Cheryle R. Jackson, Chicago Urban League President and CEO, to Join AAR CORP. Executive Team

WOOD DALE, Ill., March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) announced today that Cheryle R. Jackson will be joining the senior leadership team of AAR as Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Development, effective March 29, 2010.

Jackson, who recently ran for Illinois U.S. Senate, served as president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League since October 2006 during one of the most transformational periods of growth for the venerable 94-year-old civil rights organization.

"Cheryle has an extraordinary background and brings a unique perspective to the AAR," said David P. Storch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AAR CORP. "Cheryle's diverse experience in economic development, government, transportation and media will be invaluable as we grow the business and expand our international presence. I am thrilled that she is bringing the visionary, passionate and results-driven leadership that transformed the Chicago Urban League to AAR."

As Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Development, Jackson will help coordinate the Company's strategies and plans to drive growth and will oversee the development and execution of its branding, government relations, communications, and strategic partnerships and alliances.

Before serving as president and CEO of the Urban League, Jackson was the communications director for the Governor of Illinois, National Director of State and Local government affairs for Amtrak and Vice President of Communications for National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington, DC.

"AAR is a wonderful, global company with a tremendous history, based right here in Illinois," said Jackson. "I am excited to join AAR and contribute to the continued success of the business, particularly now. Over three years ago, I joined the Chicago Urban League to answer the question, 'How do you help connect people to jobs where few exist?' Now the nation is asking that same question. I believe that helping companies with strong entrepreneurial spirits, like AAR, can make an impact. This is also an incredible opportunity to connect more women and minorities to the aerospace industry."

AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry.  With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve airline and defense customers through three operating segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul; and Structures and Systems.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's May 31, 2009 Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described.  These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE AAR CORP.