Quarterback of innovation
Program manager Lisa Roth employs deep collaboration and technical fluency for delivering complex galley insert systems
When Lisa Roth first joined Collins Aerospace, she experienced what many airline passengers never consider: the complexity behind something as simple as brewing coffee at 35,000 feet.
"It was very surprising to know the extensive design and testing and even execution of entry into service for a new product that is so simple, that we use something every day, like a coffee maker," Roth recalls.
Today, as a Senior Program Manager focused on Collins’ Galley Inserts portfolio, Roth oversees the development of the food and beverage equipment that serve millions of airline passengers daily.
Her work bridges the gap between airline expectations and aerospace engineering reality, a role that's becoming increasingly crucial as the industry embraces digital transformation.
The art of managing complexity
Roth's role exemplifies the multi-layered nature of modern aerospace program management.
"I love being a program manager because you get to be involved in all aspects of a program, from beginning to end," she explains, describing her work with teams spanning business development, marketing, engineering, supply chain, quality, operations, and customer support.
This comprehensive involvement proves essential in an industry where changing a seemingly small specification reveals the intricate relationship between aesthetics, material science, and safety requirements.
Take color, for instance. Roth has recently worked with airline customers wanting the shells of their galley equipment to be a specific shade. She and the team learned that passing the testing requirements isn’t straightforward from one color to another.
“You would think you would have similar testing results from one to the next, but each color has different properties because of the different ways of coloration," she says. “So, you have to go through the testing process again and sometimes we must tweak the design and the details within the material used.”
Roth is closely involved in all aspects of galley insert product development. Here, she reviews data from a WiFi-enabled coffee maker with project engineer Byron Devlin.
Collaboration as the key to success
Roth's approach to customer collaboration offers valuable insights. She and her team work directly with airlines to understand specific requirements, from technical specifications to aesthetic preferences that align with cabin interiors.
"Close collaboration with customers happens for every new product development," Roth notes. This partnership model proves particularly important when addressing unique airline needs, such as specific color requirements that must integrate seamlessly with overall cabin design while maintaining all safety certifications.
The collaborative approach extends beyond individual projects. Roth emphasizes transparency, especially when venturing into new technological territories. "We always strive to be very clear about defining the space when it comes to new technology development," she says, highlighting how honest communication builds stronger airline partnerships.
Strong customer partnerships are especially relevant with the development of connected galley insert equipment, an initiative that brings Internet of Things (IoT) technology into the cabin. As a member of the team developing this technology, Roth focuses not just on technical functionality but on practical implementation that works within airlines' existing business processes.
The program manager role itself has evolved to accommodate these new challenges. As Roth puts it, "You need to be open to the unknown and work through with internal teams on that, as well as with customers."
The hidden complexity behind seamless service
For airline passenger experience professionals, Roth offers a crucial perspective on the engineering complexity that enables seamless in-flight service.
"It’s an enormous effort to design, develop, test, and qualify a new product to ensure that the safety requirements are met, and all of the products meet and exceed expectations of our customers," she says.
This understanding becomes increasingly important as airlines seek to differentiate their passenger experience while maintaining operational efficiency. The galley equipment that supports food and beverage service represents sophisticated engineering designed to perform flawlessly in a demanding environment.
Every meal or cup of coffee served at altitude represents countless hours of engineering, testing, and collaboration. Every successful flight depends on systems that passengers never see but operators cannot afford to ignore.
In Lisa Roth's world, there are no simple products, only extraordinary solutions waiting to transform how we think about the cabin experience.
Seeing is believing
Visualization designer Fernando Rentas blends
art and technology to create realistic renderings
of future cabin experiences. >>
Minimizing downtime while maximizing quality
Manufacturing engineer Kevin Egbert leads a team of MRO professionals focused on repairing and returning galley insert equipment into service with both speed and quality. >>
Bridging aviation’s toughest gap
Certification chief Srinivasarao Boddepalli ensures galley inserts meet the meticulous standards set by both customers and the FAA. >>