OLNEY, Texas—Air Tractor, the leading manufacturer of single-engine agriculture, firefighting and utility aircraft announced that Craig Jimenez was elected to its board of directors at the April 10 shareholders meeting. He will serve on the Governance/Compensation and Audit committees.
Jimenez retired as President of OGE Energy Resources in 2012. He currently serves on the North Texas chapter board of the National Association of Corporate Directors and is an ERJ-175 pilot for Envoy Air (AAG). Jimenez also has previously served on the boards of OGE Energy Resources, Angel Flight Inc., PWA Inc., EcoCentri LLC, National Energy Services Association, and the Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics Foundation. He has chaired a variety of risk committees concerned with derivative securities, energy and environmental commodities, and aviation risk management. Jimenez has been a frequent presenter and author for a variety of energy, commodities, and risk venues.
Former board member Gilles Ouimet retired from the Air Tractor board at the end of his term on April 10. Ouimet had retired as Chair of Pratt & Whitney Canada in 2004 and served on the Air Tractor board since 2011.
Air Tractor President and Board Chairman Jim Hirsch thanked Ouimet for his outstanding service. “Gilles was instrumental to Air Tractor’s transition to turbine engines and brought very relevant expertise in aerospace manufacturing,” Hirsch said. “We look forward to Craig’s perspective from regulated industries such as energy and flight operations, as well as his practical approach to engineering and business risk management.”
Nominating Committee Chair Jack Pfeffer added, “Gilles was a founding independent director and ongoing contributor at Air Tractor. The board has been fortunate that we have had the opportunity to plan his succession for two years. We are very pleased with the quality of candidates interviewed. We are looking forward to Craig’s contributions and his enthusiasm for our products, people, and customers.”
Kristin Edwards, daughter of Air Tractor founder Leland Snow (1930-2011), said, “With Air Tractor’s continued growth into global and more diversified markets, we’ve recognized the benefits of having independent Board members with a wide range of expertise and business experience. Our outside Board members have provided significant guidance and direction to our company. We are sad to see Gilles go and wish him the best in his ‘second’ retirement. We are confident that Craig will bring fresh perspective and ideas to the group, and we look forward to working with him in the years to come.”
About Air Tractor
Air Tractor has been employee owned (100% ESOP) with a majority independent board since 2011. Its headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Olney, Texas. Air Tractor airplanes are used for agricultural aerial application, firefighting, narcotic crop eradication, fuel hauling, fighting locust plagues, and cleaning oil spills in coastal waters. Air Tractor aircraft can be found working in more than 30 countries around the world and are supported by a global network of Air Tractor dealers. More information can be found at AirTractor.com.
