Piper Names James Funk VP of Operations

Jan. 16, 2013
Funk is responsible for aircraft manufacturing operations, production engineering, logistics and quality.

VERO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 15, 2013 - Piper Aircraft Inc. has appointed James W. Funk as Vice President of Operations, reporting to President and CEO Simon Caldecott. In his new role, Funk is responsible for aircraft manufacturing operations, production engineering, logistics and quality.

"Jim brings nearly 30 years of operations management, manufacturing engineering and program leadership experience to Piper's senior leadership team," said Caldecott. "He has held many leadership positions in electronics and the aerospace industry that will be a direct benefit to Piper's manufacturing, supply chain and quality functions."

Before joining Piper, Funk was Bombardier Learjet's General Manager of Operations for the Learjet 85 program. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Operations for Hawker Beechcraft Corp. and its predecessor, Raytheon Aircraft Co. He was responsible for the company's turboprop and piston programs. He joined Raytheon in 1984.

Funk has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Trenton State College in Trenton, N.J., and has completed numerous advanced courses in leadership, quality and manufacturing disciplines. He will be relocating to Vero Beach.

About Piper Aircraft

Piper Aircraft Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla. The company offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single-engine and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series - the Meridian, Mirage and Matrix - offer businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Twin Class Seneca V and Seminole balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Archer TX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.