SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - StandardAero (NYSE:SARO) announced Monday that Russell Ford will retire as chief executive officer after 13 years, with Paul McElhinney set to assume the role effective October 1, 2026.
Ford, who has spent 45 years in the aerospace industry, will transition to executive chairman through December 31, 2026, to facilitate the leadership change. McElhinney will become chairman on January 1, 2027, while Ford will continue serving on the board.
During Ford’s tenure as CEO since 2013, StandardAero’s annual revenue grew from $1.6 billion to more than $6 billion in 2025, with the company reporting revenue of $6.25 billion in the last twelve months and maintaining a 15% revenue growth rate. The company, now valued at a market capitalization of $9.1 billion, was led through its initial public offering by Ford in 2024.
McElhinney brings 35 years of aerospace and industrial experience to the position. He currently serves as senior operating partner and co-head of the portfolio strategy and optimization group at AE Industrial Partners and has been a StandardAero board member since 2019. He previously served as president and CEO of GE Power Services, a $15 billion power generation aftermarket business, and GE Aviation Services during his 30-year career at General Electric.
"Under Russ’ leadership, StandardAero has grown into a market leader, delivered significant value and established strong momentum across the business," said Doug Brandely, a StandardAero director, according to a press release statement.
StandardAero provides aerospace engine aftermarket services for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, serving commercial, military and business aviation markets. The company offers engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services, component repair, on-wing support, asset management and engineering solutions.According to InvestingPro analysis, StandardAero currently trades below its Fair Value, suggesting potential upside for investors. The company has earned a perfect Piotroski Score of 9, indicating strong financial health. For deeper insights, investors can access StandardAero’s comprehensive Pro Research Report, one of 1,400+ available on InvestingPro, which transforms complex data into actionable intelligence.
In other recent news, StandardAero Inc. reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2026, with a total revenue of $1.63 billion, representing a 13.3% organic increase compared to the previous year. The company achieved an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.33, which met market expectations. Additionally, Bernstein SocGen Group reiterated an Outperform rating on StandardAero, setting a price target of $39.00, citing strong demand and significant growth in business jet activity and commercial aerospace and defense revenues. RBC Capital also maintained an Outperform rating with a $34.00 price target, expressing confidence in the company’s ability to withstand current market crises. Conversely, Jefferies downgraded StandardAero from Buy to Hold, reducing its price target to $30.00 due to concerns about slower near-term air traffic growth. These developments reflect a mix of optimism and caution among analysts regarding StandardAero’s future performance.
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