Josef Kallo, founder of hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion company H2FLY is to step down as the company’s CEO to become its chief technology officer.
H2FLY is one of the world’s leading companies in the area of hydrogen propulsion for aircraft, which requires significant technical advances in both fuel cell and liquid hydrogen storage to be viable.
Recent milestones achieved by H2FLY include the first liquid hydrogen flight of its HY4 demonstrator aircraft and the development of a fuel cell system for Joby’s hydrogen-electric eVTOL aircraft. The company was acquired by eVTOL aircraft developer Joby Aviation in 2021.
Kallo founded H2Fly in 2015 with four other colleagues after being involved with several hydrogen-electric R&D projects run by DLR (German Aerospace Center) as a professor at the University of Ulm in Germany.
Replacing Kallo as H2FLY’s CEO is Ralph Müller, who will become CEO from November 1. Müller started his career in the automotive sector, working for Audi and Borg Warner, before becoming a director at filters company Mann + Hummel.
H2FLY said Müller will lend his experience of leading international organizations as H2FLY enters a phase focused on product development and certification. As chief technology officer Kallo will continue to drive H2FLY’s technological advancements, focusing on early-stage technology development and strategic partnerships.
“I am delighted to welcome Ralph to the H2FLY team,” said Kallo. “His impressive track record in developing businesses and organizations will be instrumental as we continue our journey towards hydrogen-electric, emission-free flight.”
“I am honored to join H2FLY at this pivotal moment in its history,” said Müller. “H2FLY’s commitment to sustainable aviation aligns perfectly with my own passion for innovation and environmental responsibility.
“I look forward to leading the incredible team that Dr. Kallo has built and led for the past decade as we bring hydrogen-electric propulsion systems to market and make a significant contribution to a cleaner future.”
