Cirrus Aircraft Expands Customer Experience and Strategic Planning Leadership Teams

Duluth, Minn. (16 March 2016) – Cirrus Aircraft today announced the promotion of three Customer Experience team leaders and the appointment of two key senior leaders in moves that strengthen Cirrus’ world-class customer experience and strategic planning capabilities and position the enterprise for future global growth. Cirrus announces the promotion of Rob Haig to Chief Pilot and Executive Director, Flight Training & Operations; Travis Klumb to Executive Director, Service & Support; and Carrie Oakland to Executive Director, Programs & Planning. Cirrus also welcomes Stephen Deucker, Vice President and General Manager of the Vision Center® in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Carroll Lane as Senior Vice President, Business Development to the Strategic Planning team.

Dale Klapmeier, Cirrus Aircraft Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, noted the importance of these latest personnel moves. “There is no greater asset at Cirrus Aircraft than our people and our ongoing investment in leadership development. Our employees, customers and partners around the world join me in congratulating Rob, Travis and Carrie on their expanded roles, and in welcoming Carroll and Stephen as they bring their experience to new positions at Cirrus. Rob, Travis and Stephen will help grow what is already the best customer experience in the industry while Carroll and Carrie help us chart the course for an even broader products and services portfolio and global brand footprint. The talents of these five are just unparalleled and these promotions and additions at Cirrus are a most welcome development.”

Rob Haig’s role will expand to lead the on-going development of the Vision Jet and SR2X flight training programs, directing the creation of customer training material for Cirrus Approach™ and assuring the standardization of Cirrus pilots around the world. As Chief Pilot at Cirrus, Rob’s experience spans over 11 years with the company with more than 4,000 flight hours and multiple ratings such as ATP, CFII, MEI and a Vision Jet LOA.

Travis Klumb will oversee activity related to the expansive global Service and Support Partner Network and parts program, Cirrus Direct™. Travis joined Cirrus in 2006 and has accumulated over 2,500 hours of experience flying and teaching in Cirrus aircraft, formerly serving as Manager of Flight Standards, Manager of the Cirrus Global Flight Training Network, and Director of Flight Training & Operations.

Carrie Oakland will lead programs and product planning initiatives on the Innovations and Operations team. She will also assist in defining and adopting program leadership and management processes as Cirrus continues to expand its global brand. Carrie joined Cirrus in 2004 and most recently served as Executive Director, Service & Support, with prior roles as Director of Field Support Services, Manager of Field Operations, and Warranty Supervisor.

Carroll Lane will lead strategic planning and business development to further position Cirrus for global growth. He will be focused on building long-term partnerships as Cirrus continues expanding in traditional and emerging markets to support both current as well as new products. Carroll brings extensive leadership and corporate strategy experience from within the commercial aviation, aerospace and defense industries. Most recently Carroll served as Senior Director of Customer Solutions at Pratt & Whitney’s Commercial Engines Aftermarket organization. Prior to Pratt & Whitney, he served as Director of Corporate Strategy & Development at United Technologies Corporation and as a Director at CSP Associates, an Aerospace & Defense advisory firm. Carroll is a graduate of Harvard Business School, a former Naval Aviator with over 1,000 flight hours and an instrument-rated commercial pilot.

Stephen Deucker will lead the creation and execution of Cirrus Aircraft’s world-class customer experiences in his new role as Vice President and General Manager of the Vision Center. In addition to developing high internal and external customer service standards and training systems, Deucker will provide compass-thinking for delivering an unparalleled Cirrus Aircraft brand experience to customers that take delivery, receive training, service and more at the Vision Center. Stephen joins Cirrus after more than 25 years in leadership roles with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, serving at multiple properties including their industry-leading Amelia Island, Dove Mountain, Sarasota and Orlando resorts. In addition to his most recent leadership roles, Stephen has experienced almost every aspect of the hospitality field, including developing one-of-a-kind guest experiences designed to impress and delight. A long time general aviation enthusiast, Stephen earned an MBA from The University of South Florida and will be residing in Knoxville, TN.

As the flagship location for all Cirrus pilot, owner and customer activities, the Vision Center will be the home to the Customer Experience team and encompass Vision Jet and SR series training, sales, delivery, maintenance, support, personalization, fixed base operations and more. Groundbreaking of the Vision Center commenced in November 2015, with the grand opening of the Factory Service Center scheduled for mid-2016 and the complement of full services opening in 2017.

For more information regarding the Vision Center or career opportunities with Cirrus, visit cirrusaircraft.com.

About Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized leader in general aviation. Its all-composite line of personal aircraft – the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T – incorporate innovative and advanced performance, electronic and safety technologies, including Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin® avionics and the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®). To date, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed seven million flight hours with 127 people returned to their families as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision Jet, with over 550 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution: the personal jet. The Vision Center in Knoxville, TN will be the flagship location for all Cirrus Aircraft Customer Experience activities including sales, delivery, training, maintenance, support, personalization, fixed base operations and more. All Cirrus aircraft are made in the U.S. with a direct sales force in North America and authorized sales agents covering export markets in 60 countries around the world. Cirrus Aircraft is wholly owned by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd (CAIGA). Referenced Cirrus trademarks are owned by Cirrus Industries, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

For additional information on Cirrus and its products please visit cirrusaircraft.com.

SOURCE: Cirrus Aircraft