US MRO specialist West Star Aviation has promoted Rich Baertschi to Gulfstream aircraft maintenance team lead at its Lovell Field facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Brandon Shemonia to Gulfstream team lead at its St Louis Regional airport facility in East Alton, Illinois..

Baertschi has more than 25 years of experience and has worked on several airframes, previously working as a crew leader at Gulfstream. In his new position he will work with lead techs through mentoring and training to ensure customers receive the first-class service they are accustomed to.

"Rich's wealth of knowledge will be beneficial to the team and we're excited to watch his career progress here at West Star," says Chattanooga Gulfstream programme director Michael Ditmeyer.

Meanwhile Shemonia will be responsible for working with lead technicians, day-to-day operations and training/mentoring the team. He has been with West Star since 2019 and was previously employed by Laura Automotive Group for nine years as a shop manager overseeing maintenance, lift kit installations, custom vehicle wraps, window tinting and parts.

"Brandon's dedication and continued desire to learn while building on his experience made him the best candidate for this position and promotion," says James Davis, Gulfstream programme manager at East Alton.