Joby Aviation and MagniX CEOs Join GAMA’s Executive Committee

JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, and Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX and Executive Chairman of Eviation, will serve as co-chairs of the Electric Propulsion and Innovation Committee (EPIC). The committee works to create an environment conducive to efficient design, production, operation and maintenance of hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft, including eVTOLs. This will be Bevirt and Ganzarski’s first time serving on the Executive Committee. Bevirt has been a member of the GAMA Board of Directors since 2018 and Ganzarski has been a member since 2019.

Joby Aviation’s latest eVTOL. Credit // Joby

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) exists to “foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests, and activities of the global business and general aviation industry.” This includes promoting a better understanding of general aviation manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul and the important role these industry segments play in economic growth and opportunity, and in serving the critical transportation needs of communities, companies, and individuals worldwide. The Executive Committee is comprised of members of GAMA’s Board of Directors, who provide strategic leadership for the association and lead its policy committees. The additions to the GAMA Executive Committee were elected by the Board of Directors during its Winter Board Meeting.

Santa Cruz-based company Joby Aviation has raised $910 million and aims to have an electric vertical take-off and landing air taxi service operating by 2024. In late February, Joby announced it will list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a business combination deal with Reinvent Technology Partners, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Joby is backed by Toyota and Uber Technologies.

Related: Joby Aviation Releases First Footage of Air Taxi Prototype in FlightMeanwhile, Ganzarksi is also executive chairman of electric airplane maker Eviation, whose new regional all-electric airplanes will be powered by MagniX motors. Eviation is setting up a new assembly facility in Arlington, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. Both MagniX and Eviation are part of Clermont Group, owned by Singapore-based billionaire Richard Chandler.

Why it’s important: GAMA has a widespread, global reach with members throughout the world, including in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, and the Middle East. Its members also are world-renowned for their ability to efficiently operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. By initiating a relationship with firmly-established companies across the globe, Joby Aviation and magniX are well-situated to expand their products and services once they have been certified and are manufactured at scale for implementation in revenue-generating commercial services. Further, the addition of electric aviation-focused leaders to GAMA’s Executive Committee gives the aerial mobility industry a larger voice in its advancement and integration in to general aviation.

Sources // GAMA; Puget Sound Business Journal