Wisk Aero has expanded its Executive leadership team with the addition of Sebastien Vigneron as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Programs and Ricky Robinson as Chief People Officer.
Sebastien brings more than 18 years of experience to his role as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Programs, where he will be responsible for executing the company’s technical vision and roadmap, overseeing the development of current and future aircraft, and directing Wisk’s Engineering, Certification, Product Management, and Programs teams.
He joins Wisk from Virgin Hyperloop, where he was Vice President of Product Development Engineering and Chief Engineer, and led the development of the Hyperloop system, a new mode of transportation from requirements capture through design, build, and test. Sebastien also held key leadership and technical roles at Bombardier and Dassault Aviation developing type certified aircraft from initial concept through flight testing and certification.
Vigneron said: “Joining Wisk is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform mobility in a way that is effective, accessible, and sustainable. I truly believe that all-electric, self-flying aircraft are the future of air mobility and Wisk has been at the forefront of this technology for over a decade. I am excited to be part of this amazing journey and to help realize the promise of autonomous AAM in making aviation smarter, safer, and more efficient.”
In his role as Chief People Officer, Ricky will help facilitate the continued growth of Wisk, including talent management, organisational structure and culture, diversity, equality and inclusion (DE&I).
With more than 25 years of experience, Ricky has held various HR leadership roles at Nortek, Anixter International, Gap, and Office Depot. His most recent role prior to joining Wisk was as Vice President of HR in the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic, one of the largest medical device companies in the world. Ricky is also active in the leadership of a number of nonprofits, including the Attles Center for Excellence (ACE), Ability Now Bay Area, and the Mary Valle Foundation for the Cerebral Palsied.
Robinson said: “Wisk is a clearly established leader in the Advanced Air Mobility Space with a real value proposition that makes it an employer of choice and a destination for talent. I look forward to leveraging my experience to help Wisk lead from the front, as we continue to grow. I’m extremely excited to be part of the Wisk family and about the opportunities that we have in front of us.”
Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk, added: “Wisk has established itself as a leader in the advanced air mobility industry and is on an exciting growth trajectory. Our people, combined with our technology, are the keys to our success. The extensive experience and expertise that Sebastien and Ricky bring to Wisk will be critical as we scale in these areas, both today and in the future.”
Since 2010, Wisk has been focused on delivering safe, everyday flight for everyone. It is a developer of the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the U.S and currently designing its sixth-generation aircraft.