Nexcelle appoints Kenneth Onderko as President of the GE Aviation/Safran engine nacelle joint venture

Cincinnati, Ohio, December 14, 2016 – Kenneth Onderko has been named President of Nexcelle, the joint venture of GE Aviation’s Middle River Aircraft Systems and Safran Nacelles that provides engine nacelles for integrated propulsion systems on jetliners and business jets.

Onderko is a GE employee whose career encompasses a variety of design, project engineering and management positions. His experience includes responsibilities ranging from new product development, production technology and product growth strategy to reliability, lifecycle management and customer satisfaction.   

He previously was the GE-appointed Executive Vice President at Nexcelle, overseeing program execution and operations since October 2014, while working closely with the parent companies’ respective teams as the joint venture pursued the development, certification and production ramp-up for its nacelle products.

“This is an exciting time for Nexcelle, and I am very pleased to be leading the joint venture as its two current programs achieve important milestones,” explained Onderko. “Our nacelle system for the GE Aviation Passport engine just completed its first takeoff with Bombardier’s Global 7000 business jet; while the COMAC C919 airliner is being readied for its maiden flight, powered by the CFM International LEAP-1C powerplant that incorporates an innovative Nexcelle nacelle design.”

In his past responsibilities for GE, Onderko held roles and management duties for the GP7200 high-thrust turbofan engine, which was developed in a GE Aviation joint venture with Pratt & Whitney; and helped guide the GE Aviation CF34-8Growth and CF34-10E programs through their engineering development and entry into service. Onderko also was the GEnx Product Line Manufacturing Technology Manager, and led the TAPS (twin annular premixing swirler combustor) development program with the TECH56 engine systems team.

In addition, he served as Product Line Leader for the LMS100 at GE Power and Water, responsible for the lifecycle management of this 100-MW-category gas turbine powerplant.

Onderko has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Youngstown State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University. He became a certified Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma business improvement methodologies while working in GE Aviation’s Small Commercial Engines Operation.