Enstrom Helicopter Corporation Names Todd Tetzlaff as Incoming President
Enstrom Helicopters enters a new era of growth and expansion as it welcomes Todd Tetzlaff back to the Enstrom family as incoming president.
Tetzlaff is no stranger to the company. He first set foot in the Menominee, MI, factory more than three decades ago when he spent a summer working in the engineering department while still a college student. After graduating, he spent the first part of his career at Enstrom, playing an integral role in designing the T-T strap installation, which is still used by the company today. He left Enstrom to pursue other engineering positions at companies such as Boeing and Raytheon (Hawker 4000), but he never lost touch with his former team members. He returned to Enstrom for seven years in the early 2000s, acting as the flight-test engineering manager, then spent the next 15 years developing his leadership skills at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, most recently serving as a project certification specialist.
What convinced Tetzlaff to return home to Enstrom as its president was new owner Chuck Surack’s contagious passion for helicopters and the Enstrom brand. He knew he wanted to be a part of that. “Chuck is committed to moving the company forward,” Tetzlaff says. “It is great to be back with my Enstrom family.”
Current president Matt Francour says, “I think Todd is the perfect choice to lead Enstrom into this new era. He not only brings extensive aviation knowledge and experience but also a deep love for and history with the company.”
Francour plans to begin his retirement in late April 2023, at which time he will officially pass the torch to Tetzlaff. “Matt has mentored me ever since I first arrived at Enstrom,” Tetzlaff says. “His guidance has been invaluable as I prepare to take the lead, and I am forever grateful.”
Tetzlaff is also excited to lead research into longer-term upgrades. “Enstrom has a rich history going back more than 60 years,” he says. “There’s something to be said about that in this industry. Many great aircraft companies have come and gone in that time. We are still here, and we plan to be for a very long time.”
Tetzlaff earned a B.S. in aircraft engineering technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is an FAA-licensed pilot holding CPL-H and PPL-SEL ratings. He and his wife, Lissette, have been married for 30 years and have three grown children.
All rotorcraft enthusiasts are invited to come meet Todd Tetzlaff at this year’s HAI Heli-Expo in Atlanta, GA, March 7-9. Enstrom Helicopters can be found at Booth C2820 where visitors can connect with Tetzlaff about his vision for the future of Enstrom.