Russ Meyer III Moves Across The Street
No doubt, the name
"Meyer" will forever have a place in Cessna folklore... most
notably in the person of Russ Meyer Jr, Chairman Emeritus of Cessna
who oversaw the Wichita-based planemaker's ascent into the ranks of
elite business jet manufacturers. His son, Russ III, continued that
legacy, most recently as program manager for Cessna's Citation
Mustang light jet.
Effective March 3, however, the younger Meyer will call a new
company his home... and though the address on his business card
will change, the zip code will remain the same.
Meyer will soon join crosstown rival Hawker Beechcraft
Corporation as director of new product development. In his new
role, he will be responsible for a number of new product
development programs, including the management of risk sharing
partners.
"If you would have told me six months ago that I was leaving
Cessna, I would have said, 'You're crazy,'" Meyer told The Wichita
Eagle. "I was not looking for a change."
The planemaker tells ANN Meyer (shown below) will play a
critical role in helping the company sustain its momentum in
the general-aviation market, as Hawker Beechcraft works to
build and deliver the most advanced product lineups around.
"Russ has demonstrated exemplary leadership and product
development program skills and we are very excited to have him on
our team," said Randy Nelson, Hawker Beechcraft senior vice
president, product development and engineering. "His rich
experience and knowledge of the industry will help Hawker
Beechcraft continue to deliver innovative new products to our many
valued customers worldwide."
Meyer spent the last 13 years at Cessna, in a number of
leadership roles with increasing responsibility. He also worked in
aircraft sales and as Eastern division sales manager, where he
managed the single engine piston aircraft sales and Cessna Pilot
Center programs in the eastern United States and Canada.
Prior to Cessna, Meyer spent two years as a project pilot for
Honeywell, Inc. in Phoenix, AZ, where he was an avionics expert for
customer support and training.
Meyer also served in the United States military as a flight lead
F-16 pilot in the US Air Force, Air National Guard. He holds a
Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University and a Master of
Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.
And, for the record... Russ III says his dad supported his move.
Still, we'd wager the next family gathering could be
interesting.