Todd Simmons Named Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing At Cirrus Aircraft

July 14, 2011
In his new role, Simmons is responsible for managing the Cirrus Aircraft brand globally and for all sales and marketing activities.

DULUTH, Minn., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirrus Aircraft today announced that Todd Simmons has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Simmons is responsible for managing the Cirrus Aircraft brand globally and for all sales and marketing activities for the world's best-selling line of high-performance personal, small business and training aircraft.

"Todd is an energetic leader with a depth of experience and a proven track record of growing the business," said Brent Wouters, Cirrus President and Chief Executive Officer. "Todd's new position and the global responsibilities that come with it coincide with our new partnership with China Aviation Industry General Aircraft, Co., Ltd. (CAIGA)."

Wouters continued, "With the CAIGA merger complete, Cirrus is in a unique and enviable position to change our growth trajectory as we come out of a challenging few years. Todd's appointment today is a key step in realigning existing resources and making new investments in our worldwide sales and marketing organization to better serve current and future Cirrus Aircraft owners and to support new products and services we have in development."

"I'm grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead our global sales and marketing efforts and to manage the most compelling brand in general aviation," said Simmons. "Cirrus has an unparalleled record of innovation. Our family of light piston aircraft is the safest, highest performing and most technologically advanced in the world today. And with the Vision Jet just around the corner, we have the opportunity to transform personal mobility and transportation again. As a passionate pilot and aviator, and as a marketing and sales professional, I'm thrilled at what the future holds for Cirrus Aircraft employees, our customers and for general aviation overall."

Simmons joined Cirrus in early 2008 as Vice President of Marketing and during his tenure has led a number of innovative growth initiatives aimed at both the current owner community and at new segments. In spite of challenging overall economic conditions during these efforts, the SR22 remains the best-selling four-seat aircraft in the world and its worldwide market share has grown to an all-time high.

With more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and business leadership, Simmons has held positions in marketing development, international marketing communications and revenue management at a range of companies from boutique firms to Fortune 500 companies. His aviation experience includes work at Delta Air Lines and at CubCrafters where he led sales and marketing efforts and later presided over the company.

Simmons holds a Bachelor's of Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

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). As of mid-2011, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed 5 million flight hours with 48 lives saved to date as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Aircraft Vision Jet, with nearly 500 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution - the 'personal jet'.  All Cirrus aircraft are made in the USA with a direct sales force in North America and authorized sales centers covering export markets in 60 countries around the world.  For additional information on Cirrus and its products please visit cirrusaircraft.com.

SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft

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