Story ID: 
Gulfstream Rounds Out Leadership Team with Zimmerman
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: As the new president of product support, Zimmerman is stepping into a role that has been a path to the top slot at Gulfstream.
Word Count: 302
Gulfstream Aerospace rounded out its senior leadership succession plan, naming Derek Zimmerman to succeed Mark Burns as president of the product support organization. On July 1, Burns will take the helm of the company as president, stepping in as Larry Flynn retires. In addition, Gulfstream promoted L.D. Buerger to vice president of flight-test.

Zimmerman is a relatively new employee at Gulfstream, joining in 2011 as vice president of product support materials and later becoming vice president of customer support. In that role he steered an organization that included material services, publications, the computerized maintenance program, customer relations, field service and technical operations. He came to Gulfstream with industry experience, having served as vice president of supply chain and aftermarket development for Piper Aircraft. He also has managed the supply chain for Harley Davidson.

Zimmerman moves into a role that has been a path to the top slot at Gulfstream. Both Burns and Flynn held the title of president of product support before taking the reins of the company. “We have long believed that service sells airplanes,” Burns told AIN recently. “It is a huge focus. Of our 16,000 workers, almost 5,000 are involved in product support. It is part of our core business.”

Buerger takes the role of vice president of flight-test as Gulfstream recently began flying the G500, one of two aircraft the company has under development. Buerger will be responsible for all flight-test activities for existing and new programs, including the G500 and G600. Most recently he was director of operations for advanced aircraft programs and before that director of operations for the G650. In that role, he led G650 development and production efforts through certification. Buerger joined Gulfstream in 2007 as a G450/G550 completions team manager after serving in the U.S. Air Force.