Woodward Announces Key Leadership Changes to Drive Growth and Innovation; Shawn McLevige Appointed President of Aerospace Segment
Woodward, Inc. a global leader in energy control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets, has announced a series of significant leadership changes aimed at supporting the company’s ongoing growth strategy, enhancing innovation, and reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence. The appointments, which underscore Woodward’s focus on leveraging its deep bench of talent, will take effect on October 1, 2025.
At the center of these changes is the appointment of Shawn McLevige as President of Woodward’s Aerospace Segment. In his new capacity, McLevige will report directly to Chip Blankenship, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and will serve as a key member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
McLevige’s appointment reflects both his extensive experience and his long-standing contributions to Woodward. He first joined the company in 2008 as a program manager and has since progressed through a variety of senior leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Engine and Turbine Fluid Systems for the Industrial segment, where he was responsible for driving business performance and advancing innovative solutions for customers. Prior to that, he held the position of Vice President and General Manager of Aerospace Fuel Systems & Controls, playing a critical role in advancing Woodward’s aerospace capabilities.
Throughout his tenure, McLevige has also served as Vice President of Research and Development and Director of Operations, building a career marked by technical expertise, operational leadership, and strategic vision. Before joining Woodward, he spent seven years at Honeywell, working as a systems engineer in the aerospace sector. His academic credentials include both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois, as well as an MBA with a Systems Engineering Certification from Arizona State University.
McLevige succeeds Terry Voskuil, who has served as President of the Aerospace Segment since October 2023. Voskuil will transition into the newly created position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Aerospace, where he will lead the company’s aerospace technology roadmap. As CTO, he will continue reporting to Blankenship and remain a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
Voskuil’s career at Woodward spans more than three and a half decades, beginning in 1989 when he joined as a production engineer. Over the years, he has taken on various engineering, profit-and-loss, and business leadership roles, consistently contributing to the company’s success. His leadership was instrumental in the development and growth of major programs such as LEAP and GTF, as well as in expanding Woodward’s aerospace services and automation strategies. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Voskuil brings unmatched institutional knowledge and technical expertise to his new CTO position.
The company also announced that Alison Seward has been appointed Vice President and General Manager of Engine and Turbine Fluid Systems for the Industrial segment, succeeding McLevige in that role. Seward joined Woodward in 2024 as Vice President of Quality for the Industrial segment, where she led global quality initiatives, implemented advanced systems, and championed automation and product management strategies.
Before joining Woodward, Seward spent 23 years at GE Appliances, a Haier company, rising to the role of Executive Director of Manufacturing Quality. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Louisville and will report to Randy Hobbs, President of the Industrial segment.
“These leadership changes reflect the accomplishments of key talent within Woodward and our continued commitment to creating shareholder value as we serve ongoing robust customer demand across our markets,” said Blankenship. “Shawn is well prepared to lead our Aerospace segment as Terry transitions to his new CTO role, and we enter our next phase of growth. Shawn is a talented leader with deep technical, commercial, and operations expertise in Aerospace and an impressive track record of success in transformative change, strategic planning, and execution across both our Aerospace and Industrial businesses. I’m looking forward to having him join the Executive Leadership Team.”
The leadership transitions highlight Woodward’s strategy of promoting from within, leveraging the deep experience and expertise of its senior leaders to maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace. The company’s focus on leadership continuity and technical innovation is designed to ensure sustained growth while meeting the evolving needs of aerospace and industrial customers worldwide.
With McLevige leading the Aerospace segment, Voskuil guiding technology development, and Seward advancing the Industrial segment’s engine and turbine systems business, Woodward is positioning itself to deliver on both current market demands and future growth opportunities. These changes, combined with the company’s robust engineering capabilities and long-standing customer partnerships, reinforce its position as a trusted leader in energy control solutions across multiple industries.
