Wisk Appoints Sebastien Vigneron as New CEO, Brian Yutko Transitions to Leadership Role Within Boeing
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wisk Aero, a leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company and wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing, today announced the appointment of Sebastien Vigneron as its new Chief Executive Officer. Sebastien, who previously served as Wisk's Senior Vice President of Engineering and Programs, will succeed Brian Yutko, who is transitioning to a leadership role within Boeing's Commercial Airplanes Division (BCA).
Wisk Appoints Sebastien Vigneron as New CEO, Brian Yutko Transitions to Leadership Role Within Boeing
Share
Sebastien Vigneron brings a wealth of experience and deep understanding of Wisk's technology and strategic direction to his role as CEO. Previously at Wisk, Sebastien drove Product Development of the company's Generation 6 aircraft, including the Autonomy and Airspace Integration technologies. He also oversaw the Hardware & Software Engineering, Simulation, Systems Test, Flight Test, and Program Management teams. Sebastien's appointment comes at a significant time for Wisk, as the company prepares to fly its Gen 6 aircraft and progress on its certification path. His background and intimate knowledge of new aircraft development are key to accelerating Wisk's path towards commercialization.
'Having been deeply involved in our journey over the last four years, I'm incredibly honored to lead Wisk into this next chapter as we bring our Gen 6 aircraft to market,' said Sebastien Vigneron. 'This is a truly exciting time for the company and AAM as a whole. I look forward to guiding our talented team through this critical stage and leveraging the enhanced collaboration with Boeing to bring safe, autonomous flight to everyday life.'
Brian Yutko will become Vice President of Product Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA). In this role, Brian will provide strategic oversight and support to Wisk.
'Leading Wisk as CEO and being a part of the incredible progress our team has made on our Gen 6 product has been a true privilege,' said Brian Yutko. 'I'm honored to join the storied Product Development team at Boeing at this important time in history, and to connect the pioneering technologies and bold spirit of innovation we've cultivated at Wisk. Sebastien is an incredible leader, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him and the Wisk team as we fly Gen 6, progress our certification program, and enter service.'
A wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing, Wisk will continue to operate as is and lead the path forward on bringing the first autonomous, passenger-carrying aircraft to market in the U.S.
Sebastien Vigneron brings over 20 years of experience in new aircraft development to his role as CEO. Before joining Wisk in 2021, Sebastien was Vice President of Product Development Engineering and Chief Engineer at Virgin Hyperloop where he led the development of the Hyperloop system, a new mode of transportation from requirements capture through design, build, and test. He also held leadership and technical roles at Bombardier and Dassault Aviation, developing type-certified aircraft from initial concept through flight testing and certification. He has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from École Polytechnique in France and a Master's degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.
About Wisk
Wisk is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company dedicated to creating a future for air travel that elevates people, communities, and aviation. Wisk is developing the first autonomous, passenger-carrying electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi in the U.S. Wisk is a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with locations around the world. With over a decade of experience and over 1750+ test flights, Wisk is shaping the future of daily commutes and urban travel, safely and sustainably. Learn more about Wisk here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Epoch Times
2 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Boeing Signs $1.1 Billion Non-Prosecution Deal in 737 MAX Crash Case, Admits to Criminal Fraud
Boeing has signed a $1.1 billion deal with the Department of Justice (DOJ) that allows the aerospace giant to avoid criminal prosecution for deceiving federal regulators prior to two deadly 737 MAX crashes. Under a final non-prosecution
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
Boeing enters into Non-Prosecution Agreement with DOJ
According to a regulatory filing, on May 29, 2025, Boeing (BA) entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that, subject to court proceedings, resolves matters relating to the Department's determination that the company did not fulfill its obligations under the previously-disclosed Deferred Prosecution Agreement entered into by the company and the Department on January 6, 2021. Pursuant to the NPA, the company is subject to a $487.2M overall criminal monetary penalty, $243.6M of which was paid in 2021 pursuant to the DPA and the remaining $243.6M of which was included in amounts expensed by the company in 2024 pursuant to the proposed plea agreement between the company and the Department filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on July 24, 2024. The NPA also requires the Company, among other things, to (1) pay $444.5M in additional compensation to the heirs and/or beneficiaries of those who died in the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accidents, (2) to invest $455M in the Company's compliance, safety, and quality programs through the end of the term of the NPA, (3) to retain an independent compliance consultant to assess the Company's progress regarding remediation and implementation of the compliance measures described in the NPA and the attachments thereto, (4) to continue to implement a compliance program, and (5) to continue to undertake a review of its internal controls, policies and procedures. The Department agreed that it will not further criminally prosecute the Company for any conduct described in the NPA provided that the Company performs all of its obligations under the NPA, including those described above. The NPA has a term of two years from the date on which the Company retains the independent compliance consultant, unless the NPA is extended or terminated earlier as described therein. Confident Investing Starts Here:
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Boeing agrees billion dollar deal over 737 Max crashes
Boeing has agreed to pay $1.1bn (£811.5m) to avoid prosecution over two fatal airline crashes that killed 346 people. The payments are part of a settlement with the US Justice Department (DOJ) over crashes involving 737 Max jets in October 2018 and March 2019. The agreement includes the US aviation giant paying $444.5m to families of crash victims. It will also put $455m towards improving its compliance, safety and quality programmes. Under the deal, Boeing also agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $487.2m, with half of that already paid in 2021. "Boeing is committed to complying with its obligations under this resolution, which include a substantial additional fine and commitments to further institutional improvements and investments," said a company spokesperson. If the deal is approved by a federal judge the plane maker will avoid a criminal fraud trial, which was due to begin on 23 June. The BBC has contacted the DOJ to request comment on the agreement. Two 737 Max aircraft crashed in separate but almost identical accidents that killed 346 people. In October 2018, all 189 people on a Lion Air flight died after the aircraft crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after take-off from Jakarta, Indonesia. In March 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed six minutes after take-off from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. All 157 people on-board were killed. Both crashes were linked to faulty flight control systems. "We are deeply sorry for their losses, and remain committed to honouring their loved ones' memories by pressing forward with the broad and deep changes to our company", said Boeing.
