In its continuing effort to “ensure [a] clear path to profitability,” the new management team at Eclipse Aviation said on Tuesday that it has created a new structure for operating the company. Peg Billson, previously the company’s chief operating officer, has been appointed president and general manager of the Eclipse Manufacturing Division, and Mike McConnell, previously vice president of sales and marketing, will serve as president and general manager of the Eclipse Customer Division. Roel Pieper, who took over as CEO when founder Vern Raburn departed the company, says the new framework will serve to “rapidly advance” his operational excellence strategy. “I have been directly involved in several turnaround efforts over the course of my career and believe these changes will be instrumental in driving world-class manufacturing and a superior customer experience,” he said in a news release. “I have absolute confidence in this leadership team’s ability to deliver the profitable results this company requires,” Pieper said.
In the weeks since taking over the company, Pieper has laid off 38 percent of the workforce and cut production rates of the E500 jet. The company is also facing a federal review of the FAA certification of the jet, and protests from buyers who have asked for, but have not received, returns on their deposits.
