Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> May 13, 2014

Interview with the President and CEO: Esterline Technologies Corporation (ESL)

Reusser, Curtis C.
Curtis C. Reusser joined Esterline Technologies Corporation in October of 2013 as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and was appointed board Chairman in March 2014. He came to Esterline from United Technologies — UTC — where he served as a president within the Aerospace Systems division of the company. That position was created following UTC’s acquisition of Goodrich Corporation, where Mr. Reusser was President of the Electronic Systems segment, a $2.6 billion business with 7,800 employees and operations in seven countries. His responsibilities at UTC were expanded to include full operational and financial leadership for seven strategic business units employing 14,000 people and generating revenues in excess of $7 billion. During his tenure, he was instrumental in winning a number of significant new long-term programs, driving improved financial and operational performance by reducing SG&A, and leveraging supply chain, manufacturing and engineering synergies between the combined Goodrich and UTC businesses. Over his career, Mr. Reusser has held various positions of increasing responsibility. He served as President, Aerostructures at Goodrich, and that division nearly doubled its sales over the five years of his leadership and became widely recognized for world-class application of lean practices. Prior to his long tenure at Goodrich, Mr. Reusser had an early career as an engineer with General Dynamics. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Washington. Profile
TWST: If you would, please start by introducing Esterline to our readers with some historical background and an overview of the company’s operations today.

Mr. Reusser: We have an