Russell W. “Russ” Meyer Jr., former chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company, died March 4 at age 93. Meyer led Cessna for nearly three decades after joining the company as executive vice president in 1974 and becoming chairman and CEO in 1975. Although Meyer stepped down as chairman in 2003, he retained the role of chairman emeritus. During his tenure, Cessna developed and expanded the Citation line of business jets, which grew into one of the company’s best-known product families.
Before joining Cessna, Meyer worked in aviation law and served as president and CEO of Grumman American Aviation Corporation from 1966 to 1974. He also served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and later flew with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Over the course of his flying career, Meyer accumulated more than 17,000 flight hours and held type ratings in every Cessna Citation model produced during his lifetime. Meyer was added to the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2009.
Meyer also participated in industry advocacy and aviation-related initiatives. He was involved in efforts leading to passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 and helped establish the Citation Special Olympics Airlift program, which transports athletes to national games using volunteer aircraft.
Textron Aviation President and CEO Ron Draper offered words of remembrance on Meyer’s legacy.
“Russ was a remarkable human being and one of the most respected leaders I have ever known,” Draper said. He added that Meyer “led with conviction, compassion and an unwavering belief that leadership carries a responsibility to serve something greater than oneself.”
An impressive career and the importance of his decision to expand the Citation family probably cannot be overstated. Not only did it allow Cessna to remain a major player but it also changed the overall business jet market. RIP