Jim Hirsch Promoted To The Top Position After 19 Years As An Engineer

Special To ANN By Bill Lavender

Jim Hirsch has been named President of Air Tractor, Inc. by the company's Board of Directors. This follows the death February 20, 2011 of Air Tractor founder and president Leland Snow. Board member Kristin Edwards noted, "This decision is in keeping with comments that Leland Snow made as recently as few days before his passing."

Jim Hirsch Photo Courtesy Agairupdate.com

Jim Hirsch has been an engineer at Air Tractor for 19 years and most recently served as Vice President, Engineering at the company, which manufactures a line of radial engine and turboprop aircraft that are used around the world for agricultural spraying and aerial firefighting.

Hirsch will oversee the new product initiatives begun by Leland Snow, direct product engineering and work with the management team on strategic planning efforts. "On a personal level, it's a deeply sad time," says Hirsch. "There is no doubt that we will all miss Leland very much. He was a great man and a driven, focused, and hard-working leader. Leland made my transition so much easier because he had a well thought-out plan for Air Tractor, and left this company in a great position to go forward and continue producing the finest ag and firefighting aircraft in the world," says Hirsch.

"Leland knew that he wouldn't be around forever, and he wanted to see Air Tractor continue to be the strong and successful company that it has become," echoes wife and Air Tractor Board Member Nancy Snow. "So, years ago he began delegating more responsibilities and building a management team, allowing each person's strengths to help guide the decisions and direction of the company. He relied on the experience and knowledge of Air Tractor's Group Leaders to keep things running smoothly in the plant and make sure that we could build more and more airplanes."

Other than the appointment of Hirsch as President, the remainder of the Air Tractor management team remains in place, according to Kristin Edwards. The management team includes Leon Clinton, Vice President Machining Operations, Kristin Edwards, Vice President Sales and Marketing; David Ickert, Vice President Finance; and Rick Turner, Vice President Operations. Edwards said, "Since I became a mother in 2008, I've become less visible at the factory, but I'm continuing to work from home and plan to remain an active part of Air Tractor's future."

In 2010, Air Tractor produced 123 aircraft and its international sales accounted for more than 50 percent of its business.

FMI: www.agairupdate.com