Jim Ziegler joined Greenwich AeroGroup in June as president and CEO, after running North America operations for Jet Aviation and serving in various positions at Learjet and Bombardier for 21 years. A graduate of Wichita State University, Ziegler started his aviation career at Learjet in the finance department then eventually moved into managing all of Bombardier’s service facilities, Wichita manufacturing operations and completions centers. Ziegler was also instrumental in Greenwich AeroGroup’s acquisition of Banner Aerospace.
There are two stories about how you took over the reins at Greenwich AeroGroup. One says you aggressively went after the position and developed the Banner Aerospace acquisition as a way of making points. The other story has Greenwich AeroGroup hiring you as a consultant specifically to make the deal; you impressed them and they offered you the job. Which, if either, is true?
Actually it is a bit of both. I was aware of Greenwich AeroGroup and the companies they had already acquired in the MRO and aircraft sales businesses [including maintenance businesses Atlantic Aero, Western Aircraft and Summit Aviation–Ed.]. After I left Jet Aviation, the Greenwich AeroGroup investors were persistent in trying to get me to take the president and CEO position. At the time
I wasn’t interested in jumping right back into this type of role. I was doing some consulting work for Greenwich AeroGroup, several OEMs and aftermarket businesses. In addition, I was looking at opportunities to acquire some businesses on my own.
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