Textron Aviation CEO Scott Ernest is shifting over to lead Textron’s industrial and specialized vehicles unit that makes snowmobiles, E-Z-GO golf carts, and lawn mowers. Ernest was replaced on Friday at the helm of Textron Aviation by Ronald Draper, who had been senior vice president for integrated supply operations for the Wichita airframer.

Ernest led Textron Aviation since 2011, during which time the company acquired the Hawker and Beechcraft brands, in 2014, and shed a variety of slow-selling models from the company’s portfolio, including the Cessna 162 Skycatcher trainer and high-performance TTx single-engine piston, as well as the Citation Mustang and Citation X+ jets. He also led company efforts to develop two new turboprop models—the single-engine Cessna Denali and the Cessna model 408 SkyCourier twin—and three new Cessna midsize to large jets: the Latitude, Longitude, and Hemisphere. During his tenure, Textron Aviation also instituted a variety of new production methods and practices designed to improve manufacturing efficiency.   

Draper has led Textron Aviation’s manufacturing operations since 2012, including support services. He joined Textron in 1999 and has held various senior capacities, including director of procurement for the V-22 tiltrotor program at Bell Helicopter and director of supply chain production development at Cessna. Draper holds an engineering management degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Wichita State University. He is a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and company commander.

Draper has “driven solid gains for the [aviation] business in recent years,” said Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly, “including the successful integration of our Beechcraft and Cessna operations, expansion of our quality management systems and global sourcing strategies. I am confident he is the right choice for leading Textron Aviation through its next phases of product development and growth.”