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.