From the Woodruff School to Wall Street: A Journey of Passion and Purpose for Alumnus Russell Ford
December 10, 2024
By Chloe Arrington
Russell Ford, ME 1984, is the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of StandardAero, one of the world’s largest providers of aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul. He joined StandardAero in 2013. Eleven years later, under his leadership, the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and was the second-largest initial public offering (IPO) of 2024 and the largest aerospace IPO in the last 20 years.
From curious student to CEO, Ford is a testament to the power of passion, education, and a strategic career, and another example of a Yellow Jacket settling for nothing less than their ultimate goal.
An Early Passion for Engineering and Exploring Aerospace
From a young age, Ford was fascinated by STEM subjects and was someone always eager to understand how things worked. "I always found science and math to be the most interesting subjects for me, as I wanted to know why things operated as they did," he said. His love for mechanical objects like cars and aircraft further fueled his interest.
Choosing Georgia Tech and the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering was a strategic decision. Known for its top-tier engineering programs, Georgia Tech provided Ford with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience through the cooperative education program. Ford joined the co-op program, working with Delta Airlines. Not only did this offer financial assistance, but he credits this with providing him invaluable industry experience.
"I was fortunate to have access to a premier engineering institution like Georgia Tech, which allowed me to develop the knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in a meaningful way through the co-op program," said Ford.
Ford fondly remembers the Ramblin' Wreck Parade and the innovative machines designed each year. "There was a seemingly endless array of very cool ideas for the parade and never enough time to make all the possible contraptions we could envision," said Ford.
During his undergraduate studies, Ford developed a keen interest in materials science, particularly composite materials. Ford realized these materials were becoming increasingly important in the aerospace industry due to their advantages, such as reduced weight and increased durability. This interest and his co-op experience led him towards a specialized career in aerospace.
Ford's experience with Delta Airlines made him a competitive industry candidate. After graduation, he joined Bell Helicopter as a design engineer, working on the V-22 Osprey, one of the first aircraft to use composite materials in flight-critical components. His innovative designs earned several patents, but he desired to take his career even further.
From ME to MBA
Ford had long aspired to lead a division of a publicly traded company focused on technical products. He understood that a solid technical foundation was crucial, but he also recognized the importance of business skills.
"Once I was working in industry, I saw that very few leaders could effectively work across the technical design elements of programs and the financial return requirements," he explained.
This realization led him to pursue a master of business administration (MBA) at Duke University, complementing his technical expertise with business acumen.
After completing his MBA, he moved into senior management roles at AlliedSignal and Lockheed Martin, contributing significantly to the Joint Strike Fighter program. His work in these roles showcased his ability to blend technical knowledge with business strategy.
Following the Joint Strike Fighter win with Lockheed, Ford moved into the world of private equity (PE), where he continued to apply a broad array of his educational and work experiences, first as a chief operating officer (COO) and ultimately leading to a CEO role in the automotive sector. Ford had great success growing businesses in the rapidly paced world of PE, and he was soon offered the opportunity in 2013 to return to the aerospace industry and lead StandardAero, taking it from a $1 billion private company to the now over $10 billion publicly traded company on the NYSE. "It's been a terrific journey indeed," said Ford.
Moving into the public world opens a new set of growth opportunities, requirements, and expectations for StandardAero. "In the private sector, it is all about speed of execution and growth," said Ford. "Cash is always the primary constraint, so you must understand and manage the balance sheet. In the public world, strategy becomes essential as you must consider the long-term ramifications of your market position. For StandardAero, our size and complexity required us to operate like a public company for several years before we moved into that arena. Now, the sky is the only limit for us!"
Looking Back
When reflecting on such an accomplished career, it might be easy to ask, "What if?" but Ford has no regrets. "There is nothing I would change, looking in the rear-view mirror. That is not to say that every move was precisely correct and without difficulty. There is continual learning along the way in any career. Not all experiences are good, but even under challenging experiences, you learn lessons that you may not be able to learn any other way."
Along with a passion for international travel with his wife and sons, golf, and collecting cars, Ford is also helping future Yellow Jackets by serving on the Woodruff School Advisory Board.
Ford encourages current students to seek out mentors and carefully listen to their guidance. "Few people are successful all by themselves," he said. His advice is straightforward for those working towards a specific goal: "Never seek money or title. Rather, seek responsibility; if you do well, the money and title will find you."
About StandardAero
StandardAero was established in 1911 and has become one of the aerospace industry's most extensive independent maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers. The company offers extensive engine, airframe, component, and accessories MRO services to thousands of business aviation, commercial aviation, military, helicopter, and industrial power customers in over 80 countries. Its annual revenues will approach $5 billion (USD) in 2023.
StandardAero is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and employs approximately 7,800 full-time people in 50 facilities worldwide. StandardAero primarily competes across three end markets within the engine aftermarket industry: commercial, military, and business aviation.
