John Illson

John Illson joined Supernal in January 2022 as the organization’s Chief Safety Officer. In this role, John is responsible for development of Supernal’s safety management system as well as the organization’s environmental, health, and workplace safety programs.

John began his aviation career as a pilot, flying as captain for a major U.S. air carrier over a twenty-seven-year period. He also held management positions in the airline’s flight training department.

In 2005, John transitioned to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as Assistant Director of Safety where he led the development of industry information sharing initiatives.

In 2009, he joined the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) where he held the position of Chief, Operational Safety. In this capacity, John was responsible for developing international aviation standards related to airworthiness, flight operations, personnel licensing, and safety management.

John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Georgetown University as well as an MBA and Master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.