Cirrus Aircraft Announces Key Executive Appointments

DULUTH, Minn., Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Cirrus Aircraft announced five important executive appointments that strengthen the company's leadership team and further position the enterprise for global growth. 

Todd Simmons has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. Simmons joined Cirrus in 2008 as Vice President of Marketing and now adds 360-degree customer responsibility to his most recent position of EVP Sales, Marketing and Support. Prior to Cirrus, Todd was a principal at CubCrafters and previously held positions at both Delta and American Airlines. Simmons holds an engineering degree from Georgia Tech, his master of business administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and is an active private pilot.

Don McIsaac joins Cirrus as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for all financial, treasury and accounting functions at Cirrus. Don has held senior leadership positions in both private and public companies in a variety of industries in Canada and the United States. McIsaac has a bachelor's degree in history from Trent University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

"Cirrus Aircraft has great depth in our leadership and today we have enhanced our capabilities and further strengthened our executive team," said Dale Klapmeier, Cirrus Aircraft Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. "Both the promotion of two experienced Cirrus leaders and the addition of new external talent position the enterprise very well for the future."

Judi Eltgroth has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources. With Cirrus since 1996, Judi now oversees human resources, organization development and regulatory compliance. She also serves as the company's national security director with reporting responsibility to the U.S. Department of Defense. With over 25 years experience in the field, Judi has led human resources initiatives through multiple transitions, including mergers and acquisitions. A Hunt Academic Scholarship recipient, she holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. 

Additionally, Cirrus has appointed Carolyn Zhang to the new executive leadership position, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning & Business Development. In this position, Zhang will focus on long-term strategy and growth plans, including expansion into emerging markets and new ownership and service offerings. Zhang was most recently at CargoTec headquartered in Helsinki. She holds her bachelor's degree in accounting and master's of business administration from the University of Missouri.

Finally, Curtis Landherr joins Cirrus as Senior Vice President, General Counsel. Prior to Cirrus, Curtis spent 15 years practicing as in-house corporate counsel, including seven years with Garmin where he provided primary legal support for Garmin's aviation division. Curtis is a 1995 graduate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. In 2010, Curtis was named a "40 Under Forty" honoree by Ingram's Magazine, recognizing accomplished business and community leaders in the Kansas City region under age 40.

For more information, please visit cirrusaircraft.com.  

ABOUT CIRRUS AIRCRAFT

Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized leader in general aviation. Its all-composite line of personal aircraft - the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T - incorporate innovative and advanced performance, electronic and safety technologies, including Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin® avionics and the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System™ (CAPS). To date, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed six million flight hours with 95 lives saved as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision SF50 jet, with over 550 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution: the personal jet. All Cirrus aircraft are made in the U.S. with a direct sales force in North America and authorized sales centers covering export markets in 60 countries around the world. Cirrus Aircraft is wholly owned by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA). For additional information on Cirrus and its products please visit cirrusaircraft.com.

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SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft