Kim Ernzen has been appointed the chief operating officer at StandardAero, replacing Kerry O’Sullivan who is retiring.

Ernzen will be responsible for global operational performance, efficiency and excellence, as well as engineering and supply chain management for StandardAero.

She will report directly to Russell Ford, StandardAero chairman and chief executive, and will be located at the company’s Scottsdale, Arizona headquarters office.

StandardAero’s Engine Services and Component Repair Services division presidents will report directly to Ernzen, who will maintain close oversight of the company’s overall business performance.

Prior to joining StandardAero, Ernzen served as president of naval power for Raytheon Technologies overseeing a $6 billion division with programmes supporting the US Military and its global allies along with a full range of Raytheon’s offerings, while managing a complex portfolio across all lifecycle phases.

Ernzen is a seasoned aerospace and defense industry executive with more than 25 years of experience working at Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft, and Raytheon/RTX Corporation.

An aerospace engineer by training, Ernzen spent the early part of her career in general aviation with a core focus on manufacturing operations, as well as aftermarket and technical support.

Later in her career, Ernzen served in increasingly responsible executive roles in both operations and general management serving military, defence, and space markets.

Ford said: “Kim’s demonstrated business success, broad technical, programme management and executive leadership experience - along with her knowledge and depth in the aerospace industry - gives her the experience to have significant impact in her role at StandardAero.

"We are pleased and fortunate to bring her onto our team and I look forward to her contributions driving continued operational and business improvements as well as growth for StandardAero."

Ernzen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering and an MBA degree - all from Wichita State University.

She also completed Raytheon’s Executive Leadership, Engineering Leadership Development and Principles of Leadership programmes and is a recipient of the Raytheon CEO award.

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