Founder Jim Richmond Will Remain As Chairman

Yakima, WA-based CubCrafters is growing... and says its internal structure must mature, as well. On Tuesday, CubCrafters named Todd Simmons President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Simmons will assume oversight of both day-to-day operations and strategic management of the planemaker.

CubCrafters Founder and Owner Jim Richmond says he will remain an integral part of the organization as Chairman.

"My passion, and indeed my best contribution to our growing company, is to continue to improve the design of the Sport Cub, Top Cub and Super Cub," Richmond says. "Even beyond those aircraft programs, we have several derivatives and entirely new models planned. With today’s announcement, I can spend more time on R&D and product innovation while Todd and the rest of the team concentrate on running the business day-to-day and planning how to best grow what I started back in 1980."

Simmons joined CubCrafters in early 2005 as Director of Sales and Marketing, and in early 2006 was named Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to CubCrafters, he held positions in various areas at Delta Air Lines, including Marketing Development and Pricing and Revenue Management. His experience also includes a start-up venture outside of aviation.

"I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead at CubCrafters," said Simmons. "I consider it a privilege, as Jim Richmond and the CubCrafters staff have created the gold standard in the 'tube and fabric' aircraft business over the past 27 years. With such a special group of employees, products and customers, we will not only maintain that high standard as we go forward, but we are going to accelerate the development of both evolutionary and revolutionary new aircraft, new aircraft products and enhanced aircraft support services.

"Each day I come to work at CubCrafters, I am reminded of the events of a little more than a century ago, as Wilbur Wright was quoted 'We could hardly wait to get up in the morning.' I along with the nearly 100 employees at our facilities in Yakima, WA, feel the same way about the future at CubCrafters."

Simmons holds a Bachelor in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

FMI: www.cubcrafters.com