Bristow Group Inc. has appointed Jennifer Whalen as senior vice president and CFO, effective on Sept. 16, 2020. In this role, Whalen will be responsible for accounting, financial reporting, investor relations, M&A, tax and other financial aspects of the company. She was previously serving as the CFO in an interim role since June 2020.

“Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge about our business as well as existing relationships that will help the newly combined company enhance internal controls, processes and operations,” Chris Bradshaw, Bristow president and CEO, said. “I believe Jennifer is the best person for the job, as we navigate and mitigate the effects of the downturn in the offshore oil and gas industry and emerge with a more efficient cost structure.”

Jennifer previously served as the senior vice president and CFO for Era Group Inc. from February 2018 to June 2020. She served as Era’s vice president and chief accounting officer from August 2013 until her appointment as vice president, acting CFO in June 2017. Jennifer joined Era as controller in April 2012.

From August 2007 to March 2012, Jennifer served in several capacities at nLIGHT Photonics Corp., a supplier of high-performance lasers, including as director of accounting. Prior to these roles, Jennifer served as the manager of accounting at InFocus Corp. for over two years. After serving in the U.S. military, Jennifer started her career in public accounting in the assurance practice group at PricewaterhouseCoopers for five years.

She received a B.S. in accounting from Alabama A&M University and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern California.