From our humble beginnings 68 years ago as a Beechcraft dealership to our status today as the largest privately owned business jet service provider in the world, Duncan Aviation has led the industry by embracing change.
In late February, Chad Doehring, Executive VP and COO of the Duncan Aviation MRO facility in Provo, Utah, returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, to assist with issues facing his aging parents. It was a difficult decision for Chad, but this move was supported by the rest of Duncan Aviation’s SMT (Senior Management Team) and he is now VP of Customer Service for the enterprise, a role previously held by Doug Alleman. Doug, who is now VP of Engine Services, is wholly focused on our expanding engine services.
Doug started at Duncan Aviation as an Engine technician after attending Cheyenne (Wyoming) Aerotech, and Chad began his career as an Airframe technician after attending Colorado Aerotech. Both earned their A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) licenses, and Doug worked on Honeywell Aerospace TFE731 engines while Chad worked the night shift as an Airframe Tech II, working on Falcons and Hawkers.
They grew with the company and took on positions with progressively more leadership responsibilities, with key roles in the growth and expansion of the company in recent years.
After eight years as the VP of Customer Service and decades of experience with engine services and sales, Doug played an instrumental role in Duncan Aviation’s appointment as a DOF (Designated Overhaul Facility) for Pratt & Whitney’s PW300 and PW500 turbofan engines. He is also overseeing the related expansion underway now and due to be completed in Fall 2025.
“I’m excited about the change and looking forward to helping build the business as we grow our new engine facility, offer more opportunity for team members, and provide our customers with expanded services,” says Doug.
For his part, Chad feels like he’s almost come full circle.
After becoming Assistant Manager and then Manager of Airframe in the early 2000s, Chad moved to Customer Service Manager in Lincoln in 2004, which he held until moving to Provo in 2017. For the next six years, he built and guided the growth of the team and the building of the new hangars at Duncan Aviation’s full-service facility in Provo.
Because of the close relationships Chad developed with customers over the years, he wanted to be certain there was a solid succession plan for Provo long before his return to Lincoln.
In the months before Chad’s move, two SMT members, VP of Aircraft Services Cobi Lane and VP of Modifications & Completions Phil Suglia, stepped up to share the role of COO in Provo. The overlap gave Cobi and Phil time to work directly with Chad and ease into the transition.
Over the last 24 years at Duncan Aviation, Phil has learned and developed through a variety of positions, starting with Line Services and then Service Sales in Battle Creek, Michigan, before moving to Provo.
“Our foundation in Provo has never been stronger, and I’m pleased that Cobi and I have been entrusted to continue to make it a place that feels like home for both team members and customers,” says Phil.
Since joining Duncan Aviation in March 2021, Cobi has been the VP of Aircraft Services in Provo, where he’s responsible for leading the Airframe & Engine production areas.
“I’m thrilled to take the lead at the facility with Phil. With a strong team in Provo, I’m confident that we will not only uphold the Duncan Aviation brand but also exceed our customers’ expectations far into the future,” says Cobi.
Duncan Aviation President Jeff Lake is aware that change isn’t always easy, but he believes all of the recent transitions on the Duncan Aviation SMT will have a positive affect on the company, team members, and our customers.
“Chad did a tremendous job taking over the COO role in Provo in 2017, leading the facility expansion, and growing the team member headcount from fewer than 100 to more than 400 today. The Provo facility is providing the same high-quality product and customer service our customers expect from Duncan Aviation,” says Jeff. “Cobi and Phil will continue to focus on delivering superior products and services as well as building a strong leadership team to serve our team members and customers. Cobi and Phil have skill sets that complement each other, and they have proven they can work very well together toward the same goals.”
Jeff is as pleased with the changes in Lincoln.
“Chad and Doug both have a tremendous amount of experience in customer service and aircraft/engine maintenance. Not only are they leaders on the SMT, but they have long been mentors and coaches to team members,” says Jeff. “We’re excited to be awarded the Pratt & Whitney DOF, and we are extremely fortunate to have Doug lead the expansion of our Engine Services, ensuring we have a world-class engine overhaul facility. Chad’s transition back to Lincoln and his taking over the Customer Service area from Doug will allow us to focus on both areas are required."