Professional

Barry Kohler joined Erickson in May of 2023. His experience includes over 40 years in the aerospace industry, with 30 years in senior and executive leadership roles. These senior leadership positions include roles at Honeywell, BAE Systems, and Bell Flight/Textron. Barry started his engineering career with Rolls Royce Engines and continued in the propulsion research and development field with Honeywell for 13 years. He assumed Product Director roles with Honeywell before joining BAE Systems as the leader of their fly-by-wire flight controls business. He spent 11 years with Bell Flight, running the commercial business and Canadian operations. He then went on to become President and CEO of Eagle Copters, a position he held for five years. 

Personal

Barry Kohler earned a mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University (formerly the General Motors Institute). Barry Kohler is a resident of Central Point Oregon. This location is near Erickson’s manufacturing facilities and is optimal for remaining apprised of critical operational components. 

Professional

Kristi Gonzalez is the Senior Vice President of Business Planning & Corporate Responsibility and is responsible for human resources, occupational safety, security, and corporate insurance. Kristi has worked in several industries throughout her career before arriving at Erickson, including chemical processing, automotive repair, manufacturing, and mental health. She brings to Erickson a wide range of skills in operations management, change management, HR compliance, accounting and payroll, employee benefits, compensation management, and occupational safety. Kristi is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Portland HR Management Association. 

Personal

Mrs. Gonzalez holds a B.S. in Management/Entrepreneurship from the Oregon Institute of Technology and an MBA from Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) certification.  

Professional

David Merryman is the Director of Legal and is responsible for advising the leadership team, negotiating and managing contracts, directing litigation, and otherwise overseeing the full range of the company’s legal issues. Before joining Erickson, he worked as a litigator for large law firms in Texas and Oregon, where he handled a wide range of commercial disputes. Mr. Merryman is admitted to practice in Oregon and Texas. 

Personal

Mr. Merryman is an Alumnus of Lewis & Clark College, where he studied international affairs and political science. He earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School. David enjoys spending time with his growing family. 

PROFESSIONAL 

Connor Bascue Joined Erickson in January of 2014. His experience includes financial modeling, cash flow projections, and financial analysis. He is currently the Vice President of Finance. 

PERSONAL 

Connor graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and from the University of Southern California with an MBA. He is a current CFA Charterholder. 

Professional

Jeff Mecklenburg joined Erickson in October of 1997. His background includes experience in production, certification, engineering, and quality. He is currently responsible for the AeroSystems Operations that include: Aircraft Repair and Modification, Component Repair and Overhaul, Manufacturing, Composite Main Rotor Blade Manufacturing, Engineering, Program Management, and Facilities Maintenance. Jeff has been with the company for over 20 years and has held multiple supervision and management positions. Most recently, Jeff has served as the Senior Director of Production and Plant Operations.

Personal

Mr. Mecklenburg graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Maintenance Management and holds multiple FAA Certifications.

Professional

Ryan Perkins joined the Erickson team in 2015 and currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing, Business Development & Sales. He is responsible for the growth of the business through new opportunities, new customers, and expanding existing programs and customer accounts. His objective is to support Erickson’s customer base with reliable and effective aerial operations, aircraft, and maintenance & manufacturing solutions for operating fleets.

Ryan started his career in the United States Marine Corps in the CH-53E heavy-lift community. After leaving active service, Ryan joined the commercial aviation industry in medium and heavy-lift helicopters. He has been working with the U.S. and foreign military forces over the span of his 23-year career. In his previous role before taking his current position, Ryan was the Sr. Director of Business Development for Erickson Mission Support division. In this role, he was tasked to grow the defense MRO and third-party OEM business with manufacturing and maintenance solutions. Ryan has extensive experience in operations and has served as a leader of several aircraft reset, refurbishment, and modification programs. As the former Director for MRO Programs, he was responsible for standing up the H-53 refurbishment and Reset programs and oversaw the execution of these programs. Additionally, Ryan has served as a Commercial Service Representative and Maintenance Supervisor embedded in the Australian Defence Force, and a Maintenance and Technical Advisor for the Royal Moroccan Air Force, in partnership with the US Army.

Personal

Mr. Perkins earned his MBA from the University of Oregon and holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University. He is a recipient of the Patriotic Employer Award, this award honored Ryan for his continued support of his employees who are currently serving as reservists or national guardsmen in the U.S. Armed Forces.

PROFESSIONAL 

Bernadette McGinn joined the Erickson team in 2018. She has over 25 years of experience as a Corporate Controller. She began her career in public accounting at Deloitte & Touche in New York, NY.  

PERSONAL 

Bernadette served in the New York Army National Guard as a finance officer. She earned her degree in accounting from the University of Albany – State University of New York. She is currently a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Oregon.