President and CEO of King Schools Dave Jackson has recommended to company owners John and Martha King that Barry Knuttila, formally Senior Vice President, Technology and Marketing, take over the CEO duties while Jackson would remain as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Jackson, who has been at King Schools since 1997, came to the company from the movie industry.
“Movies and TV have a lot of moving parts and movie producers/directors are great managers,” said John King, noting Jackson became president of King Schools in 2000 and CEO in 2006.
“Barry came to King Schools from the enterprise software industry in 2002 and is uniquely prepared to manage our strategy in the future,” Jackson said. “Barry has already played a major role in King Schools’ advancement in technology from the days of VHS video tape to online courses which can be downloaded to an iPad and even taken while offline. We want to keep this advancement going.”
Both have an on-going passion for flying and are partners in a plane. Dave is a single and multiengine pilot with a Citation type rating and a love of tailwheel flying. Barry holds an ATP certificate with a type rating in the Falcon 10, and captains it regularly when he can talk John or Martha out of the seat. Plus, Barry is a single and multiengine airplane instructor and an instrument instructor.
John and Martha will continue as Co-Chairmen, talent on video and general guardians of course quality to ensure that, as John says, “Our courses stay clear, simple and fun.”
I remember when I was working on my private and I purchased their CD curriculum. As an instructor for construction safety I was thrilled with their methodology. It was simple and fun making my time at my computer enjoyable. I even found myself looking forward to getting back to the hotel so I could take a couple more lessons.
My written was a breeze and I owe it to both John and Martha’s talent and on screen personality. Had I continued my flight lessons I have no doubt I would have gotten my ticket, but about that time the airspace was shut down, and once the FBO was resuming student flights I never found the time to take my flight with the examiner. I know if I ever decide to start again I’ll purchase the Kings latest program to once again ace my written.