Pacific Aerospace Consulting names Lee de Winton Australia CEO

Pacific Aerospace Consulting has appointed a new CEO for its Australian division: Lee de Winton.

Named one of the 100 Women of Influence a few years ago by the Australian Financial Review, De Winton brings a successful track record in the aviation, aerospace and defence sectors to the firm.

She most recently was the CEO of Sydney Metro Airports (which encompasses the Bankstown and Camden airports) and before that she held roles both in defence as well as in commercial industry.

After starting her career as an Air Traffic Control Officer in the Royal Navy, De Winton moved to the RAAF as an Air Traffic Controller, where her jobs included National Airspace Manager – Defence, Commanding Officer 381 Squadron, and Base Commander during a mission in Afghanistan. During her time at the Air Combat Group, she held roles including Capability Manager and Aviation Safety Lead.

In the commercial industry, De Winton worked for Qantas (Head of Freight Operations) and Canterbury Bankston Chamber of Commerce (Board Member) prior to taking the reins at Sydney Metro Airports early 2017.

Commenting on her move, effective May this year, De Winton said that she looks forward to continue the “important work” her new employer has been doing for close to two decades. “Pacific Aerospace Consulting is an amazing business, doing essential things to ensure interoperability in many new defence organisations and systems. Our work is essential – clients depend on it for mission success and safety,” she said.

Founded in 2004, Pacific Aerospace Consulting (a veteran-owned company) provides business and technology consulting services to defence clients. The firm’s 60 or so employees operate from offices in Australia and the United States, with its domestic outfit operating out of Sydney, Canberra and Williamtown.

“I’m looking forward to working with the team as we enhance defence capability over the following years,” said De Winton, who will continue to serve as non-executive director at Newcastle Airport and Chairperson of the Forum on Western Sydney Airport.

Meanwhile, in the US, Pacific Aerospace Consulting is led by John Sharkey, a RAAF veteran who has been with the consulting firm for over eight years.