Piper names Calcagno acting CEO

The announcement of Calcagno’s new role as acting president and CEO was made 15 days after the company announced Caldecott would retire April 2. Piper then referenced a leadership succession plan that had been underway “for several months,” though the company has not yet specified when a permanent replacement for Caldecott may be named, or if anyone other than Calcagno is being considered for the position.

Calcagno was hired by Piper ahead of Caldecott, and became the company’s chief financial officer in 2012. He previously held various finance and executive roles outside of the aviation industry. He began his career in the audit unit at PwC (also known as PricewaterhouseCoopers), and his career progressed through various companies including Coca-Cola Co. Calcagno earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Southern Illinois University, and was honorably discharged from U.S. Air Force service, Piper noted in the announcement.

“I know that I speak for everyone at Piper Aircraft in thanking Simon for his leadership and tireless dedication to the company,” Calcagno said in the news release. “I am incredibly excited to assume this new role and for the future of the company. We have an exceptionally talented team at Piper Aircraft that is focused on taking decisive actions to transform the business, continuing to innovate our products in new and diverse ways, and unlocking future growth opportunities. I look forward to leading the company and continuing our great tradition of precision manufacturing and delivering best-in-class airplanes.”