Mr. Smith has successfully managed or contributed substantially to each EMEDS application since its inception. These include especially the adaptation of EMEDS to the stabilizers and wing tips of the Marine Multi-Mission Aircraft, (The Boeing Company) the Premier 1 Hybrid Ice Protection System, the Hawker 4000 (previously Horizon) Horizontal Stabilizer Ice Protection System, and the Honda Light Jet Airplane Horizontal Stabilizer Ice Protection System. He has managed each of these programs to a successful conclusion, has communicated with each customer and subcontractor, and has directed Cox resources including engineering, Quality Control, Manufacturing and Customer Support.
Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Materials Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has served in various departments and programs during his time at Cox, holding positions such as Quality Assurance Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Project Engineer and Engineering Project Manager.
Mr. Nocera joined Cox & Company in 2020. He is currently responsible for overseeing the Accounting, Human Resources, and Payroll Departments as well as administering the 401(k), ESOP, risk management and treasury processes. He has over 30 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry working at companies such as Telephonics Corporation, L3 Technologies and Curtiss-Wright. Prior to joining Cox, Mr. Nocera held various positions of financial leadership including Controller, VP of Finance and Chief Financial Officer throughout his career.
Mr. Nocera has a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and an M.B.A. from Dowling College, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Taxation from Long Island University (C.W. Post). He is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in NY.
Dr. Al-Khalil has been employed at Cox & Company since 1994. He was the Principal Investigator of three NASA SBIR contracts that successfully completed Phase-II developments of new ice protection system technologies and ice crystal simulation in icing wind tunnels. Dr. Al-Khalil holds two patents on Cox Hybrid Ice Protection Systems that are currently used on two business jets and a large UAV aircraft. Also, Dr. Al-Khalil was the project lead to design and fabricate a new spray bar system for simulating high altitude ice crystal environments in the NASA Glenn Propulsion Systems Lab. He has led thermal ice protection system programs for heated fairings and engine intakes on fixed wing and rotorcraft, and directs the development of new low power deicing technologies.
He holds a Doctorate in Engineering Science from the University of Toledo where he studied the physics of runback water on thermally anti-iced aircraft surfaces. He worked in the Icing Technology Branch at the NASA Glenn Research Center, as a recipient of a National Research Council award. While at NASA, Dr. Al-Khalil developed the ANTICE computer code for electro-thermal and hot air anti-icing systems simulation, which is currently integrated in the NASA LEWICE icing simulation code.
Ms. Santala joined Cox & Co. in 2020 with a background in aerospace manufacturing as Director of Quality for John Hassall, manufacturer of custom, high-precision metal fasteners for engine systems. Her experience includes quality system management, final inspection, continuous improvement and root cause - corrective action investigation.
Laura holds a B.S. in Materials Engineering and M.S. in Materials Science/Metallurgy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She also has certifications from the American Society for Quality in Quality Management, Audit and Lean Six Sigma.
After working as a design engineer at General Electric for one year, Mr. Bozek joined Cox & Company in 1986, just one year after graduating from Manhattan College with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. As a design and project engineer, he worked on mechanical packaging of temperature controllers along with heater designs for a number of electro-thermal ice protection systems. He received his MS degree from Columbia University in Mechanical Engineering in 1991 with a specialization in thermal system design. In 1992, he was promoted to the position of Senior Project Engineer for all composite programs within the company.
In 1996, he was awarded a patent for a rail coupler heater that is installed on more 5,000 trains used throughout the US and Canada. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Manager of Customer Support, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations with all customers, including field service operations and training. In 2007, he was promoted to Marketing Manager and put in charge of all new proposals and direct sales and marketing activities. After playing a key role on many new programs including P-8A, AW129, AW189, B787, A350 and AH-64E, he was promoted to his present position in 2017 to focus on joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions and new product development.
Mr. Karalekas joined Cox & Company in 1998. He began working in our Customer Support department with the main function of overseeing customer returns on our Saab 340 engine anti ice inlet product line. Since that time, he has assumed the position of Sales Manager where he currently oversees the Contracts and Customer Support Department. While attending college and prior to working at Cox Gus worked with American Airlines as a customer service representative.
Mr. Karalekas holds a Masters of Business Administration in General Business Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics from Dowling College.
Mr. Persaud joined Cox in 1989 as an electrical test inspector. Since that time, he has moved to his current position of Director of Operations where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the following departments: composite fabrication and finishing, electronics assembly, temperature control, deicing assembly, and facilities.
Mr. Persaud holds education certificates in Radio and Electronics Servicing, Technical Telecommunication, and Managerial Techniques for Supervisors.
Mr. Fetter joined Cox & Company in 2010 and brings more than 20 years of experience in infrastructure, systems technology, operations management, and enterprise IT leadership. Throughout his career, he has held progressive roles including Consultant, Systems Manager, Manager of Information Systems, and Director of Information Systems. As Director of Information Systems at Cox & Company, he leads IT Operations, ensuring 24/7 uptime, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment with business objectives.
Prior to joining Cox & Company, Mr. Fetter served as Director of Information Systems at DOAR Litigation Consulting, where he focused on implementing cutting-edge enterprise technology solutions, best practices, and operational consistency. With a strong foundation in both technology and business strategy, Mr. Fetter bridges executive leadership and technical execution. He builds and manages high-performing IT teams while overseeing Infrastructure, Systems, Communication Technologies, Security & Compliance, and Technical Support functions.
Mr. Fetter holds a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Old Westbury.