CFM International (CFM) today named Gaël Méheust as its new president and chief executive officer, effectively immediately.

Mr. Méheust is replacing Jean-Paul Ebanga, who had served as CFM president and CEO since February 2011 and who move on to another position within Safran.

CFM, the 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, is headquartered in West Chester, Ohio, near Cincinnati. The company was formed in 1974 and the two parent companies have extended partnership agreement to the year 2040.

In his new position, Mr. Méheust will serve as the company's global representative in its relationships with customers, government agencies, industry associations, and the media. He will provide corporate leadership for the integrated management of the joint company, as well as serve as a key interface between the top management levels at GE and Safran. He will also have responsibility for the world-wide brand awareness and reputation of CFM.

After achieving a Master's degree in international business from the University of Rouen, Mr. Méheust joined Hispano-Suiza*, which was part of the Snecma group at the time, in 1984, and was named sales and marketing director for nacelles and thrust reversers two years later.

In 1989, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as Snecma's representative for CFM56 military applications. He returned to France in 1992 when he was named head of Business Development at Techspace Aero in 1992. Mr. Méheust moved to Snecma* in 1995 to become part of the commercial engine sales team, with responsibility for key European accounts. Three years later, he was appointed CF6-80** engine program vice president, with sales responsibility for all large turbofan engine programs.

In 2001, he was named Snecma's CFM representative with Airbus in Toulouse, France, followed in 2003 by his appointment as general manager of Airbus Programs at Safran corporate level.

From September 2007 until March 2010, Mr. Méheust headed the France and United Kingdom engineering business units for Labinal*.

In March 2010, he was named to his most recent post as executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Safran Aircraft Engines. In this role, he played an integral role in the launch of the LEAP engine program which, to date, have garnered nearly 11,600 orders.