CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Boaz Levy and the company’s board of directors appointed two senior executives at the end of 2024. Yaakov Berkovich was appointed vice president and general manager of IAI’s Aviation Group, while Oded Jacobowitz was appointed as general manager of the Defense Plant in IAI’s Missile and Space Systems Group.
Berkovich began his tenure at IAI in 2009 and. He served in various positions in the Aviation Group and in international marketing. In his most recent position, he was general manager of the Conversion and Upgrade plant within IAI’s Aviation Group. Berkovich, who was released from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with the rank of colonel and in his last post served as head of the Israeli Air Force’s transport aircraft branch, holds a degree in aeronautical engineering and a master’s degree in quality and reliability assurance, both from the Technion: the Israel Institute of Technology. He also holds a law degree from Ono Academic College. Berkovich will succeed Shmuel Kuzi and will report directly to the IAI CEO.
Jacobowitz began his tenure at IAI in 2018, serving in various positions at the Defense Systems plant, including as head of the Directorate of Land Systems and plant deputy general manager. He was released from the IDF with the rank of lieutenant colonel and served among other roles as commander of a rebuilding and maintenance centre in the army’s Technological and Logistics Directorate. Jacobowitz, who holds a physics degree from the Technion and an MBA from Bar-Ilan University, will succeed Dror Bar, who was recently appointed vice president and CEO of IAI’s ELTA Group. Jacobowitz will report to Guy Bar Lev, general manager of IAI’s Systems Missiles & Space Group.
“Yaakov and Oded bring tremendous value to our management team,” noted Levy in a company press release. “Yaakov has broad management knowledge in the world of military and civil aviation and in managing complex projects in the aviation field. His many years of experience in IAI’s Aviation Group will contribute to the group’s continued success and adapting to future challenges. I would like to thank the outgoing executive VP and general manager of the Aviation Group, Shmuel Kuzi, for his years of committed work and significant contribution to the company’s success and growth. I wish him every success in the future.
“The appointment of Oded to his new role reflects his extensive knowledge and experience gained in managing a business unit with a broad sales scope in the core business of a defence enterprise dealing in interception systems used against threats at sea, in the air and on land,” Levt said, adding. “I wish Yaakov and Oded success in their new positions; their success is an essential element in the success of Israel Aerospace Industries more broadly.”
