Executive Team

Dirkson R. Charles has been the CEO of Loar Group since its inception in January 2012.

Prior to his founding of the Loar Group, Mr. Charles was the executive vice president of McKechnie Aerospace, which he joined in the fall of 2007. At McKechnie he had responsibility for all aspects of financial operations for this multinational organization and was instrumental in all aspects of McKechnie’s financial and operational improvement. He founded Loar Group subsequent to the sale of McKechnie in December 2010.

Before joining McKechnie Aerospace, Mr. Charles held a similar position as executive vice president and chief financial officer with K&F Industries, a leading manufacturer of aviation wheels, brakes, fuel tanks and brake control systems that was acquired by Meggitt-USA in May 2007. In total, Mr. Charles had 17 years with K&F Industries, playing a key role in that company’s operational development as well as the successful IPO and subsequent sale to Meggitt. In addition, Mr. Charles was with Arthur Andersen and Company during the mid-1980s for five years where he supervised audit engagements and acquired expertise in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations.

Mr. Charles currently serves as the Chairman of Doncasters Group Limited, a position he has held since March of 2020. Mr. Charles also serves as a Director of Builders FirstSource, Inc. since June of 2022.

Mr. Charles holds an undergraduate degree in public accounting and a M.B.A. in finance from Pace University. He is a certified public accountant.

Brett Milgrim has been the Executive Co-Chairman of Loar Group since 2017.

From 1997 until his retirement in 2011, Mr. Milgrim was a Managing Director and Partner of JLL Partners (JLL), a New York-based private equity firm, where he was responsible for leading investments in JLL’s industrial vertical, including McKechnie Aerospace. Mr. Milgrim brings extensive experience in all areas of corporate finance and capital markets and his background involving the management of numerous aerospace and industrial companies is valuable in leading Loar’s overall corporate and acquisition strategies. Prior to joining JLL, Mr. Milgrim served in the Investment Banking department of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Mr. Milgrim also currently serves on the Board of Directors of three public companies: Builders FirstSource, Inc., PGT Innovations, Inc., and Horizon Global Corporation. Mr. Milgrim holds a Masters of Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s Degree from Emory University.

Glenn D’Alessandro joined Loar Group in February 2012 as the chief financial officer, with 21 years of prior experience in the aerospace industry. He is responsible for all Loar Group financial operations.

Prior to his employment at Loar Group, Mr. D’Alessandro was vice president and controller of McKechnie Aerospace, which he joined in January 2008. He was involved in all aspects of financial management, financial reporting and cash management until the sale of the company in December 2010.

Mr. D’Alessandro spent 17 years with K&F Industries in several financial roles, the latest as vice president and controller. He worked on numerous recapitalizations of the company and then oversaw a successful IPO as well as the subsequent sale of the company.

Mr. D’Alessandro is a certified public accountant and holds a degree in accounting.

Michael Manella, a 30-year veteran of the aerospace industry, directs all of Loar Group’s legal affairs as the company pursues its acquisition and growth strategy.

Before coming to Loar Group, Mr. Manella served as vice president and general counsel at McKechnie Aerospace overseeing all aspects of the company’s legal affairs including the sale of the company to TransDigm, Inc. He has also held senior legal and management positions at three other companies.

Mr. Manella holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Akron, an M.B.A. from Kent State University and a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law. Mr. Manella also completed the executive management program at the University of Oxford, Said Business School.

Jim Mullen is responsible for working with companies in the Loar Group portfolio to enhance product development and upgrade operational capability.

A former vice president of engineering and product development at Tyee Aircraft, a division of McKechnie Aerospace, Mr. Mullen has 35 years experience in the aerospace industry. His previous positions include operations, sales, marketing, and both manufacturing and design engineering.

Aside from a well-trained engineer with several continuing education certificates to his credit, Mr. Mullen is a private pilot and life-long member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, a group devoted to amateur building of experimental aircraft.

Doris Harms is responsible for the oversite for Safe Flight Instrument. Ms. Harms joined Loar in November 2013. Prior to Loar she was president of Electromech Technologies for 13 years where she managed four different company locations and was instrumental in the acquisition of a maquiladora located in Mexico. During her tenure at Electromech the company successfully maintained a strong customer base, added new business, expanded into new markets, developed new business units and built a strong executive team. Ms. Harms’ solid background in finance, operations, quality control, procurement and restructuring will drive Loar’s goal of future growth.

Ms. Harms earned a B.A. in business administration from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. She enjoys her three children and six wonderful grandchildren. She is also very active in several charity boards and events.

Michael Couitt joined the Loar Group in April 2018 as Executive Vice President, responsible for Terry's Precision Products, Applied Engineering, Freeman Company, Freeman Composites Company, BAM, DAC-EP, and Schroth Safety Products. Leveraging 20 years in the aerospace industry, Mr. Couitt is responsible for leading these organizations, improving operational performance with his extensive operations background as well as engaging in new business to support the company’s growth. Previously with Hartwell Corporation for the prior 18 years, Mr. Couitt held leadership positions at various times in operations, sales, and most recently leading the business as president.

Carol Marinello joined the Loar Group in January of 2022 as Executive Vice President, responsible for SMR Technologies, General Ecology Hydra Electric and CAV Systems. Ms. Marinello came to Loar with over 20 years in the Aerospace and Defense industry; most recently holding the role of President at TA Aerospace. During her tenure Ms. Marinello led the organization’s transition to new ownership while also expanding Bookings, EBITDA, and Sales. Prior to TA, Ms. Marinello held executive leadership roles at Crane Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Northrop Grumman.

Carol attended the University of California, Los Angeles, California State University, and National University from which she holds multiple degrees. Ms. Marinello is also a Board Director of Women in Defense, Greater Los Angeles Chapter.

Joined Loar in April 2024 Operational Leader for AGC, Gar Kenyon, Maverick Molding Company and Pacific Piston Ring.