Heli hires: Verticon organiser VAI appoints new leaders

Verticon organiser VAI has made a series of senior appointments.

Vertical Aviation International (VAI) – the organiser of next month’s Verticon 2026 event – has promoted Cade Clark to the role of the role of executive vice president and Sarah Arnold to the job of chief of staff. Both appointments are designed to strengthen accountability, support the achievement of goals and reinforce governance as VAI grows in scale and complexity, according to the organisation.

“VAI is moving into a phase where clarity in leadership and ownership of outcomes matters,” said François Lassale, president and CEO of VAI. “These updates give us a structure built for execution, with defined authority, tighter coordination, and a senior team positioned to deliver.”

As executive vice president of VAI, Clark will serve as the president and CEO’s principal deputy. He holds responsibility for VAI’s externally facing functions, including government affairs, membership and industry engagement, conventions and events, education, data programs, and future technologies. Clark has been with the association since 2017, most recently serving as the chief government affairs officer.

As VAI chief of staff, Arnold will lead the president/CEO office and has enterprise-wide responsibility for internal coordination, planning, and execution. She will oversee workflow across the organisation, support executive and board decision-making and maintain alignment between strategy, governance, and delivery.

Arnold joined the association in 2018 and has served as executive assistant to the president and CEO, director of corporate affairs, and interim senior executive administrator. In her new role she will continue as corporate secretary for the VAI Board of Directors.

The appointments are designed to work as a single operating system, said Lassale. “Cade drives external engagement and strategic outcomes; Sarah drives internal alignment and execution. Together, they reinforce accountability and ensure we deliver for members,” he said.

In other appointments, Theresa Marr has been promoted to senior director of government affairs. In the run up to Verticon, Emily Monahan has been promoted to assistant director, exhibits and experience.

Verticon 2026 will take place at Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta between March 9th to March 12th, 2026. Read some of the highlights from last year’s event here.

Meanwhile, Helicopter Investor will be visiting Verticon and if you have a story that would interest the global helicopter industry, please let us know. Safe travels.

VAI appointments – at a glance

• Cade Clark promoted to executive vice president of VAI
• Sarah Arnold appointed VAI chief of staff
• Theresa Marr promoted to senior director of government affairs
• Emily Monahan has been promoted to assistant director, exhibits and experience.