Erickson Inc. has named Doug Kitani as its new CEO and director, the company said. Kitani’s appointment was effective as of Thursday.

“We are delighted to welcome Doug to the team,” said Erickson Chairman Jim Continenza. “As an accomplished aerospace and defense CEO with vast government services experience, Doug brings a unique skill set to Erickson and we feel confident he will be able to leverage Erickson’s unique capabilities into new markets while continuing to support and grow our existing relationships.”

Most recently, Kitani served as CEO and director of defense services company IAP Worldwide Services. Erickson said he has also served in leadership positions at DynCorp International, Honeywell International and General Electric. A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, Kitani was qualified in the Bell Helicopter UH-1 and OH-58, and Sikorsky UH-60, while completing 11 years of active and reserve duty.

Andrew Mills, who was serving as Erickson’s acting president and CEO, will continue to serve in an executive role at the company.

In May, Erickson said it had emerged from Chapter 11 U.S. bankruptcy protection.

“We are very pleased to have completed our financial restructuring in such an efficient and timely manner. Chapter 11 allowed us to achieve rationalization of our aircraft fleet and deliver our balance sheet by over $400 million in debt. We are exiting the restructuring process with significant available liquidity to fund the company’s present and future business opportunities,” said Jeff Roberts, Erickson's then-president and CEO. Roberts' resignation became effective a few days after this announcement. “With a stronger financial foundation and reduced cost structure, we are well positioned under the new business model to fund our operations and to further develop and expand our business in order to better serve our customers and enhance value for all stakeholders for years to come.”