Founder Jim Richmond Will Remain As Chairman
Yakima, WA-based CubCrafters is
growing... and says its internal structure must mature, as well. On
Tuesday, CubCrafters named Todd Simmons President and Chief
Executive Officer. Previously Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, Simmons will assume oversight of both day-to-day
operations and strategic management of the planemaker.
CubCrafters Founder and Owner Jim Richmond says he will remain
an integral part of the organization as Chairman.
"My passion, and indeed my best contribution to our growing
company, is to continue to improve the design of the Sport Cub, Top
Cub and Super Cub," Richmond says. "Even beyond those aircraft
programs, we have several derivatives and entirely new models
planned. With today’s announcement, I can spend more time on
R&D and product innovation while Todd and the rest of the team
concentrate on running the business day-to-day and planning how to
best grow what I started back in 1980."
Simmons joined CubCrafters in early 2005 as Director of Sales
and Marketing, and in early 2006 was named Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer. Prior to CubCrafters, he held positions in
various areas at Delta Air Lines, including Marketing Development
and Pricing and Revenue Management. His experience also includes a
start-up venture outside of aviation.
"I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead at
CubCrafters," said Simmons. "I consider it a privilege, as Jim
Richmond and the CubCrafters staff have created the gold standard
in the 'tube and fabric' aircraft business over the past 27 years.
With such a special group of employees, products and customers, we
will not only maintain that high standard as we go forward, but we
are going to accelerate the development of both evolutionary and
revolutionary new aircraft, new aircraft products and enhanced
aircraft support services.
"Each day I come to work at CubCrafters, I am reminded of the
events of a little more than a century ago, as Wilbur Wright was
quoted 'We could hardly wait to get up in the morning.' I along
with the nearly 100 employees at our facilities in Yakima, WA, feel
the same way about the future at CubCrafters."
Simmons holds a Bachelor in Industrial and Systems Engineering
from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business
Administration from the University of Chicago.