Company History
In the 1950s, John W. Heaton was a mechanic working at the Owens Corning’s fiberglass facility in Anderson, South Carolina. He spent most of his nights making replacement items for the company on a contracted basis. When Owens Corning announced its new facility in Aiken, South Carolina, John moved there and started a new machine shop, Precision Machine Works. During the 1960s, PMW grew in its core market, the fiberglass industry. In the 1970s, John’s son, Charlie, joined the company with a vision of adding CNC machining capabilities. With this evolution, PMW expanded into new industries as a precision parts manufacturer. Third generation Ashley Heaton became Chairman and President in 2002, and by 2015, PMW was certified for both ISO9001 and AS9100. In 2019, following a highly successful project in the space industry, Ashley set out to establish a company focused on the complex and demanding needs of the Aerospace and Defense industry. This company was PMW Aero with its current state-of-the-art facility in Liberty, SC to support customers in the Aerospace and Defense industries.
PMW Aero’s leadership team is built on a foundation of technical expertise, operational discipline, and hands-on manufacturing experience. Our executives understand aerospace not only from the boardroom, but from the engineering desk and the shop floor — aligning strategy, systems, and execution to deliver precision at scale.
Chairman & Co-President
Ashley Heaton
Ashley is the Chairman and President of PMW Aero. He received his BS in Business Administration and Management from The Citadel, also known as The Military College of South Carolina. He has over 25 years of manufacturing and operating experience. Since joining PMW in 1995, Ashley has been integral to growing the company by expanding capabilities and diversifying the customer base of the company his grandfather founded in the 1950s. Ashley led the establishment of PMW Aero in Liberty, SC with best-in-class manufacturing capabilities and a staff focused on the processes, quality, and procedures required to be successful in these highly regulated industries.
Chairman - Board
Bill McLendon
Bill serves as the Chairman of the Board at PMW Aero. He has over 30 years of experience in the aerospace & defense industry and has held multiple CEO and C-level positions. He has provided Congressional liaison services for the National Air Transportation Association, and worked closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization on simulation technology. He oversaw operations at some of the largest aerial terminals in the world for the Department of Defense, led technical services for a chain of private jet aircraft, and oversaw key ground support for major airlines at the nation’s busiest airports. He has led large organizations, including product development, engineering, manufacturing, and services for the high-tech 5th generation aircraft. Bill received his BS in Engineering Mechanics from the US Air Force Academy and attended Oxford University, England, as a Rhodes Scholar receiving his BA and MA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics.
Co-President
Phil Quist
Phil is the Co-President at PMW Aero. He has over 30 years of experience in multiple programs and operational leadership roles in the aerospace & defense business. Formerly the Vice Chairman of SeaTec Consulting, Phil is an Operating Partner at Banbury Private Capital, an aerospace & defense-focused private equity firm. Phil has led major aerospace integration programs encompassing technology program development and implementation, business processes, and organizational redesign. Phil was VP of Operations and Business Development at Louis Berger Services and was responsible for the integration of maintenance information technology systems for a major US airline and the US military. He has also led technology engagements for several national brands. Phil studied Computer Engineering at Clemson University and later served as a faculty member.
General Manager and Vice President of Supply Chain & Program Management
Dr. Samuel Connor
Dr. Samuel Connor serves as General Manager and Vice President of Supply Chain & Program Management at PMW Aero. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and completed his Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management at The George Washington University in 2022.
Dr. Connor brings more than 10 years of aerospace manufacturing and operational leadership experience. Since joining PMW in 2023, he has played a critical role in expanding the company’s aerospace footprint and strengthening customer partnerships.
He has been instrumental in building a best-in-class manufacturing operation with a team focused on disciplined processes, rigorous quality systems, and the procedures required to succeed in the highly regulated aerospace industry. In his current role, Dr. Connor oversees supply chain strategy, program execution, and cross-functional coordination to ensure on-time delivery, operational excellence, and scalable growth.
Vice President of Engineering and Production
Aaron Dorriety
Aaron Dorriety serves as Vice President of Engineering & Production at PMW Aero.
Aaron attended Milligan University, studying Business Administration and Management, and holds a degree in Machine Tool Technology and Manufacturing Engineering from Florence-Darlington Technical College. This blend of business education and technical training enables him to bridge engineering strategy with operational performance.
Aaron’s leadership is rooted in the shop floor. Raised in a machining family, he grew up in manufacturing under the mentorship of his father, developing an early appreciation for precision, craftsmanship, and the discipline required in high-performance production environments. That foundation continues to shape his practical, results-driven leadership style.
With more than 15 years of experience leading machining and manufacturing teams, Aaron understands every layer of the operation — from spindle time and tool paths to production flow and customer delivery. In his current role, he is focused on building scalable systems, strengthening production discipline, and advancing PMW Aero’s capabilities in the highly regulated aerospace industry.
Vice President of Quality
Robbie Kilgus
Robbie Kilgus serves as Vice President of Quality at PMW Aero, leading the company’s quality systems, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives across all operations.
With more than 30 years of experience in automotive, defense, and aerospace manufacturing, Robbie brings deep expertise in regulated quality systems and operational process control. His career has been defined by building disciplined, scalable quality infrastructures that support high-performance manufacturing in demanding industries.
Robbie holds an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College; a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and a Master of Science in Management from Southern Wesleyan University. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Six Sigma Green Belt (Rolls-Royce), and holds ASQ certifications in both Quality Auditing and Quality Engineering. He also maintains an NQA-1 Nuclear Auditor certification.
At PMW Aero, Robbie oversees the AS9100-compliant quality management system and works cross-functionally with engineering, production, and supply chain leadership to ensure full traceability, customer compliance, and consistent execution. His leadership strengthens PMW Aero’s commitment to operational excellence and delivering precision-manufactured components that meet the highest aerospace standards.
EVP of Sales and Business Development
James Palacios
James is the EVP of Sales & Business Development at PMW Aero. He has over 35 years of experience in executive sales and various senior customer facing roles in manufacturing, technical aftermarket services and customer programs in international markets. He has held multiple senior leadership positions at engine and aircraft MROs and OEMs as well as with technical services and consulting companies providing Aircraft and Engine Fleet Asset Management services. Most recently he served as VP Sales for a prominent CNC machining company where he led Global Sales. His customer-centric philosophy will drive the highest level of satisfaction for PMW Aero customers. James is a graduate of UT Knoxville with an Aerospace MBA and received his BS from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Advisor
Dan Sims
Dan has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles in aerospace and defense manufacturing with specific expertise in operations, sales, product development, manufacturing, operational excellence, program management, and aftermarket. His firm, DN Sims Group has had multiple engagements with aerospace manufacturing companies, investment firms, and economic development entities. Previously, Dan held multiple senior leadership positions at Triumph Group including President of a Triumph operating company and Corporate Vice President responsible for multiple operating companies. Dan received his BS in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University.