Panasonic Avionics Announces Senior Sales Executive Appointments

Lake Forest, California – Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics) has today announced the appointments of senior executives to three key sales positions across its organization.

Panasonic Avionics today named Malcolm McKay Vice President of Sales. McKay will be responsible for accelerating and driving top-line annual growth for Panasonic Avionics and will develop and plan the company’s worldwide sales processes and methodologies.  He will oversee Sales Leaders over each product line including Digital Solutions, Software as a Service (SaaS), Panasonic Technical Services and Connectivity, Sales Operations & Enablement.

Mark Jennings, Chief Operating Officer at Panasonic Avionics said: “With his successful track record over many years at Panasonic Avionics, and given his wide knowledge of our customers and the overall air transport market, Malcolm is the ideal candidate to drive Customer Success across our broad portfolio of products and services. We are very excited to have him lead the cross-functional team responsible for identifying new opportunities for growth for our company.

McKay was previously Sales and Marketing Director, Europe for Panasonic, a position he had held since 2005.

In addition, Tom Eskola has been named Regional Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East, Central and Southern Asia and Africa (MECSAA) region, and Hernan Abbes has been named to the Regional Vice President and General Manager for the Americas and Oceania region.

Eskola and Abbes will play leading roles in accelerating and driving top-line annual growth, Customer Success and overall market share for the region in alignment with the overall business strategies. They will also be responsible for the regional P&L, managing all aspects of sales and marketing, customer service, field engineering, general management and corporate compliance in their regions. 

Jennings added: “Throughout their careers here at Panasonic Avionics, Tom and Hernan have consistently provided thought leadership with an unwavering commitment to Customer Success and driving the company’s strategic initiatives. We believe that they will bring a track record of success to their positions, and that they will provide regional leadership to all employees and facilities in their organizations.”

Eskola was previously Head of Panasonic’s Customer Performance Center and joined the company in 2011.

Hernan was previously Senior Director for Americas & Oceania Regions and joined the company in 2011.

Jennings added: “We have long believed in recognizing and growing talent across our organization and are delighted to announce these promotions and the elevation of these skilled and proven executives to new leadership positions within Panasonic Avionics. Between them, we know that Tom, Hernan, and Malcolm will all play significant roles in the future growth and success of our Customers and our company.”

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About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world’s leading supplier of inflight entertainment and communication systems. The company’s best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling its customers to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 5,000 employees and operations in 80 global locations, it has delivered over 15,000 IFE systems and 2,000 inflight connectivity solutions to the world’s leading airlines.

Media Contact:
Brian Bardwell
Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications
Tel: +1 949 462 1742
Brian.Bardwell@panasonic.aero

“We have long believed in recognizing and growing talent across our organization and are delighted to announce these promotions and the elevation of these skilled and proven executives to new leadership positions within Panasonic Avionics. Between them, we know that Tom, Hernan, and Malcolm will all play significant roles in the future growth and success of our Customers and our company.”

-Mark Jennings

Chief Operating Officer