Former America’s Cup Chief Joins Jetpack Company

Martin Aircraft Company press release

Former America’s Cup Chief Joins Jetpack Company

Anthony Romano another high calibre board appointment for Martin Aircraft Company

Christchurch, 11 February 2009. – Anthony Romano, former head of Luna Rossa in the America’s Cup and of Calvin Klein Europe, has joined the board of Martin Aircraft Company, developers of the world’s first practical jetpack.

“Anthony’s experience in building world class brands, and his track record in developing businesses in the European market, makes him an excellent addition to our Board,” says Martin Aircraft Company chairman Jenny Morel.

“His appointment complements a very strong Board, with strong capabilities across technology, operations, finance, sales and marketing.”

Martin Aircraft Company director and Chief Executive Richard Lauder said Mr Romano’s skills and experience would be invaluable, ”As well as a wealth of international business experience, he brings a real insight into the minds of our target customers for the Martin Jetpack – high net worth individuals with a taste for adventure.”

Mr Romano has held several international executive positions including CEO and board director of Calvin Klein’s European head office and general manager and board director of Luna Rossa during the 2007 America’s Cup Challenge.

Now resident in Christchurch, Mr Romano runs his own consulting company and is an owner and director of the Christchurch tram and gondola companies.

“I feel privileged to be appointed to the board of the Martin Aircraft Company,” said Mr Romano. “This is an exciting and revolutionary project with the potential to have significant ramifications for the way we travel, and asserts once again New Zealand's world-class creative technological flair.

“The international commercial opportunities for the Martin Jetpack are many, and I look forward to working with the company to help many people realise the oldest of human dreams.”

His appointment completes the high calibre Martin Aircraft Company board that includes:

• Richard Lauder (Chief Executive): Richard is an experienced corporate leader. He is well known for transforming Christchurch’s council works unit into a nationally competitive contracting business called City Care. Subsequently he was Executive Chairman of Australasian contacting company Excell Corporation.

• Glenn Martin (Founder and Chief Technology Officer): Glenn began developing Martin Jetpack concept in 1981. A research and development program spanning almost 30 years has proven his original concept with the achievement of successful personal flight. He has held sales and marketing positions in the pharmaceutical industry and successfully commercialised biotechnology products.

• Tony Marks (non-executive director): Tony has 40 years of international marketing and sales experience, including 10 years in aviation as CEO of Origin Pacific, GM Sales and Marketing and GM Commercial for Air New Zealand. Tony recently retired as CEO of Pacific Blue and now holds a number of directorships.

• Jenny Morel (Chairman): Jenny is Executive Director of No. 8 Ventures, a venture capital company founded in 1999. Previously she started Morel & Co Ltd as the only investment bank in New Zealand specialising in technology companies. She has a long career background in investment banking and company directorships in both UK and New Zealand.

About Anthony Romano

Anthony Romano began his career with Deloittes in Christchurch and then in Milan, Italy. After that he played a key role in the start-up of both Timberland Italy and the European head office for Calvin Klein, where he became the Chief Executive Officer and Board Director for 6 years.

Mr Romano then spent four years as the General Manager and Board Director for Luna Rossa for the 2007 America’s Cup Challenge, and has now set up his own consulting company. He is also Director of the Holding Company for the Christchurch Tram and Gondola.

About Martin Aircraft Company

Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Martin Aircraft Company is developing the world’s first practical jetpack, the Martin Jetpack. Launched to global acclaim at the 2008 Experimental Aviation Association AirVenture air show in the USA, Martin Aircraft Company plans to fulfil its first customer orders in 2009.

The founder of Martin Aircraft Company and the inventor of the Martin Jetpack is Glenn Martin. Richard Lauder is the company’s Chief Executive Officer. The company is privately held, including a substantial shareholding by No 8 Ventures.

ends

© Scoop Media