Textron Aviation Appoints Longtime Executive Rohloff as President and CEO

Textron Inc. has confirmed a change in leadership for its aviation segment, appointing industry veteran Brian Rohloff as president and chief executive. The transition became effective on August 31, with Rohloff succeeding Ron Draper, who led the Wichita-based manufacturer for the past eight years.

Rohloff brings 29 years of experience with the company to the role. His previous position was senior vice-president of customer support, a background the company emphasized will help him maintain close ties with both the workforce and the client base. Before leading support, he held leadership roles in supply chain, sales, and quality at Cessna. He was also involved in the launch of the Citation CJ4 production line in 2009.

Draper will remain with the company as a senior advisor through the end of the year to assist with the transition. His tenure at the company spanned 27 years, including previous supply chain roles at Cessna and the Bell division.

The leadership handoff occurs during a period of product development for the company’s Cessna business jet portfolio. The manufacturer is currently introducing “Gen3” variants of its Citation M2, CJ3, and CJ4 aircraft. These updated platforms are intended to modernize the existing lineup. The company recently completed the first flight of the CJ4 Gen3 and is targeting certification before the end of 2026. The M2 Gen3 and CJ3 Gen3 are scheduled to enter service in 2027.

As a division of Textron Inc., the aviation unit operates alongside other segments including Bell, Textron Systems, and Textron eAviation. Shares of the parent company were trading lower by 2.86% at midday.

What to watch

• Progress toward the 2026 certification target for the Citation CJ4 Gen3.
• Entry into service timelines for the M2 Gen3 and CJ3 Gen3 in 2027.
• Future financial guidance from Textron Inc. regarding the aviation segment.

Source: original release