James Renna
Vice President
Engineering Safety, Testing & Evaluation
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
BSAAE 1986
"More than 20 years in the helicopter industry has helped me fully appreciate how well Purdue prepared me for a successful career. The William Shedd quote, 'A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for,' has repeatedly inspired me to utilize all the skills Purdue engineering has taught me, to practically apply science to its maximum human benefit."
Jamie Renna graduated from Purdue with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1986. He went on to earn his master's degree in business administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1991.
Renna is responsible for conducting required design validation tests for all Sikorsky Aircraft products. He also is in charge of developing and qualifying new and derivative helicopters and systems.
Renna serves as deputy chair of the aviation product safety board for Sikorsky programs. There, he provides senior level engineering leadership and oversight required to investigate and resolve aviation product safety matters. Before becoming vice president of engineering safety, test and evaluation, Renna served as the Sikorsky director of dynamic systems engineering. Renna has held other notable positions, including lead structural test engineer for the S-92 helicopter and chief of rotor systems design. He joined Sikorsky as a structural test engineer after graduating from Purdue.
Renna is a member of the American Helicopter Society and Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics industrial advisory committee.