The Management Team
The Airborne Systems team of over 800 professionals bring thousands of man-years of parachute design, development and engineering expertise to meet our high standards as well as our customers requirements. Our broad range of capabilities, from design and engineering to manufacturing, documentation, training, and maintenance, are unmatched in the industry. The experience and approach of the Airborne Systems team provides creative and innovative solutions to critical delivery, launch and recovery needs.
Brad Pedersen, President, HDT Airborne.
Brad Pedersen was appointed President of HDT Airborne on July 1st 2011. Prior to that, Brad was President of Airborne Systems (2006 to 2011). Prior to joining Airborne Systems, Brad worked for Sikorsky Aircraft where he held several executive positions in program management and strategic planning. He also worked for Boeing Helicopters in Mesa, Arizona where he held positions in program management and flight test. Brad Pedersen earned a bachelor's degree in Engineering and an MBA from Arizona State University.
Chris Rowe, Managing Director, Airborne Systems Europe.
Chris Rowe joined Airborne Systems in June 2006 as Managing Director IGQ and brings a wealth of experience of the international defence industry, with more than fifteen years as Managing Director. Prior to joining the company, Chris led the Radar business of a major BAE Systems joint venture, and before that was Managing Director of Alvis Vehicles, a leading UK designer and manufacturer of wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles. His previous experience also includes the running of electronics-based military and civil simulation and training businesses operating internationally. Chris has a first class Honours degree in Engineering from Salford University, and an MBA from City University, London, gained mid-career.
JC Berland, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Airborne Systems.
JC Berland is Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Airborne Systems. Prior to his position at Airborne Systems, JC was President of Para-Flite, the Pennsauken, New Jersey based company specializing in the development of military ram-air gliding parachutes. Before joining Para-Flite, JC Berland was Chief of the French Airborne Troops and Special Forces Test Department at the French Ministry of Defense (Major Rank). In that position, he conducted feasibility studies and testing on new high-glide parachute designs. During this 14-year term at the French Ministry of Defense, JC Berland acted as the French representative and President of the International Working Group of Experts which established test procedures for aerial delivery and air drop of personnel. In 1999, JC joined Para-Flite Inc. as its Chief Engineer. His design initiatives include military high glide personnel parachutes as well as precision guided aerial delivery ram-air parachute systems capable of carrying up to 30,000 lb payloads. Additionally, JC Berland has led the design of the ATPS (Advanced Tactical Parachute System), currently being fielded with the US Army to replace the military T10. JC Berland earned his engineering diploma in Ground Weapons Engineering from the Ecole Nationale Superieur d'Ingenieurs des Etudes et Techniques d'Armement in Paris. He also holds certificates as a professional parachutist, tandem master and private pilot. He has made over 4,000 parachute jumps, the majority of which were made in direct, military parachute testing.
Mike Garten, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Airborne Systems.
Mike joined Airborne Systems team in april 2011 as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Airborne Systems Group.
Prior to that, Mike worked at Honeywell International in Phoenix, Arizona where he held the position of Vice President, Defense and Space Military Aircraft Sales since 2005. He brings a wealth of talent and over 15 years in global Defense and Space sales and marketing leadership. He holds a master’s in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.
