Supersonic travel firm Aerion has named Douglas Coleman as general counsel and executive VP of governance and compliance. As the company's chief legal officer, Coleman will oversee all legal matters, contracts, compliance and corporate governance programmes as Aerion develops the AS2 supersonic business jet.

Coleman brings extensive experience in commercial and corporate law, intellectual property and compliance in the aerospace and defence industry. He joins Aerion from Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, where he served as deputy general counsel of the $7.2 billion aerostructures manufacturer. He has also served in a variety of legal positions at BAE Systems, Curtiss-Wright Corporation and the US Department of Justice, where he was a trial attorney in the Aviation & Admiralty section.

Coleman is a licensed commercial pilot and certified flight instructor.