Donald F. Colleran
President and CEO, FedEx Express

Tom Gentile
President and CEO, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.

C. Jeffrey Knittel
Chairman and CEO, Airbus Americas, Inc.

Donald F. Colleran - Speaker Bio

Don Colleran is president and chief executive officer of FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company. The FedEx Express global network services more than 220 countries and territories, and provides time-sensitive, air-ground express service through more than 650 airports worldwide. Colleran is responsible for the leadership and direction of the FedEx Express group, which includes FedEx Express and TNT Express. 

Previously, Colleran was executive vice president and chief sales officer of FedEx Corp., where he was responsible for the more than $70 billion in worldwide revenue across multiple FedEx operating companies. His global sales and solutions teams executed on the FedEx growth strategy and helped customers grow their businesses through unique selling solutions, and by providing opportunities to reach new markets, eliminate trade barriers, and expand their businesses globally. 

Colleran began his FedEx career in 1989 as an international sales manager in Philadelphia. In 1992, he moved to Tokyo and began a 12-year global career in international sales and operations management. While in Tokyo, Colleran became managing director of sales, North Pacific region, and in 1997 was named vice president, sales, for the Asia-Pacific region, headquartered in Hong Kong. In 2000, Colleran was promoted to president, FedEx Canada, and remained in that capacity for three years before being named senior vice president, international sales, and moving to Memphis. In 2006, he was named executive vice president of global sales and solutions of FedEx Services.

A native of Massachusetts, Colleran earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire. He serves on the IATA Board of Governors, ABM Industries Board of Directors, and East Group Properties Board of Directors. He is also a member of the American Chamber of Commerce and has been recognized as one of the Irish America magazine Business 100.

Tom Gentile - Speaker Bio

Tom Gentile was named president and chief executive officer of Spirit AeroSystems in August 2016 after joining the company in April 2016 as chief operating officer.  

Prior to Spirit, Gentile served as president and chief operating officer of GE Capital. Before this role, he was president and CEO of GE Healthcare Systems. He also served as president and CEO of GE Aviation Services. Gentile began his career at GE in 1998, holding a succession of leadership roles across GE Capital in the U.S., France and Australia.  

Gentile has held additional leadership and strategy roles with McKinsey and Company, U.S. broadcaster CBS and General Motors. He was previously chairman and continues to serve on the board of InSightec, a global leader in non-invasive image guided therapy.  

Gentile earned his bachelor’s degree in economics magna cum laude and an MBA from Harvard University, and studied international relations at the London School of Economics.

C. Jeffrey Knittel - Speaker Bio

C. Jeffrey (Jeff) Knittel is the Chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas, Inc. In addition, he is the Head of Region for the Americas and as such reports directly to the Group CEO.   He is responsible for Airbus’ commercial aircraft business throughout the Americas, as well as for providing leadership for the company’s market leading helicopter business and its space and defense unit in North America. 

Knittel has more than 35 years of experience in aerospace and transportation finance. Before joining Airbus, Knittel was Chief Executive Officer of C2 Aviation Capital (C2), a global leasing company focused on acquiring, leasing and managing commercial aircraft.  Prior to leading C2 Aviation Capital, Mr. Knittel served since 1986 in a series of senior leadership positions at CIT Group Inc.  

Mr. Knittel holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  In addition, he graduated from the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.