Jim’s background at Hartzell included foreman and later director of Hartzell’s Service Center; vice-president, parts and service. As co-President, Brown has been principally involved with sales and engineering as well as general management. As a result of his broad experience at Hartzell, Jim has developed specific skills in:

• The use of clear metrics to drive performance
• Worldwide parts distribution from Hartzell’s master warehouse
• Development and launch of new products
• Risk management including product liability insurance negotiation in both New York and London
• Structuring and negotiating long term commercial agreements
• Design and oversight of a variety of employee benefit and welfare plans

Jim Brown is a graduate of Georgetown University and Case Western Reserve School of Law (magna Cum Laude and Order of the Coif).

Joe specializes in defining and implementing operational strategies that promote product and manufacturing innovation, business growth and improved metrics. Under the broad heading of continuous improvement, he has a passion for and experience in the principles of:

• Lean manufacturing and waste reduction
• Development of self-directed work teams
• Cellular manufacturing
• Enabling technologies of ERP and CAD/CAM

The rigorous application of these disciplines has been crucial to developing the capacity and productivity to meet the growth objectives of the company and has led to the broad development of a more talented, intense and cohesive workforce. Joe is deeply involved in the General Aviation industry and serves on the boards of Experimental Aircraft Association, IMC Club and General Aviation Manufacturers Association. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Middlebury College.

Jesch’s background includes serving as chief financial officer at NewPage Corporation, a $2.5 billion paper manufacturer. In addition to CFO, Jesch has served in numerous financial and strategic roles balanced by operating and IT assignments. As a result of his broad financial experience, Jesch developed a working command of the following areas:

• Merger & Acquisitions – led or participated in M&A transactions totaling nearly $4B
• Treasury & Debt – implemented and managed a complex $1.8B capital structure composed of a large banking syndicate and tranches of public bonds
• Post Merger Integration – key leadership role in integration of Mead Paper and MeadWestvaco paper with synergies realized in excess of $170MM
• Strategy & Business Planning
• Operations Analysis

Jesch is a 1987 graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. in accounting. He successfully completed his CPA (not maintained).

Chris’s background in manufacturing, financial analysis, audit and tax has served him well for his progressive responsibilities inside Tailwind. He is finance by trade but has an operating mindset that gives him the ability to work closely with functional leads to help solve the challenges of running a business. As a result of Chris’s broad experience inside and outside the company, he has developed specific skills in:

• Operating metrics to drive results and productivity
• Strategy & Business Planning
• Acquisitions & Divestitures—participated in acquisitions and the sale process of a business
• Post-acquisition integration and financial reporting

Chris is a 1998 graduate of Wright State University with a B.S. in Accounting and has completed his CPA (non-practicing).