US piston engine manufacturer Continental has appointed Karen Hong as chief executive officer and president. Hong was previously named as the interim CEO in September 2021 while serving as the company’s chief financial officer. Before joining Continental, she held multiple executive positions at Chrysler Automotive, which is now Stellantis, and was recently the global CFO for Joyson Safety Systems in Michigan.

“Karen brings with her a wealth of knowledge and global experiences that have prepared her to lead the Continental organisation,” says chairman of the board of directors YF Huang. “Since joining Continental, Karen has been instrumental in developing the company’s global strategy. She has successfully navigated the company through rapidly changing times and remains focused on supporting our strategic vision. We are fortunate to have such a strong and passionate leader in this role.”

With a career that spans beyond financial management, Hong has over 25 years of diverse career experience. She has developed business strategies and implemented cross-functional disciplinaries while overseeing international business units as well as finance, IT and ERM groups. In addition, Hong has consistently built strong teams that can achieve long-term goals and surpass customer satisfaction.

“It is a privilege to be named Continental’s CEO,” she says. “I am incredibly proud to lead this global team and organisation into the future of general aviation. As we look forward, I am thrilled about our product and technology opportunities as we transition into our state-of-the-art manufacturing to further enrich our customer’s experience. These opportunities, along with the support of our remarkable team, valued customers and partners will solidify our position as the first choice in general aviation power.”