Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> November 10, 2003
CHARLES M. SUMA is President and Chief Executive Officer of The New
Piper Aircraft, Inc. He has spent more than 25 years moving through
positions of increasing responsibility within the company, beginning
with his first manufacturing job at Piper Aircraft in 1976. As President
and Chief Operating Officer, he was responsible for successfully growing
the company from 45 employees and $100 in cash in 1991, to 580 employees
and $70 million in sales by 1995. In July 1995 he was named President,
Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of The
New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Since then, the company has grown to 1,400
employees and $200 million in sales, and has developed seven derivative
products including the exciting new Malibu Meridian. Mr. Suma has served
on the General Aviation Manufacturers Association Board for more than
seven years and was appointed Chairman of GAMA for 2000. He has served
as the Committee Chair of the GAMA Product Liability Committee and has
also chaired the GAMA Safety Affairs Committee. Mr. Suma is active in
the Vero Beach community, serving as a Board member for the Indian River
County Chamber of Commerce, the Education Foundation of Indian River
County, the Center for the Arts, The United Way, Indian River Memorial
Hospital and the First Union Advisory Board. Profile
Mr. Suma: The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., is a manufacturer of piston
engine and entry level turbine engine general
