Duncan Aviation has named 22 year company veteran Andy Richards as executive vice president and COO of its full-service facility in Battle Creek, Michigan. As vice president of modifications and completions for the last seven years, Richards steps into his new role as current postholder Tom Burt retires after 40 years with the company. Burt, however, intends to remain active at Duncan Aviation teaching leadership and business classes for the foreseeable future, and in recent months the two have worked through a transition plan.

Richards says: “I'm incredibly excited to have this opportunity, and I'm honoured. Stepping into this role is an invigorating challenge. Duncan Aviation operates at such a high level that I feel compelled to maintain the standard of leadership that I've come to expect from people I've admired and respected over the years. At the same time, by providing mentors, fostering growth through leadership classes and leading by example, Duncan Aviation has done a fantastic job of preparing me for this role.”

Back in 1997, with a Bachelor's degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan and a Master's in Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota, Richards was looking for a job to support his young family. His friendship with now master cabinet specialist John Kemp was seredipitous back then as Kemp encouraged Richards to apply for an entry-level tech position in the cabinet shop at Kal-Aero in Kalamazoo.

Duncan Aviation acquired Kal-Aero barely eight months later, and Richards remained in his position at the cabinet shop. Roughly nine years later, as the assistant manager of the interior department, he had a life-changing experience when he was selected to go through Duncan Aviation's Leadership Dynamics Program (LDP).

“Although I'd appreciated my job at Duncan Aviation, it was during those LDP classes that I realised how fortunate I was to work for a company that was willing to invest that amount of time, interest and money in my development,” he says. “It was then that I knew I was going to stick around and go all in for this company. Duncan Aviation recognised my potential for leadership and was willing to partner with me to develop it.”

“When team members love what they do and look forward to what they do every single day, that passion is apparent to our customers and translates into superior-quality work,” adds Richards. “I love working around the folks at Duncan Aviation. The planes are cool, and the things we do to and for those aircraft when they're here are interesting and exciting. But what gets me up in the morning is our people.”

Outgoing COO Burt can't begin to name all of the people who have influenced him during his time at the company, but he's grateful to everyone who helped along the way. As with Richards, the company provided opportunities and Burt was able, with the help of others, to work hard, grow and succeed in his long career. “I firmly believe those opportunities are still here,” he says. “For team members who want to develop and grow, Duncan Aviation will always provide guidance, training, mentoring and many career opportunities. I intend to give back by continuing to teach in the company's leadership development programme as well as serve on the board of trustees at my alma mater, LeTourneau University. I intend to stay active in aviation.”

Growing up in a small town in northern Iowa, Burt had worked at a shop on the local airfield in exchange for flying lessons, earning his pilot's licence while he was in high school. He then worked as a flight instructor at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, while earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and his Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification. In 1979, he responded to an ad for an A&P mechanic at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska. Once hired, he began working on Learjets and turboprops on the shop floor.

“I was fortunate to start at the company while Donald Duncan was still active and his son Robert Duncan, now chairman emeritus, was president. Todd Duncan, Robert's son and current chairman, was in his early teens when we first met at a company party. The company was much smaller then, probably around 150 people,” he says. “A lot of things have changed since those days including the aircraft we work on, the services we offer, the many facilities we have added, and the amazing team we have developed. With the vision of the Duncan family coupled with the leadership of our president, Aaron Hilkemann, I have been priviledged to be part of a lot of growth and success.”

After those early years as a technician, Burt worked his way through various positions in sales and customer service at the growing Duncan Aviation facility in Lincoln. In 1999, he joined the senior management team and then transferred to the Battle Creek location in 2004.