As Product Chief Engineer, Buddy leads the development of Electra’s nine-passenger electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) production aircraft. He ensures a customer-focused balance between safety, technical excellence, and value in Electra’s eSTOL aircraft, designed to meet the growing demand for cost-effective, sustainable urban and regional air travel.

‍

Prior to joining Electra, Buddy worked in product development for Piper Aircraft, Eclipse Aviation, Sensenich Propeller, and Pratt & Whitney. For over three decades he has held product development positions of increasing responsibility in design, flight sciences, test operations, certification, and technical leadership.

‍

As Chief Product Officer and Chief Engineer at Piper Aircraft, Sessoms led the conceptual design, flight sciences, and test operations for the Piper M600 and M700. He also helped validate the products designed under his leadership as both test pilot and flight test engineer. Flight testing the Eclipse EA500, PiperJet, and M600 aircraft provided an exceptional development life cycle foundation for all future product development.

‍

Buddy earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He is also a former Federal Aviation Administration Designated Engineering Representative and Organization Designation Authorization Unit Member.