After a distinguished 35 year career in technical and sales roles for Hartzell Propeller, vice president of global sales and product support Gary Chafin has retired. Going forward he will serve Hartzell Propeller and all of the Hartzell Aviation companies, including Hartzell Engine Tech and Hartzell Aerospace Welding, as a consultant responsible for special projects.

As part of the planned transition, the company has promoted veteran aviation sales executive Jon Stoy to vice president sales, support and services. In his new position, Stoy's broad portfolio includes responsibilities for the company's OEM and specialised propeller sales teams, product support, technical publications, shipping and warehouse logistics, customer service as well as advanced air mobility business development and new technology.

“Gary Chafin's many contributions to Hartzell Propeller and our customers over the years have been enormous. He is leaving very big shoes to fill,” says company president JJ Frigge. “We are so glad to be able to benefit from Gary's experience and expertise as a consultant as Jon Stoy, an extremely capable aviation sales executive in his own right, assumes the important responsibilities of leading all of Hartzell Propeller's customer facing roles into the future.”

Stoy joined Hartzell Propeller in 2021 as director of sales with 14 years of experience in a variety of aviation sales roles. Prior to that, he was general aviation business development manager for Aeroshell, director of aviation infrastructures and services for NetJets, and charter services manager for Executive Jet Management.

He is a commercial, multiengine and instrument-rated pilot with over 1,000 flight hours. Stoy has a BA from Ohio State University in aviation management and is an active member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the American Bonanza Society and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Chafin's career at Hartzell Propeller began in 1987, after serving as a crew chief for the US Air Force. He had increasingly responsible roles in product support and OEM sales culminating as VP global sales and product support for the past nine years.