Columbia Helicopters appoints new President/CEO

Heavy-lift helicopter operations, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company, Columbia Helicopters has announced that Mike Tremlett, Executive Vice President, will become its President/CEO on 1 January 2023. He replaces Steve Bandy, who is retiring at the end of the year. Bandy will remain on the Columbia Board of Directors as Vice Chairman.

Tremlett has more than 26 years of military and civilian aviation experience, with nearly 20 years as a strategic business development leader in aviation manufacturing, MRO and depot sustainment organizations.

He joined Columbia in December 2021 as Vice President of Business Development and was promoted in July 2022 to Executive Vice President.

Tremlett also previously served in the US Army as an AH-64 Apache aviator, commander, and later as a Commercial MRO Maintenance Test Pilot.

“It is an extreme honor to take the helm of this incredible company and lead it into the next chapter,” said Tremlett. “I am looking forward to working with our entire team to propel Columbia Helicopters toward our 2023 goals and secure new opportunities while we continue to grow our services with our current customers.”

Bill Boisture, Columbia Helicopters’ Board Chair, added: “We are excited to support Mike and the entire team, and we remain strongly committed to the continued growth of Columbia's three businesses: Global Aerial Operations; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; and Aircraft Production as an original equipment manufacturer.”

Earlier this year, Columbia Helicopters entered into a memorandum of understanding with Brightwater UAG on a supply chain agreement.