Hydrogen technology expert steps down from H2FLY CEO position

Josef Kallo has decided to step back from his current role to work on pioneering H2 work

Josef Kallo, the founder and CEO of H2FLY, a hydrogen technology company focused on aircraft propulsion, has decided to step down from his current position to become its chief technology officer.

H2FLY is an H2 world leader

The company is a world leader in the area of hydrogen technology for aircraft propulsion. It requires substantial tech advances in both liquefied H2 storage and in fuel cells in order to achieve the level of viability.

Still, the company has been achieving some important H2FLY milestones, including recently, such as the first liquid H2 flight by its HY4 demonstrator aircraft and the Joby hydrogen-electric eVTOL aircraft H2 fuel cell system. Joby Aviation, an eVTOL aircraft developer, acquired the company three years ago.

H2FLY itself was founded by Kallo in 2015 along with four other colleagues. This took place after they had been involved in a number of H2 research and development projects operated by DLR (the German Aerospace Center), as well as being a University of Ulm professor in Germany.

An upcoming change of hydrogen technology leadership

Ralph Müller will be replacing Kallo as the chief executive officer of H2FLY as of November 1.  Müller’s career started in the automotive sector, having worked for companies such as Borg Warner and Audi, before becoming a Mann + Hummel filters company director.

According to H2FLY, Müller is bringing a wealth of experience in international organization leadership, just as H2FLY steps into a new product development- and certification-focused phase.

On the other hand, Kallo will be moving along as the head of hydrogen technology by pushing H2FLY’s tech advancements ahead.

The H2FLY team

“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,” added 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.”