Above: a LIAT plane

By Alexander Britell

Caribbean air carrier LIAT has appointed David Evans as its new Chief Executive Officer, the company’s Board of Directors announced Monday.

Evans, a native of the United Kingdom, takes over for Julie Reifer-Jones, who had been serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer since the resignation of former CEO Captain Ian Brunton in September 2013.

He takes over the reins of a company in transition, currently in the midst of a major refleeting programme and suffering from continued complaints over poor customer service and efficiency.

Above: David Evans

Evans, who has almost four decades of experience in the aviation industry, was most recently a consultant on strategic and commercial issues in the Middle East.

In the late 1990s he served as a managing director for British Airways Regional, and has held posts with British Airways in countries including East Africa, Saudi Arabia, France, the Phillipines, China, Denmark and the United States, among others.

The US position included the responsibility for the airline’s activities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Evans has also worked with the United Nations Development Programme.

Evans will take over as CEO effective April 22, according to the company.