Can Erel Biography
He was born in Ankara, and enrolled in the Aeronautical Engineering Department in Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Istanbul Technical University with his “Young Scientist Scholarship” started in his high school years from the Scientific and Technical Research Institute of Turkey (TUBITAK) in 1979. He was selected as one of eleven “The Future Turkish Aviator” by the “Turkish Air Force Improvement Foundation” in the same year and supported by the scholarship of success.
When EREL was a sophomore, he joined the Turkish Air Force (TuAF) and graduated as an Aeronautical Engineer in 1982. He assumed his first duty at the 1st Air Logistics Center Command (TuAF - 1st HIBM) in Eskisehir of the same year. He has contributed and led in the depot level maintenance, modernization and system integration projects of aircraft platforms (i.e. F-16, F-4, T-38), engines (i.e. F110, T700/CT7, J79, J85, T56 series), components, engine controls and accessories .
EREL had the responsibility of F-16 Senior National Representative Office for the Republic of Turkey in the F-16 System Program Office of USAF between 2000 and 2002.
After completing his duty abroad, EREL started working in the 1st HIBM and retired from Turkish Air Force when he was the President for Technical Management (including Turkish Air Force wide technology and engineering for specified weapon systems, including all fighters, all turbo engines etc.) in March 2005.
After retirement, EREL had served in the executive positions for some in the aerospace – aviation and defence industries and provided advisory services, as well. In his last position, he was running Technology and Business Development Directorate of myTECHNIC Aircraft MRO Service Center in Istanbul, Turkey. He was also a member of the steering and commercial committees with the responsibility of strategic business positioning including R&D initiatives. He has been continuing working as a freelance advisor for technology and business solutions for engineering, R&D, design and manufacturing in the industries.
So, EREL had over 35 years of hands-on management and on-the-soil experience in highly complex and competitive technological programs, aeronautical and defence related business development pursuits.
In his professional career;
He was a member of the evaluation team for Peace Onyx-II (F-16) engine selection.
He was a member of NATO-AGARD Propulsion and Energetics Panel between 1994 and 1998, and the director of an AGARD Project (Project#110, J79 Engine Signature) in this time frame.
Shortly after receiving his MBA degree on “Management and Organization” from Anatolian University, he enrolled in Boston Northeastern University Graduate School of Engineering for “Aircraft Propulsion System Engineering” program supported by General Electric and completed the program in 1996.
Proposed Mentor for General Electric 6Sigma Projects with Turkish Air Force and Point of Contact for General Electric Executive Quality Dash-Boards for Turkish Air Force.
JAA Maintenance Organization Exposition (Form 4) Certified Director of Turkish DGCA.
He has taken many courses, most of them related to aero gas turbines, and received unique trainings for managers from the General Electric Management Development Center.
He has contributed in the formation of…
the first School of Civil Aviation in Anadolu University,
the first Anatolian High School on propulsion school,
Cappadocia Vocation Collage aviation programs and her campus in Istanbul, best example of “school-industry-government cooperation” in Turkey,
He was the first chairman of the Committee of Aeronautics of the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers and a member of Advisory Board of Istanbul Technical University, and Civil Aviation Research and Application Center Advisory Board of Anadolu University.
He has some publications on technologies, management, strategic business positioning models in aerospace and defence related services. He won the award for “Best Author of Aviation” from the University of Turkish Aeronautical Association for his first book, “Can’Ca Remarkable Traces of Industrial Development in Turkey” published in March 2014 and and the “Can’ca Scholarship of Success” is created with the revenues from the book sales.
Currently, EREL is a member of the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers, Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architectures; Turkish Civil Aviation Sectorial Assembly of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey; Cappadocia Vocational College Board of Trustees.
