Pivotal has appointed board member Mike Ross as interim chief executive after Ken Karklin stepped down, with the change taking effect on 31 August 2026. The US eVTOL developer is keeping Ross on the board while it searches for a permanent chief executive, as work continues on its fourth-generation Helix aircraft and the company maintains its product and development plans.
Karklin leaves after more than four years leading the business. Pivotal has framed the transition as one of continuity rather than redirection, keeping its priorities and roadmap unchanged during the leadership handover.
Ross joined the board in November 2025 and has been described in coverage as an aviation executive and former Navy test pilot. The Helix, a single-seat electric personal aircraft, has been on sale for about two years, giving the leadership change added relevance as the company seeks to maintain momentum in its next development phase.
Pivotal has not given a detailed reason for Karklin’s departure or a timetable for naming a successor.