AVEX, the exclusive distributor of new TBM aircraft in the southwestern US, has named Chad Cundiff as chief executive officer and Claude Draillard as chief financial officer. They will also assume these roles at New State Capital Partners, parent company of AVEX since its acquisition in December 2021. AVEX is also a provider of maintenance for the Daher TBM turboprop in North America and serves as the anchor investment for the broader platform.

"Establishing the senior executive team is the first step in growing our aviation-focused platform," says New State senior principal Daniel Han. "We are pleased to welcome Chad and Claude to their new leadership roles and believe their aviation and management experience will prove invaluable as New State Aviation Holdings seeks to expand both organically and through acquisitions."

Cundiff has over 25 years of executive, managerial and professional experience in aerospace. He previously served eight years as president of the Astronautics Corporation of America. Prior to that, he spent over 15 years at Honeywell Aerospace, where he served in positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president of crew interface products. He began his career as an engineer with The Boeing Company, developing the Boeing 777 aircraft, and is an ATP-rated pilot.

Draillard has spent over 25 years in the aviation industry and is the founder of AvionGarde, provider of tailored financial solutions to business aviation companies. Previously, he was CFO of GDC Technics, and prior to that, vice president of finance for Honda Aircraft Company and CFO at Dassault Falcon Jet.

Cundiff says: "I am thrilled to join the team and look forward to continuing AVEX's tradition of best-in-class customer service. I am also eager to expand the New State aviation platform at such a promising moment in private jets and services."

Draillard adds: "I am very happy to be part of a dynamic leadership team, and I look forward to the opportunities in growing the platform."