enhance our capabilities and ensure we meet the evolving needs of our clients in the business aviation sector.”

CEO Stephen Maiden expressed confidence in Howell’s impact, saying, “Brian’s extensive experience and strategic mindset will be pivotal as we work to elevate our service offerings and achieve our growth ambitions. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to seeing how his vision will help shape the future of West Star Aviation.”

Howell holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Entrepreneurship and Marketing, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Wichita State University. His proven track record and dedication to the aviation industry position him as a significant asset to the West Star Aviation team.

About West Star Aviation
With more than 79 years of industry experience, West Star Aviation stands as a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Employing over 3,000 professionals, West Star offers comprehensive services from our strategically located full-service facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; Chattanooga, TN; Millville, NJ; Perryville, MO; and Statesville, NC, as well as satellite locations in Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, and Chicago. The company’s extensive capabilities encompass maintenance, paint, interior, and avionics services, supported by the largest Aircraft On Ground (AOG) network in the country, ensuring prompt and reliable mobile repair services nationwide.