Spike Aerospace has added Ray Benvenuti to its executive team with the goal of accelerating the company's expansion and development of the Spike supersonic jet. Benvenuti is a senior executive and board member with decades of experience in finance, operations and advisory roles with private equity, aerospace and manufacturing firms. He brings his wealth of knowledge and insight in aerospace, capital raising, deal structuring, negotiations and management to Spike.

“I've invested in, led, managed and consulted to dozens of aerospace suppliers and OEMs,” he says. “Spike Aerospace's vision to reintroduce supersonic flight that is quieter, sustainable and efficient is game changing. Done right, there will be a significant demand for this aircraft. My goal is to make that happen and help the company achieve its vision.”

“I'm very much looking forward to working with Ray Benvenuti. He is an amazing addition to an already impressive executive team at Spike Aerospace. I look forward to Ray's insights on building a world-class aerospace organisation,” adds Vik Kachoria, president and CEO of Spike Aerospace.

Benvenuti is joining Spike's growing executive team which now includes Tom Captain, former vice-chairman of Deloitte Aerospace and Defense Group; John Thomas, former CEO of Virgin Australia Airline; and Brian Foley, former director of marketing at Dassault Falcon Jet.

Foley, long-time business jet industry executive turned aviation industry strategist, is the latest senior executive to join the Spike Aerospace as an executive advisor. He brings his expertise in marketing and business strategy to the company as the Spike S-512 supersonic jet programme continues to expand.

“I know Spike is positioned in the ‘sweet spot’ of the industry in that it can quietly fly supersonic over land and is targeted at both the corporate jet and airline market,” he notes. “Over my career I have looked at a number of supersonic initiatives and am excited to be working with Spike Aerospace in bringing its vision to market.”

“Brian adds great value with his intimate knowledge of the business jet market and customers, deep industry contacts, strategic thinking and working knowledge of the supersonic business jet frontier,” continues Kachoria. “He is joining an incredible team of executives.”

Foley was marketing director at business jet manufacturer Dassault Falcon Jet for 20 years before starting his consulting firm Brian Foley Associates. His career began at Boeing as a flight test engineer and marketing manager.

Spike Aerospace believes that the Spike supersonic jet is the future of supersonic flight and will connect passengers to their international destinations in about half the time it currently takes. That will enable business travellers to be more effective and competitive, while personal travellers can enjoy more of the world. The Spike jet is expected to fly at Mach 1.6 over land or oceanic routes without creating the loud sonic boom that is disturbing on the ground. The company is committed to environmentally responsible aviation, Stage 5 compliance and a low-sonic boom for overland flight.