Coltala Aerospace, a Fort Worth-based aerospace platform backed by Coltala Holdings, has appointed Phil Bathurst as the company’s new president. Bathhurst brings more than three decades of leadership experience building and scaling aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations across the global aerospace aftermarket, Coltala said.

Fort Worth’s Coltala Holdings announced the creation of Coltala Aerospace in February 2025, through the acquisition of Mansfield-based AeroParts Group. Coltala Aerospace entity brough together three APG businesses—Evans Composites, APM, and ACD Consulting—to serve both commercial and military aerospace with precision machining, FAA Part 145 MRO repair station services, and engineering expertise.

Bathurst most recently served as CEO at Aspire MRO, a Fortress Investment Group-backed MRO founded in Fort Worth to support the B777 P2F modifications. Aspire MRO grew from 30 employees to well over 500 employees in a three-year period and now has the capabilities of supporting five lines of P2F modifications, Coltala said.

Earlier in his career, Bathurst held senior leadership roles across major aerospace maintenance operations and technology platforms including Embraer, EmpowerMX, Aviation Technical Services, and TIMCO (AAR).

He began his career installing avionics equipment on small aircraft before rising through the ranks of the aviation industry to lead large technical teams and complex aircraft maintenance operations.

Working with leaders across the platform

In his new role, Bathurst will be working closely with leaders across the Coltala Aerospace platform—including Nick McDonald, leader of Evans Composites, and Michael Campbell, leader of ACD Consulting and AeroParts Machining—to support the continued national growth and expansion of Coltala Aerospace, the company said.

“The aviation aftermarket is entering one of the most important growth cycles in decades,” Bathurst said in a statement.  “Airlines are flying aircraft longer, systems are becoming more complex, and the industry needs organizations that can deliver reliable, high-quality maintenance and engineering capabilities.”

Bathurst said he was attracted to Coltala Aerospace’s vision to build a long-term aerospace platform “grounded in operational excellence and strong culture.” Companies like HEICO and TransDigm have demonstrated what disciplined leadership and smart growth can achieve in the aviation aftermarket, the new president noted.

“At Coltala we build leaders who build companies that build America,” said Edward Crawford, co-founder and co-CEO of Coltala Holdings and a founding advisory board member of NYSE Texas, “

“Coltala Aerospace strengthens America’s aerospace industrial base—from commercial aviation to supporting the warfighter,” Crawford added in a statement. “Phil is the right leader to guide the next generation of leaders across our aerospace companies.”

Coltala Holdings Co-Founder and Co-CEO Ralph Manning added that Bathurst’s leadership experience makes him “a natural fit” for the company’s next phase of growth.

“Phil understands how to scale aerospace operations while maintaining the discipline and culture required in this industry,” Manning said. “His leadership will help accelerate the continued growth of Coltala Aerospace.”

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