James K. Bass Will Focus on Strong Product and Growth
Strategy
As first reported by
ANN, James K. Bass, an experienced senior executive with more than
25 years of leadership roles in engineering and manufacturing, is
the new President and CEO of The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.
Bass, 48, who was appointed September 12 by the New Piper
Aircraft Board of Directors, replaces Chuck Suma, who in turn joins
Piper's Board of Directors as Vice Chairman. Bass comes to Piper
after leading the financial turnaround of Suntron Corporation, a
Phoenix, Ariz., based $500 million public corporation where he
served as President & CEO,
Bass was selected after an extensive search to find just the
right fit to continue building and expanding the strong recovery
orchestrated by the Piper team. At the same time, Suma, a valued
and loyal 30-year employee of Piper is in an advisory role to
support the transition while continuing to interface with dealers,
customers and regulatory agencies in his new role as Vice Chairman
of the Board.
Bass said his top
priorities are commitment to the Piper team, customer and
shareholder support and satisfaction, product excellence and
focused growth in revenue and market share.
"Our agenda is to grow, develop and expand Piper in such a way
that is best for our customers, our employees and our business,"
Bass said.
"Piper has a rich heritage and reputation for developing and
building products and features our customers want and need, and we
will continue in that tradition by improving and strengthening our
customer relationships, working closely with our dealers and
continuing to be the premier provider of aircraft in general
aviation. The Piper Team is known for its dedication and commitment
and is poised and eager to meet the challenges ahead of us."
New Piper's Mark Miller has promised ANN an interview within a
week or so and has been aiding in the communications chores
involved in the transition. Miller related that Bass has spoken
strongly about his management plan for Piper... "I am a believer in
consensus management. I believe that the more perspective you have
on a situation, the better the result. That's why it's important to
have a team of bright, dedicated people that you listen to
carefully. Then, you make it easy for them to operate to the full
extent of their capabilities."
Bass added that, "My vision for Piper's future is one that will
underscore its rich history and status as an iconic brand. My top
priorities are commitment to the Piper team, customer support and
satisfaction, product excellence and focused growth in revenue and
market share. Overall, our Company's goals are to grow, develop and
expand Piper in such a way that is best for our customers, our
employees, our shareholders and our business... New Piper
represents an outstanding opportunity. The Company has great
employees, outstanding products and a legacy second to none."
ANN's forthcoming interview will be available as both a written
story as well as a future Aero-Cast -- as soon as CEO Bass has a
chance to catch his breath (ANN Note: ya have to pity the poor
guy... we've been knocking on his door pretty heavily within hours
of his appointment -- grin). ANN Looks forward to bringing the
story to you shortly.