Tom Burt, executive vice president and COO at Duncan Aviation’s facility in Battle Creek, Mich., is retiring in March. Burt has been with the company for 40 years. He will remain active at Duncan, teaching leadership and business classes for the foreseeable future.
Andy Richards, a 22-year veteran with Duncan Aviation, will assume the role of EVP/COO as Burt steps down. Duncan says the two have worked together for the past seven years and have a transition plan in place.
In 1979, newly married and considering job opportunities, Burt responded to an ad for an A&P mechanic at Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Neb. 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,” says Burt. “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.”
Andy Richards, a 22-year veteran of the company, has been named as Burt’s replacement. As vice president of Modifications & Completions for the last seven years, Richards will be stepping into his new role on March 8.
“I’m incredibly excited to have this opportunity, and I’m honored. Stepping into this role is an invigorating challenge,” says Richards.