Duncan Aviation Announces Senior Leadership Changes for Michigan Facilities

Duncan Aviation's Michigan locations will see leadership changes in 2027. Travis Grimsley (middle) has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Michigan Operations. Longtime team member Nate Darlington will move into Grimsley’s previous position as Vice President of Aircraft Services and Justin Merkling has joined the company's Senior Leadership team assuming the role of Vice President of Modifications for Battle Creek. Click image for high-res download.

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, engineering and certification services, fabrication and manufacturing 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 https://DuncanAviation.aero/services