Jean-Paul Béchat

Jean-Paul Béchat (September 2, 1942 – November 22, 2014) was a French engineer. He was the CEO of Snecma then Safran until 2007.

Biography

Early life Béchat was born in Montlhery, France. He held an engineering degree from the École Polytechnique and a Master of Science from Stanford University.

Career Béchat started career at Snecma in 1965 as a production engineer, where he spent the main part of his career. At the company he later became director of production during 1974-1978, managing director of Industrial Affairs between 1979-1981, then Assistant General Manager of the reactor power management subsidiary, Hispano-Suiza between 1982-1985. In 1986 he became General Manager then CEO of Messier-Hispano-Bugatti, later creating Messier-Dowty in 1994.

Béchat was CEO of Snecma SA From June 4, 1996 to March 2005. Béchat oversaw the merger of Snecma and the defense-electronics maker Sagem, in 2005, to form Safran, Europe’s second largest engine maker . He ran the company as CEO between 2005 and 2007. Chairman of the Board and CEO of PowerJet Member of the Advisory Board of Banque de France Member of the Advisory Board of the General Board of Weaponry Member of the Advisory Board of the MEDEF Executive Committee Member of the Advisory Board and Director of SOGEPA Director of Messier-Dowty International

Awards Commander of the Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur Officer of the National Order of Merit (France). Commander of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite; Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society; Member of the Association Aéronautique et Astronautique de France (AAAF); Member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Gold medal of C.E.A.S. (Council of European Aerospace Societies)

Other Affiliations Bechat also held the positions of a member of the UIMM, Board Member of the Musée de l'air et de l'espace, and member of the ASD council, in addition to having been a member of the Economic Council of Defense and the General Council of Armaments.