RANS Aircraft has announced that founder Randy Schlitter will be handing over the title and duties of President to long-term employee Tony Dopita. “Tony knows the planes, the customers, and the business,” says Randy Schlitter, designer of the RANS line of airplanes, “and he understands customer service. I’m confident in his ability and his commitment to our customers and our brand. This gives me the opportunity to turn a corner, and I’m happy to spend more time in the R&D department to further the advancements in sport and utility aviation for RANS.”
Tony is a third-generation pilot, second generation RANS kit builder and has worked for RANS for 20 years. He has performed virtually every task in manufacturing and production and has been the Production Manager at RANS since 2017. “I am pleased to get this opportunity,” he said, “and I look forward to maintaining the ship’s course of the quality, customer service, and fun that has become the RANS status quo as we evolve and grow.”
Randy Schlitter remains CEO of RANS Aircraft, and his wife, Michele, remains in the VP position.
At some point in time the reins have to be passed on. Randy, has done a great job in the development and sales of the Rans product line. He is definitely a legend in the kit plane field. He has left his lifelong mark. As a aircraft designer, retirement is never an option. Those creative juices never quit flowing. Maybe he will have more time to do the real fun and that is to design and build new alternatives to further the aviation field. My work in electrostatics wings as in using electric current to self propel wings instead of propellors and combustion technology has continued over the years. But the need is more electric power aboard the aircraft to make it happen. I have been successful. Hope fully Randy will move to design electric aircraft because that’s where the market is moving towards. Good luck Randy on your next work and God bless your work. Congratulations to the new boss also.
Sonex, Zenith, Vans and Rans.
All of these businesses have to do the “succession thing” after their founding designer-entrepeneur moves into a much deserved retirement.
I hope (no I’m sure), Rans is in good hands.