Who is John Marder from Airframe and what is their importance?

John Marder is one of the executives for Norton Aircraft. Married to the daughter of the owner, he has also been made Vice President. Marder is anxious because he was the project leader on the airframe that has come into question in the fatal crash. If the sale to China should fall through, he fears that it could be very bad news, and might even mean bankruptcy for the company.