Aircraft Propeller Service (APS) Names Daniel S. Nickolai as Vice President, Operations

Dec. 6, 2018
Nickolai will be responsible for developing all global operations strategies for APS and operating its best-in-class facilities to continue the company’s delivery of high quality products and services.

Aircraft Propeller Service, LLC (APS, www.aircraftpropeller.com, Lake Zurich, IL), one of the world’s leading commercial propeller Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organizations, recently announced the appointment of Daniel S. Nickolai as Vice President, Operations. In this role, Nickolai will be responsible for developing all global operations strategies for APS and operating its best-in-class facilities to continue the company’s delivery of high quality products and services. He brings extensive expertise and skills across key disciplines of quality control, engineering, lean manufacturing, continuous process improvement, safety, demand flow technology, productivity improvement and cost reduction, backed by over 30 years of manufacturing experience; 15 years of which were in the aerospace arena.

APS President & CEO Daniel Colbert noted, “Dan’s background and strategic style of operations leadership are exactly what APS needs in our executive team and are vital to the ongoing implementation of our world class manufacturing, repair, supply chain and continuous improvement and lean strategies. His strong management in overseeing our manufacturing, service and supply chain processes will be essential to our continued growth and consistently delivering high quality products and services.”

Nickolai, who began his career in the aerospace industry serving with GE’s Aircraft Engine Business, most recently was the General Manager of Paradigm Precision (Peabody, MA), a leading producer of critical components for the aerospace industry. While there he generated marked improvements in operating profits, inventory turns, productivity, receivables, and cost reductions.

His other positions included roles as Vice President of Manufacturing at Richardson Electronics, where he implement a total team directed workforce; Vice President of Operations at Horton Emergency Vehicles, where he drove lean improvements that resulted in a doubling of the company’s EBITDA in a single year; Plant Manager with Lord Corporation, a manufacturer of complex anti-vibration components for the aerospace industry; and General Manager, Rotating Operations with Rolls-Royce Energy Systems.

Nickolai earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with honors from Michigan State University. His continuing education also includes his successful completion of GE’s Manufacturing Management Program, the Rolls-Royce Business Manager Course, and the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Program from the University of Dayton.

For more information, visit: www.aircraftpropeller.com