Long-time Gulfstream Exec Joe Anckner Flies West

Joe Anckner, a long-time Gulfstream executive who helped design early models and led the company’s international sales expansion, died on October 18 in Savannah, Georgia. He was 88. Anckner spent 44 years with Gulfstream, selling more than 200 GII, GIII, GIV, and GV twinjets in more than 50 countries.

Born Jan. 30, 1932, and raised on Long Island, Anckner first joined Gulfstream predecessor company Grumman when he was 17. However, he left to serve in the U.S. Navy as a navigator for the first carrier aircraft purposefully built for anti-submarine warfare operations.

Following his service, Anckner returned to Grumman, where he worked on the Apollo Lunar Lander and was involved in early Gulfstream designs. He moved to Savannah in 1973, taking on responsibility for the OEM’s international growth. The only international salesman for Gulfstream at the time, he helped develop the Middle East market. He also led the annual NBAA Gulfstream golf tournament.

Anckner retired from Gulfstream in 1994 as senior v-p of international sales and marketing. A year later, however, he joined Harrod’s Aviation at Heathrow in London, helping to grow the FBO and opening locations in Luton and Stansted. In retirement, he continued to provide aircraft acquisition and sales for private customers.

He is survived by his wife Vicki and five children. His youngest child, Michael, is a v-p of sales at Bombardier.