Leadership

Transformation starts with people.

Experts in every field, they’re united by shared values, a vision for the changing world, and a common goal: provide affordable, inclusive, and sustainable mobility solutions that benefit people and society.

Jaiwon Shin

CEO

Jaiwon is responsible for building the company’s strategic and operational direction globally. For 11 years, Jaiwon led NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, where he shaped the agency’s aeronautics research and development efforts. Jaiwon also co-chaired the White House National Science and Technology Council’s Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee and the USAF / NASA Executive Research Committee. He is an internationally recognized leader in the aviation community and has been awarded the Presidential Rank Award twice (2008 and 2016), the highest accolade presented to public officials.

Ben Diachun

Chief Technology Officer

Over the past 20 years, Ben has been building sustainable high-growth companies and revolutionary new aerospace vehicles. Most recently, Ben served as the chief executive officer at Opener, an aerospace startup in Silicon Valley. Prior to joining Opener, Ben held the position of president of Scaled Composites in Mojave, California building breakthrough experimental aircraft. His past projects include building the around-the-world non-stop, non-refueled aircraft, Globalflyer; the first commercial manned spaceship, SpaceShipOne; and BlackFly, an electric personal air vehicle.

Iksoo Chun

Chief Financial Officer

Iksoo serves as chief financial officer and manager of the board for Supernal. He manages and oversees all aspects of corporate finance, from accounting to mergers and acquisitions to investor relations, among other responsibilities. Iksoo also serves as a strategic counselor to his Executive Committee peers and other business leaders. Before Supernal, Iksoo worked at Hyundai Motor Company for 11 years, serving in various finance roles, each with increased responsibility and visibility.

Jonathan Moss

Vice President, General Counsel

Jon provides legal counsel to guide the development of Supernal’s global operations. Prior to joining, he served as U.S. Department of Transportation’s assistant general counsel for regulation in 2015 where, as a member of the Senior Executive Service, he provided expert legal guidance on rulemaking and regulatory issues affecting the Department across all modes of transportation. Jon was previously managing director of international and regulatory affairs at United Airlines and worked in a range of practice areas at major U.S. law firms.

Mike Whitaker

Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Mike is responsible for public advocacy, legislative and regulatory affairs in all markets where Supernal will operate. From 2013 to 2016, he served as the deputy administrator at the Federal Aviation Administration, where he oversaw the program to upgrade the U.S. Air Traffic System, and stood up the Agency’s first dedicated UAS organization. Prior to that, Mike served as senior vice president of Alliances and International and Regulatory Affairs at United Airlines.

Locations

Strategically positioned where policy-making and innovation happen.

Washington D.C.

Headquarters

Centrally located a few blocks north of the White House and in the heart of the business district. Select functions include policy, corporate communications and brand, and business development and partnerships.

Irvine

Engineering

Southern California is the official home for vehicle development simulations and flight testing. Our engineering team has developed more than 36 aerial vehicles and aircrafts and holds more than 58 patents.

Silicon Valley

Research & Development

The R&D team is charged with a dual purpose of developing software and battery management systems that will enable our vehicles to take flight, as well as identifying, incubating, and accelerating new technologies.