Enstrom announces leadership changes

Enstrom 280FX

Tracy Biegler will be stepping down as CEO and president of Michigan design and manufacturing firm Enstrom Helicopter – with Matthew Francour succeeding him as interim CEO.

Mr Biegler will be leaving the company on a high note, having secured deals for ten helicopters over the last few months. Enstrom sold four piston 280FXs to Pakistan in February and six 480G-B single-turbine helicopters to the Czech Republic in November last year.

In a concise departing statement, Mr Biegler said: “I feel confident the company is an excellent position, and I look forward to watching it grow,”

He began his career in aviation at Boeing, working as a flight test engineer for the B2 stealth bomber and joined Enstrom in 2003 as an engineer. He has held positions as director of sales and vice president before being appointed as CEO in 2014.

Mr. Gong Wei, chairman of the Enstrom board of directors said: “Everyone at Enstrom greatly appreciates everything Tracy has done for the company. Tracy’s dedication to the company is unquestioned, and his leadership will be missed. We wish him well on his next endeavours.”

Mr Francour is director of manufacturing at Enstrom will be taking up the position of interim CEO whilst a replacement for Mr Biegler is being found.

Alongside these changes, Enstrom has also filled two other executive positions, appointing Stephanie Bergstrom as CFO and Dennis Martin as head of sales and marketing.

Enstrom is currently in the certification process for its new TH180 piston helicopter. The prototype TH180 is taking static flight tests, including handling and controllability tasks. It is also working towards completing the FAA mandated 100-hour ground run. The helicopter was expected to be certified in 2017 but the process was delayed with no official comment from Enstrom.