Our Team
Expertise & Agility in aircraft seating solutions
AliceBluAero stands as a testament to the strength and capabilities of a seasoned team of aircraft seating experts, encompassing all facets from design and manufacturing to certification and production. We assure our airline partners that our compact, yet profoundly experienced team is uniquely positioned to deliver outstanding results.
Our organizational agility is our cornerstone, enabling us to offer unparalleled exclusivity and quality as a seat supplier. This distinctive approach ensures not just the fulfilment of industry standards but sets a new benchmark for excellence and innovation in aircraft seating. It's this very strategy that differentiates us within the sector and solidifies AliceBluAero's status as a pioneer in aircraft seating solutions.
In collaborating with AliceBluAero, airlines are partnering with a company that is not only deeply committed to innovation and quality but also boasts a proven track record of navigating the complexities of the aerospace industry with agility and expertise.
Meet our team
Ryan Mcneice
Chief Executive Officer / Accountable Manager (Form 4 Holder)
Ryan McNeice is one of the co-founders of AliceBluAero and has a unique background in the aerospace industry. Growing up and working alongside his father in their AS9100-Rev D approved precision engineering company, Blue Eagle Precision, Ryan developed a passion for aerospace component manufacture and a commitment to perfection and timely delivery.
As the CEO/ Accountable manager and Form 4 Holder in AliceBlu’s approved CAA Production Organisation, Ryan has brought together a team of experienced professionals in the necessary fields of the aircraft seating industry and created a company with strong family values and a lean production system ready for growth.
This team, consisting of experts in design, manufacture, certification, compliance, sales, and aftermarket, works collaboratively under one roof to develop practical and innovative solutions for modern aircraft cabins. Above all, Ryan’s goal is to establish a company that customers can trust and rely on. Reflecting on his father’s advice, Ryan believes in the importance of delivering on promises made in business on time with a world class quality performance.
Christine Graham
Head of Business Administration
Christine joins ABA from the highly successful McCloskey’s Engineering where she was the financial controller for over 15 years. Highly organised and effective Christine will initially cover a number of roles at Alice Blu Aero including Buyer, Human Resources, Financial Admin, etc. Bringing a wealth of experience on MRP systems she is the ideal candidate to support the controlled build of product requiring full traceability and conformance.
Claire Stranaghan
Vice President of Quality (Form 4 Holder)
Claire started her seating career as quality engineer at B/E Aerospace (now Collins Aerospace). She joined Thompson Aero Seating as Quality manager in 2012 and was quickly promoted to Vice President of Quality in 2013. Claire then went out independently consulting for AS9100 and veered into the helicopter world of aerospace CAA Part M / CAMO. In 2017 she returned to Collins Aerospace as Quality consultant and then Logistics manager before joining the Adient Aerospace team in 2020 as Quality Director in Germany and Global Head of Quality for both Adient Facilities.
She has been instrumental in guiding Thompson Aero Seating and Adient Aerospace to obtain their EASA Part 21G Production Organisation Approvals for each company. Claire has been the EASA Form 4 holder at both Thompson Aero Seating and Adient Aerospace.
Claire then decided it was time to come back to Northern Ireland to her roots in January 2023 when the opportunity came up to be part of a new dynamic seating company where she could use her 24 years of Quality experience and set up a QMS for future growth and excellence.
Tom Trail
Head of Design
Tom brings over 30 years design experience in various industries including automotive, aerospace, telecoms and appliances. He has over 15 years’ experience in seat design having started at Thompson Aero Seating in 2006 as a seat designer. He was the lead designer across all of their seating ranges on all narrow- and wide-bodied platforms. He was a significant contributor in their rise from a 5 man start up when he joined, to a company with over 1000 employees at the point of it being sold to AVIC Cabin Systems in 2017. After the sale he continued at Thompson Aero Seating designing the latest Solo and Duo seating ranges for narrow bodied aircraft. With a philosophy of creating amazing looking seats whilst always looking to create both sustainable and easy to maintain seats Tom leads the way as our Head of Design.
Dave Spalding
Head of Sales
With over 40 years Aerospace experience including 20 Years at KLM airline and engineering with 5 years as the Sales Director for KLMUK Engineering, and 5 years leading the sales team at Mirus aircraft seating. Dave brings experience across the entire aviation spectrum including technical fleet management, sales, marketing, technical/ and commercial contracts as well as customer support. Having worked with a multitude of Lessors & OEM’s throughout his career, Dave understands the requirements from all sides of the business and brings a worldwide network.
Luke Smith
Head of Airworthiness
A talented engineer with an exceptional educational background and a proven track record of leading certification activities across multiple programs within the aerospace industry. Skilled in certification, stress, management, customer interaction, mentoring junior engineers and working across a range of aircraft models. Now as our Vice president of Engineering and Head of Airworthiness Luke leads the engineering and certification team as we grow our portfolio of products and customers.