Beth Wagner promoted to Aviation Week's Managing Director and Leader of Air Transport World

Beth Wagner, Publisher of Business & Commercial Aviation (B&CA) has been named Managing Director, Americas and Leader of Air Transport World (ATW) for Penton's Aviation Week group.

Wagner will succeed Bill Freeman, ATW's Publisher for 38 years who is retiring from Penton on July 31, 2014, in leading the global airline industry's top media brand. In her new role, Wagner will also lead the integrated Aviation Week sales team, which represents B&CA, along with the group's media brands across aviation, aerospace & defense, including Aviation Week & Space Technology, AviationWeek.com, Aviation Week ShowNews, Air Transport World, SpeedNews, International Aviation (China) and Air Transport Observer (Russia/CIS).

"Beth's successful track record of leading our top brands like B&CA and Aviation Week & Space Technology's MRO Edition, while driving growth across the board for Aviation Week, makes her a perfect next generation leader for our group," said Greg Hamilton, President of Aviation Week. "Bill Freeman's leadership in the airline industry is legendary, and now Beth can continue building on ATW's strong print, digital and event business. At the same time, her leadership role with the Americas' sales team will ensure continued engagement with B&CA and our other top brands."

"It is wonderful to find such an outstanding candidate from within our own group," said Warren Bimblick, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development at Penton. "Since Beth moved into her business aviation leadership role last year, she has done great work in transforming sales. She is right for the job."

Wagner began her career with Aviation Week nearly 18 years ago as an editorial assistant and grew within the editorial team. She eventually moved into advertising sales, where she was responsible for Aviation Week Market Intelligence and a territory for Aviation Week & Space Technology. Previously, Wagner was the Director of Commercial Sales for Aviation Week & Space Technology and Associate Publisher of B&CA. Before assuming her current role as Managing Director, she was the Publisher for B&CA. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Wagner held positions with Warren Publishing in Washington, D.C.

Frank Craven, Managing Director of Aviation Week/Penton's Business Aviation portfolio, will continue to lead and shape B&CA's strategic direction, integrate content and audiences across the portfolio -- which also includes AC-U-KWIK, B&CA ShowNews, Air Charter Guide and Aircraft Blue Book -- and invest in the next generation resources to help business aircraft owners, operators, flight departments, manufacturers and services suppliers make critical decisions and capture business as business aviation embarks on a renewed global growth path.