Industrial aviation provider Bristow Group appointed William (Bill) Collins as senior vice president of global operations, the company said Oct. 5.

Collins will handle improvement of operational safety, reliability and efficiency for helicopter and airplane clients. He will report directly to President and CEO Jonathan Baliff.

Collins replaces Chet Akiri in the role. Akiri, who is the chief commercial officer, has also been the acting senior vice president of global of operations since April. Akiri will continue reporting to Baliff.

Most recently, Collins was the vice president of aircraft, engine and components operations at American Airlines, handling the overhaul division in the Americas, Asia and Europe. While at American Airlines, Collins successfully generated $450 million in cost savings and improved operational efficiencies.

Prior to working there, Collins worked in the aviation systems division of General Electric from 2004 to 2010, and prior to that, worked at Moog Inc., Bell Technologies, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Bristow Group is based in Houston.