The Wing Group, Lafayette, Calif., announced it has appointed Patrick Blake as its new chief operating officer (COO), effective July 7.
The Wing Group encompasses the brands Wing Inflatables, Henshaw Inflatables, Patten Company, FabTek Industries, and Mustang Survival, which provide products for marine and aviation professionals and consumers.
Based out of Tampa, Fla., Blake will work with the group's president, Andrew Branagh, and the leadership team to strengthen operations, scale capabilities, and support the group’s continued global expansion, the company said.
Blake joins the Wing Group after a 29-year U.S. Navy career, retiring as a captain. He brings deep leadership and operational experience from senior roles across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. Most recently, he commanded the Defense Logistics Agency, Indo-Pacific, overseeing 1,400 personnel. From 2016 to 2018, he led Naval Special Warfare Group One’s Logistics Support Unit, where Wing’s CRRCs saw widespread adoption, giving him direct field experience with the product.
“Our organization is experiencing rapid growth, and we’re facing an exciting wave of opportunities,” Branagh said in a statement. “Patrick’s leadership, strategic mindset, and operational background make him the ideal person to help us build capacity and take the Wing Group to the next level.”
“I am honored to join the exceptional team at the Wing Group, an organization committed to designing and delivering the world’s most trusted maritime and aviation lifesaving and support equipment,” said Blake. “From defense and law enforcement to maritime search and rescue, commercial operations, and outdoor adventure, Wing’s impact spans the globe.
“Throughout my Navy career, I saw firsthand the critical importance of reliable, nofail gear in high-stakes environments. I am thrilled to now support those who operate in, on, and above the water by helping ensure they are equipped with the highest quality, most trusted solutions available anywhere in the world,” he added.
