Hawker Beechcraft Corp. (HBC) has begun what are expected to be significant changes in the structure and makeup of its top level sales team, Aviation Week has learned.

Hawker Beechcraft Chairman and CEO W. W. Bill Boisture and Executive VP Shawn Vick will announce a reorganization of the marketing team with three regional sales presidents that will report to Vick. Product group sales directors will be appointed who will report to the regional sales presidents.

Yesterday, the Wichita manufacturer announced that Justin Firestone has been appointed president, Asia-Pacific sales, and will oversee all commercial aircraft sales in that region. In the next few days the company is also expected to announce new regional sales presidents for the Americas and Europe/Middle East/Africa. Sources close to the company say that Boisture and Vick, both of whom joined HBC during the past year, are apparently looking for other outside talent; Firestone, for example, was founder and CEO of Asia Jet.

In related moves, Vick announced last week that Brad Hatt, senior vice president sales, will be leaving the company Feb. 8 after an 18-year career with the firm.

HBC also will unveil its new Hawkerbeechcraft.com website on Feb. 8.

Photo credit: Hawker Beechcraft