Peter Christman, Jr., is President of Pratt & Whitney Power Systems in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA. He was a member of the management team of Energy Services, Inc. (ESI) and Energy Maintenance Corp. (EMC) prior to joining Pratt & Whitney. In 2002, he took management responsibility for the Large Engine Business of Pratt & Whitney Power Systems and then was selected in 2003 to lead the entire business of Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, a division of the United Technologies Corporation.

Walter D. Downing, P.E., is Executive Vice President at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, USA. He serves as the chief operating officer of SwRI, an independent, nonprofit, applied research and development organization that addresses clients’ needs in the physical sciences and engineering disciplines. He directs the twelve technical operating divisions and is a member of the SwRI Board. Previous positions at SwRI include senior research engineer in electronics systems and vice president of Avionics and Support Systems.

Colin Smith is Director of Engineering and Technology at Rolls-Royce plc in Derby, UK. He joined Rolls-Royce as an undergraduate apprentice in 1974 and worked as Chief Engineer on the Trent 700 engine and the Trent 500 engine, Head of Engineering for Compressors and Fans, and Director of Research & Technology. He has served in his current position since 2005 when he also became a member of the Board of Rolls-Royce. Smith is a Royal Academy Silver Medal winner.