Peter Maurer, who has led Diamond Aircraft’s Canadian operations for nearly two decades, is retiring. Scott McFadzean, who has been chief operating officer, is succeeding Maurer as CEO, and Kevin Sheng is taking the role of COO.

The changes come a month after Wanfeng Aviation, the Canada-based division of a Chinese conglomerate, announced that it had acquired a controlling, 60 percent stake in Diamond Aircraft Industries (Diamond Canada), along with the rights to the seven-passenger DA62 twin and four-passenger DA40 single.

“Following the acquisition of Diamond’s Austrian and Canadian operations we intend to grow Diamond’s global business by improving our customers’ experience, actively expanding global sales and increasing efficiencies in all our operations,” said Diamond Aircraft chairman Bin Chen. “The announced personnel changes will support these efforts, especially with regard to making best combined use of all our global resources.”

“With Scott McFadzean’s promotion to CEO of Diamond’s Canadian operations, its leadership is in most capable hands,” Maurer added. “The combination of Diamond’s leading-edge piston aircraft technology with Wanfeng’s proven business expertise and aviation vision ensures the long-term success of our company.”