Russell Ford to Retire as CEO After Accomplished 13-Year Tenure; Will Remain as Executive Chairman through Year-End

Paul McElhinney Appointed Chief Executive Officer Effective October 1, 2026

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – June 2, 2026 – StandardAero (NYSE: SARO), a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services, today announced that, after 13 years leading the Company and 45 years in the aerospace industry, Russell Ford has informed the Board of Directors of his decision to retire as Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors has appointed Paul McElhinney, a 35-year industry veteran and the Company’s current Lead Independent Director, to succeed Mr. Ford as CEO effective October 1, 2026.

Mr. Ford will work closely with Mr. McElhinney to facilitate a seamless leadership transition and will continue to serve as Executive Chairman of StandardAero’s Board of Directors through December 31, 2026. Mr. McElhinney will become Chairman effective January 1, 2027, and Mr. Ford will continue to serve on the Board thereafter.

Mr. Ford, who has served as CEO since 2013, has led StandardAero through a remarkable period of transformation and growth. During his tenure, the Company increased annual revenue from $1.6 billion in 2013 to more than $6 billion in 2025, while significantly expanding its global footprint, broadening its capabilities, increasing its profitability and strengthening its relationships with leading operators and OEMs. Mr. Ford also guided StandardAero through its initial public offering in 2024, positioning the Company for continued long-term growth. Since becoming a public company, StandardAero has consistently delivered strong operational and financial performance, including revenue and earnings growth and backlog expansion.

Mr. McElhinney, who serves as Senior Operating Partner and Co-Head of the Portfolio Strategy and Optimization Group at AE Industrial Partners, LP, brings more than three decades of aerospace and industrial leadership experience and has been a member of the Company’s Board since 2019. He previously served as President and CEO of both GE Power Services, a $15 billion power generation aftermarket business, and GE Aviation Services, where he was responsible for more than doubling the backlog of the business to over $100 billion. He also held General Counsel and Business Development roles at GE Aviation and GE Capital Aviation Services over the course of his thirty-year career at General Electric.

“On behalf of the Board, we congratulate Russ on an extraordinary tenure leading StandardAero and thank him for his exceptional leadership and lasting contributions to the Company,” said Doug Brandely, Director, StandardAero. “Under Russ’ leadership, StandardAero has grown into a market leader, delivered significant value and established strong momentum across the business. After accomplishing the ambitious goals he set out to achieve, Russ has made the decision to retire with the Company well positioned for continued success.”

Mr. Brandely continued, “Paul’s appointment as CEO is the culmination of the Board’s thoughtful succession planning process. He is a seasoned industry leader with a deep and unique understanding of StandardAero’s strategy, customers and culture, and the Board is confident he is the right person to build on that momentum and guide StandardAero through its next chapter.”

“It has been a privilege to lead the StandardAero team as CEO over the past 13 years,” said Mr. Ford. “Together, we have strengthened our portfolio, deepened our customer relationships and continued to deliver value to shareholders with strong financial performance. I have worked closely with Paul over the past several years in his capacity as Lead Independent Director and am excited about the future of StandardAero with him at the helm. I look forward to supporting a seamless transition of leadership and continuing to contribute on the Board.”

“StandardAero plays a critical role in the aerospace aftermarket and, with robust demand across all its end markets and a clear trajectory for continued growth, is well positioned to capture the market opportunity ahead,” said Mr. McElhinney. “I am honored to be appointed the next CEO of the Company and look forward to building on the strong foundation Russ and the team have established as we continue to deliver for our customers and shareholders.”