LINCOLN, NEB. — Duncan Aviation President Mike Minchow recently announced several senior leadership changes at the company’s Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan, facilities. The planned transitions will provide continuity for customers and team members while preparing Duncan Aviation’s Michigan operations for the future.

Effective January 1, 2027, Andy Richards, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan locations, will retire from his full-time role after nearly 30 years with the company. Richards will transition to a part-time consulting position, providing continuity and support to leaders, team members, and customers.

“Andy’s impact on Duncan Aviation has been significant. His care for people, commitment to customers, and thoughtful leadership helped shape the culture of our Michigan facilities. We’re grateful his experience and perspective will remain available as we make this transition,” said Minchow.

As Richards prepares to step away from full-time leadership, Duncan Aviation has named Travis Grimsley Executive Vice President and General Manager of Michigan Operations. Grimsley most recently served as Vice President of Aircraft Services in Michigan.

Grimsley joined Duncan Aviation in 2005 as a Line Services Representative and has steadily taken on positions of increasing responsibility. He transitioned to Manager of Customer Service in 2016 and Director of Maintenance in 2019 before becoming Vice President of Aircraft Services. Throughout his career, a common thread has been his genuine desire to create a positive experience for customers and team members and to build relationships based on trust.

Nate Darlington will move into Grimsley’s previous position as Vice President of Aircraft Services. Darlington brings extensive operational experience, strong leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of the Michigan operations as well as the business aviation industry and will now oversee the Airframe and Paint areas in Battle Creek and focus on strengthening coordination across Duncan Aviation’s service network, helping customers efficiently access the company’s broad capabilities and expertise.

Additionally, Justin Merkling is a new addition to the Senior Leadership team in Battle Creek. Justin brings more than 25 years of Duncan Aviation experience to the role of Vice President of Modifications for Battle Creek, where he oversees Interior, Avionics Installations, and Engine/Accessory. Justin joined Duncan Aviation in 1999 as an Airframe Technician and has built a career spanning technical, operational, leadership, and customer-facing roles. His positions have included Citation & Hawker Tech Rep, Engine Services Manager, Accessory Manager, and, most recently, Battle Creek Customer Service Manager. That breadth of experience gives Merkling a unique understanding of an aircraft project from both the technical and customer perspectives.

Together, the leadership changes reflect Duncan Aviation’s long-term approach to succession planning and its commitment to maintaining experienced, accessible leadership for customers while developing the next generation of company leaders. With decades of Duncan Aviation experience among the leaders stepping into new roles, customers can expect the relationships, expertise, and commitment to service they have come to rely on to continue well into the future.

About Duncan Aviation

Duncan Aviation is an aircraft service provider supporting the aviation needs of business aircraft operators, government agencies, and other aircraft service providers. Services include major and minor airframe inspections, engine maintenance, major retrofits for cabin and cockpit avionics systems, full paint and interior services, and preowned aircraft sales and acquisitions. Duncan Aviation also has international aircraft components solutions experts available 24/7/365 at +1 402.475.4125 who can handle any aircraft system problem with immediate exchanges, rotables, loaners or avionics/instrument/accessory repairs and overhauls. Complete service facilities are located in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah. We also have dozens of other facilities strategically located throughout the United States to provide customers with scheduled regional support and the quickest response possible to avionics, engine and airframe Aircraft On Ground (AOG) situations.

For more information about any of Duncan Aviation’s services, call +1 402.475.2611 or visit www.DuncanAviation.aero.

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his career in aviation and has worked in most areas of our industry with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc currently represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Continued Airworthiness Group and with the Association for Remotely Piloted Aviation Services (ARPAS). 

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities.  The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after six years to continue our good work for industry. With the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to undertake this work with the regulator including regular discussions and a full industry day with the CAA each year.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum, which allows industry in the UK to discuss the financial plans for the CAA and look closely at the services being delivered to industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. 

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform” .  The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. 

The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Moving into 2026 we are seeking to further develop the pathways to enter aviation, and this effort is being supported with development of multimedia platforms with the organisation Metaverse. This multimedia approach is being developed so that it is more relatable to the next generation of people wishing to join aviation in a myriad of roles.

In the role of President (honorary) Marc can support the BBGA in many aspects and continue to ensure that we retain the right connections across industry, with regulators in the UK, regulators in the EU and wherever possible help hold government and its departments to account using normal channels, and where necessary utilise All Party-Political Groups for aviation.

BBGA Annual Conference and AGM

• BBGA Summer 2027 Networking Event

BBGA Universal Aviation 2027 Golf Tournament

• BBGA Universal Aviation Golf Tournament 2027

• BBGA and Close Brothers Christmas Drinks Reception 2027 –

James Carroll

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver