Press Releases

Disbrow Apointed Senior Vice President

PIQUA, Ohio — February 22, 2001 — Hartzell Propeller today announced that it has formed an Aircraft Applications Engineering group which aligns Hartzell’s engineering expertise with its existing sales and marketing department. The newly formed group brings together the technical expertise of key Hartzell associates to develop new propeller applications, enabling Hartzell to better service and support its customers.

As part of the creation of the new team, Hartzell has promoted Mike Disbrow to Senior Vice President of Marketing, Applications and Customer Support. Under the direction of Disbrow, the Aircraft Applications Engineering group’s main responsibilities include the development of new propeller blade designs, spinner designs, de-ice applications, and Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), as well as flight test functions.

Disbrow, who most recently served as Hartzell’s Vice President of Marketing and Customer Support, is responsible for overseeing Hartzell’s Product Support team, OEM Sales group, Top Prop™ STC propeller conversion program and now the Aircraft Applications Engineering group. During his 13-year tenure at the company, he has held a variety of positions, including managing the company’s factory service center, as well as launching the Hartzell Top Prop program and directing Hartzell’s Dornier 328 program.

“Mike has done an outstanding job of leading Hartzell efforts over the course of his career with us,” said Hartzell Propeller Co-President Jim Brown III. “We are confident that he will successfully drive the initiatives of our new Aircraft Applications Engineering group, ultimately resulting in enhanced products, services and coordination for our customers.”

Disbrow currently serves on the Purdue University Department of Aviation Technology’s Industrial Advisory Committee, the Junior Achievement of Dayton board of trustees, and the YMCA of Miami County’s board of directors. He received his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and earned his master’s degree in business administration from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.

In addition to Disbrow’s promotion, Hartzell has appointed Brian Meyer as the Manager of the Aircraft Applications Engineering group. Formerly Hartzell’s Manager of STC Programs, in his new capacity he is responsible for the day-to-day management of the team to ensure superior quality in engineering propeller applications including propeller integration, spinner design, flight testing and de-ice system integration.

Meyer has extensive experience in design, certification, flight test functions and STCs, as well as commercial experience from managing the Top Prop program. A registered Professional Engineer and FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER), he is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Meyer has been an active pilot for more than 22 years, holds FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certificates, and has built three airplanes. He earned his bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan and his master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Hartzell Propeller Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of propeller systems, well known for its advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The company is rich in aviation heritage tracing its beginnings to relationships with Orville Wright and Glenn Curtiss. Significant technical innovations include the industry’s first full-feathering propeller for light twins, the first fully reversing propellers for corporate turboprops and the industry’s first composite structure blades. Hartzell was recently selected by NASA as the exclusive propeller partner for its General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program – developing the next generation of general aviation propulsion systems.