President and Chief Operating Officer Larry E. Williams
Promoted to Chief Executive Officer
Ballistic Recovery
Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of parachute recovery systems for
general aviation and recreational aircraft, announced that Larry E.
Williams has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer, effective
immediately.
Williams (below, right) joined BRS in Dec. 2004, when he was
hired as the aviation safety company's new President and Chief
Operating Officer. Williams will also retain those executive titles
and responsibilities. Before joining BRS, Williams, 47, was Vice
President of Business Development for AmSafe Aviation in Phoenix,
Arizona, for the last four years. AmSafe is the world's largest
manufacturer of aviation restraints. Previously, he was Group
President at Rural/Metro Corporation from 1995 to 2000, where his
accomplishments included increasing total sales, as well as
maintaining top market share in airport fire protection
services.
Robert L Nelson, the chair of the BRS's Board of Directors said,
the Board is pleased to elevate Williams to the additional position
of Chief Executive Officer.
"Larry has proven his
skill of leadership and his dedication to BRS' primary mission of
saving lives within aviation industry," he said. "As Chairman of
the Board, I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with
Larry and his team. Larry's industry relationships and his
understanding of the overall aviation market will help us move the
company into new and more profitable endeavors.
After working in aviation safety for over two decades, Williams
said it is truly exciting to have this opportunity.
"BRS is a company with a long-standing reputation as a trusted
partner in aviation. While this industry has seen many changes in
the past and undoubtedly faces many more in the years ahead, BRS
has proven its added value to the flying public for over twenty
five years and is responsible for saving 177 lives. BRS is well
positioned to foster its pivotal role in the world of aviation
safety," said Williams.
"BRS has opened up new markets, bringing innovative products and
services to the industry. However, what hasn't changed is the need
for aviation safety products like BRS provides, said the new CEO.
"I see great opportunities for BRS, a company that has both the
right position and the people, to extend its role into these new
directions. It goes without saying that I look forward to working
together with customers and the employees of BRS to help explore
these shared interests."
BRS is a South St. Paul, Minn., based company that designs,
manufactures and distributes whole aircraft emergency parachute
systems for use on general aviation and recreational aircraft.
Since the early 1980's, BRS has delivered over 19,000 parachute
systems to aircraft owners around the world including over 1500
systems on the certified aircraft like the Cirrus Design aircraft
manufactured in Duluth, Minnesota.
Actual documented uses of these systems are credited with saving
the lives of 177 people.