Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com
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| Continental's Fairhope facility. |
CONTINENTAL AEROSPACE
According to a company press release today, Keith Chatten has replaced Fairhope resident Karen Hong as CEO/President of Continental Aerospace which operates a repair facility at the city's H L Sonny Callahan airport:
"... Mr. Chatten is an established aviation executive with more than 30 years of experience across the general aviation industry. He returns to Continental having previously spent nearly 15 years at the Company across a variety of engineering and leadership roles. His deep experience in engineering, commercial and operational leadership, combined with his understanding of Continental’s products and the pilots who depend on them, positions him to lead the Company as it strengthens its manufacturing operations, expands its aftermarket support network and delivers its next generation of engines.... ."
Other top management at the company were replaced as well.
COMPANY OWNERSHIP CHANGE THE REASON
After being declared a Chinese military company earlier this year by the Department of Defense, former majority-owner 'Aviation Industries of China' (AVIC) sold the company to Tennessee-based 'Arcline Investments'.
Hong is now working for Kaden Investments Ltd. based in Los Angeles, according to her Linkedin page.
From a June 2026 'Business Alabama' magazine article:
"Karen Hong, president and chief executive officer of Continental Aerospace Technologies™, recently received the Career Mastered National Women’s Trailblazer Leadership Award, in recognition of her leadership, professional achievements and commitment to developing people and organizations ... ."
From a June 2026 FT report:
"According to Politico and other reports, the Department of Defense just reclassified Mobile-based Continental Aerospace as a "Chinese Military Company" prohibiting the pentagon from doing business with the firm; it does not change its private commercial operating status though (document at bottom).
The Mobile-based company has a long aircraft
service/maintenance history at the city's H.L. Sonny Callahan airport;
in 2011 the company was acquired by AVIC, Aviation Industries of China
based in Peking, China.
Continental was also the airport's FBO (fixed base operator) for many years -- until August of 2024 when 'Flightline First' took over.
Military trainers from Florida's Whiting Field have routinely used the airport for practice landings over the years too.
Last week the private equity firm 'Arcline Investment Management' announced it was acquiring Continental for $535 million."