RDD LEADERSHIP
We are proud of the diversity and extent of aviation knowledge that our team represents. Each person has a unique set of skills and abilities that set RDD apart as a premier organization. We know it is no accident that each of us has been brought together to provide service beyond that found anywhere else in our market.
David McRae
Owner/Marketing and Sales/Customer Care/Business Development
David began his aviation career as an FBO fuel truck driver in San Diego. From there he worked as an A&P Mechanic and has also owned an FBO and aircraft sales and service center for a major light GA manufacturer. Prior to joining RDD, David served with Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing in two different Vice President capacities. David holds Commercial SEL with an Instrument Rating and has flight experience in a wide variety of GA aircraft. Additionally he holds an A&P with Inspection Authorization. David has also built two Lancair aircraft and has performed many inspections prior to first flights and completed many first flights of Amateur Built aircraft. David holds a BS in Aviation Flight and Maintenance Technology and is passionate about the processes employed to both build a great airplane and a great company. David's expertise includes:
Owner/Marketing and Sales/Customer Care/Business Development
David began his aviation career as an FBO fuel truck driver in San Diego. From there he worked as an A&P Mechanic and has also owned an FBO and aircraft sales and service center for a major light GA manufacturer. Prior to joining RDD, David served with Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing in two different Vice President capacities. David holds Commercial SEL with an Instrument Rating and has flight experience in a wide variety of GA aircraft. Additionally he holds an A&P with Inspection Authorization. David has also built two Lancair aircraft and has performed many inspections prior to first flights and completed many first flights of Amateur Built aircraft. David holds a BS in Aviation Flight and Maintenance Technology and is passionate about the processes employed to both build a great airplane and a great company. David's expertise includes:
- Worldwide aircraft service network design and implementation for a Part 23 Aircraft Manufacturer
- Oversight of Initial and Recurrent training syllabus formation and implementation
- Implementation of lean enterprise concepts
- Business management
- Quality standard development and implementation
Eric Schmidlin
Owner/Engineering/Manufacturing/Business Development
Eric is an innovative, results-driven leader with broad-based expertise in operations, strategic planning and business development. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University and a dual Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering and management (MBA) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With 20 years of diverse industry and functional expertise in executive and director level positions, he has lead organizations through significant growth, diversification, subsequent mergers, and acquisitions activities.
He brings not only Fortune 100 corporate experience with Johnson Controls Inc., Honeywell Aerospace, Boeing Space and Communications, but also significant entrepreneurial success leading companies like Ryan International, Avidyne Corporation, and S&G Manufacturing Group. Eric has also built and flies his own Lancair Legacy aircraft.
Eric's expertise include:
Owner/Engineering/Manufacturing/Business Development
Eric is an innovative, results-driven leader with broad-based expertise in operations, strategic planning and business development. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University and a dual Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering and management (MBA) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With 20 years of diverse industry and functional expertise in executive and director level positions, he has lead organizations through significant growth, diversification, subsequent mergers, and acquisitions activities.
He brings not only Fortune 100 corporate experience with Johnson Controls Inc., Honeywell Aerospace, Boeing Space and Communications, but also significant entrepreneurial success leading companies like Ryan International, Avidyne Corporation, and S&G Manufacturing Group. Eric has also built and flies his own Lancair Legacy aircraft.
Eric's expertise include:
- Strategic Planning - Optimized revenue and earnings by revamping business model and strategy- resulted in annual earnings growth of 380% over prior year, with full earnings growth recognized at 15 times the baseline.
- Transformational Change - Restructured and re-invigorated corporate division to become most productive area, exceeding performance objectives.
- Business Development and Sales Leadership - Personally closed private and public sector contracts. Led sales teams and focused personnel on strategic sales.
- Mergers and Acquisitions - Spearheaded merger; conducted due diligence, led negotiations, integrated operations, managed strategic relationships and assumed senior responsibilities in combined organization.
- Engineering Leadership – Reduced time to market by focusing engineering team on key market requirements and allocating resources to strategic products.