Vice President, Advanced Tiltrotor Systems, Bell Helicopter
Keith Flail is the Vice President, Advanced Tiltrotor Systems, responsible for developing and executing Bell Helicopter’s initiative to design and produce next generation tiltrotors that meet and exceed future vertical lift requirements, to include the Bell V-280 Valor and the Bell V-247 Vigilant (unmanned). In his previous role, Keith was the Vice President, Global Military Business Development for Bell Helicopter. In this capacity, he was responsible for the customer interface, global strategy, market development and major fleet sales of V-22, AH-1Z, UH-1Y, V-280 and OH-58 aircraft worldwide. Prior to that, Keith was the Director, Joint Multi Role (JMR) and Future Vertical Lift (FVL) for Bell Helicopter.
Keith is originally from Reading, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York in 1989 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned as an officer into the aviation branch of the United States Army, where he completed an Army career of over 21 years. Keith served in a variety of aviation operational assignments both stateside and overseas. Keith is very familiar with Bell products, as he flew Hueys, Kiowas, and Kiowa Warriors while on active duty. Additionally, Keith served in operations research, requirements, resourcing, acquisition, and program management positions during his Army career. After retiring from the Army, Keith was employed with Lockheed Martin where he worked both Apache helicopter and advanced programs initiatives in fire control systems, sensors, weapons, and ISR. He joined Bell in July 2012.
Keith has a Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University. He is an Army Acquisition professional and Level III certified in Program Management. His military education includes OH-58A/C Kiowa Instructor Pilot Course, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Qualification Course, and Command & General Staff College. Keith’s Army awards include the Legion of Merit, Senior Aviator Badge, and Ranger Tab.