By MEG GODLEWSKI
Can you imagine Cirrus Design Corporation without a Klapmeier as CEO? In February of 2009 Brent Wouters, who currently serves as the president and chief operating officer of Cirrus, will step into the role of chief executive officer, a role currently filled by Cirrus co-founder Alan Klapmeier.
Wouters served as company vice president and chief financial officer from 2002 to 2008.
“For some time now, much of my effort and energy has been focused on important aspects of Cirrus outside of day?to?day operations in Duluth,” said Klapmeier. “In addition to the strategic direction of the company, I continue to be very involved in wider efforts to promote growth in general aviation, as well as spending even more time within the Cirrus customer community to learn how we can better serve current and future Cirrus owners.”
Klapmeier commented that Wouters’ transition to CEO was part of Cirrus efforts to develop the management team.
“It also reaffirms out long-term commitment to our customers, to our employees, to our vendors and government partners, and to our shareholders,” he said. “With both broad and in-depth experience in business and aviation, Brent will continue to build upon Cirrus’ strong success to date in his new role.”
Alan Klapmeier will continue to serves as the chairman of the board of directors of Cirrus and Dale Klapmeier as vice chairman.
Prior to joining Cirrus, Wouters was the chief financial officer of International Payment Services, where he was instrumental in completing 11 acquisitions. He also has experience as an aircraft engineer. He holds an MBA from Georgia State University, an MS in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University and a BA in mathematics and physics from Iowa’s Graceland University.
CirrusDesign.com.
