Big leadership change ahead at Wichita-founded aviation company

In the next month or two, Keith Plumb will leave the aircraft fractional ownership firm he co-founded and spent 17 years with.

Executive AirShare said Wednesday that Plumb, its president and CEO for the past seven years, will leave the company he helped start in Wichita and is now based in Lenexa.

Plumb, 46, said his departure from the company, expected in the next 30 to 60 days, was his decision and not one by Curran Cos., a Kansas City, Mo.-based investment firm that acquired majority interest in Executive AirShare in 2016.

“It’s bittersweet but it’s a personal decision,” Plumb said. “Starting as a co-founder then working all the way up to the CEO level four years ago kind of takes a strain on you.

“I’m going to remain a shareholder. I’ve got equity in the business. I’m going to take some time, relax, do some personal things, regroup and see where my next opportunity is.”

Plumb started the company with Bob Taylor in Wichita in 2000, where he worked multiple roles selling fractional shares, working as its marketer and serving as its first King Air 350 captain.

In a news release, Curran Cos. chairman Wiley Curran attributed the company’s “significant growth” to Plumb.

“He has always displayed a relentless passion for customer satisfaction,” Curran said. “The outstanding team he has built here is certainly testament to this desire.”

The company operates a fleet of 33 primarily Embraer business jets and King Air turboprops. It operates bases in nine cities in five states, including an authorized Embraer service center at Jabara Airport in east Wichita that employs about 25 people. It also manages and operates 18 business aircraft for individual owners.

The company said it has begun a search for a new CEO. Executive AirShare’s chief financial officer, John Owen, will serve as interim president

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Big leadership change ahead at Wichita-founded aviation company."