StandardAero (NYSE: SARO), a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services, today announced that, after 13 years leading the Company and 45 years in the aerospace industry, Russell Ford

StandardAero (NYSE:SARO), a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services, today announced that, after 13 years leading the Company and 45 years in the aerospace industry, Russell Ford has informed the Board of Directors of his decision to retire as Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors has appointed Paul McElhinney, a 35-year industry veteran and the Company's current Lead Independent Director, to succeed Mr. Ford as CEO effective October 1, 2026.

Mr. Ford will work closely with Mr. McElhinney to facilitate a seamless leadership transition and will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of StandardAero's Board of Directors through December 31, 2026. Mr. McElhinney will become Chairman effective January 1, 2027, and Mr. Ford will continue to serve on the Board thereafter.

Mr. Ford, who has served as CEO since 2013, has led StandardAero through a remarkable period of transformation and growth. During his tenure, the Company increased annual revenue from $1.6 billion in 2013 to more than $6 billion in 2025, while significantly expanding its global footprint, broadening its capabilities, increasing its profitability and strengthening its relationships with leading operators and OEMs. Mr. Ford also guided StandardAero through its initial public offering in 2024, positioning the Company for continued long-term growth. Since becoming a public company, StandardAero has consistently delivered strong operational and financial performance, including revenue and earnings growth and backlog expansion.

Mr. McElhinney, who serves as Senior Operating Partner and Co-Head of the Portfolio Strategy and Optimization Group at AE Industrial Partners, LP, brings more than three decades of aerospace and industrial leadership experience and has been a member of the Company's Board since 2019. He previously served as President and CEO of both GE Power Services, a $15 billion power generation aftermarket business, and GE Aviation Services, where he was responsible for more than doubling the backlog of the business to over $100 billion. He also held General Counsel and Business Development roles at GE Aviation and GE Capital Aviation Services over the course of his thirty-year career at General Electric.