StandardAero Appoints Michael L. Kaplan as Chief Legal Officer, Succeeding Longtime Executive Steve Sinquefield
StandardAero, one of the world’s largest independent providers of aerospace engine aftermarket services, announced today that Michael L. Kaplan will rejoin the organization as Chief Legal Officer, effective October 6, 2025. The appointment marks both a return and a renewal, as Kaplan previously served in senior executive roles at the company and now steps back into a position that will be pivotal in guiding StandardAero through its next phase of growth and transformation.
Kaplan succeeds Steve Sinquefield, who has held the Chief Legal Officer position for more than a decade and will retire at the close of 2025, concluding a distinguished career in aviation law that spans four decades. Kaplan will be based at StandardAero’s global headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, and will report directly to Russell Ford, the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
A Return to Familiar Ground
Michael L. Kaplan is no stranger to StandardAero. During his earlier tenure, he held the roles of Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Security Officer, and Corporate Secretary. His return reflects not only his longstanding familiarity with the company’s culture, operations, and industry challenges but also StandardAero’s confidence in his ability to strengthen its legal and compliance framework during a period of sustained growth.
Kaplan’s legal career spans more than 25 years, marked by a combination of private practice, corporate leadership, and board-level advisory roles. Most recently, he was Senior Counsel at Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm recognized for its strength in corporate and regulatory matters. In that role, Kaplan advised a wide range of clients on complex issues involving corporate governance, securities compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic business transactions. His experience in guiding organizations through regulatory scrutiny, risk management, and transformative deals has been widely acknowledged in the legal community.
Prior to Norton Rose Fulbright, Kaplan spent over a decade as Chief Legal Officer at M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., a Fortune 500 home construction and real estate development company, as well as at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a publicly traded restaurant group. In both organizations, he oversaw not only legal strategy but also compliance functions, corporate governance, and risk management programs. His leadership extended beyond the legal department, earning him a reputation as a trusted executive advisor capable of aligning legal strategies with broader business objectives.
Leadership Transition and Recognition of Service
The appointment of Kaplan comes as StandardAero prepares for the retirement of Steve Sinquefield, who has been instrumental in shaping the company’s legal and compliance framework during a decade of transformative growth. Sinquefield joined StandardAero after holding senior legal roles at a number of leading aerospace and defense companies, including Beechcraft Aircraft Company, Raytheon Aerospace Services, Vertex Aerospace, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, and Tenax Aerospace Holdings.
At StandardAero, Sinquefield provided legal stewardship through a period that saw major acquisitions, global expansion, and diversification of services across commercial, military, and business aviation markets. Under his watch, the company successfully navigated regulatory challenges, enhanced compliance programs, and strengthened its reputation as a reliable, independent provider of critical aerospace services.
“Steve’s leadership has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Russell Ford, Chairman and CEO of StandardAero. “Over the past decade, he has played a vital role in ensuring the company’s stability, integrity, and resilience as we pursued ambitious growth. His insights and dedication have been pivotal in making StandardAero the global leader it is today. We thank him for his service and wish him well as he transitions into retirement.”
Ford also highlighted the company’s enthusiasm about Kaplan’s return: “We are delighted to welcome Michael back to StandardAero. He brings deep legal and compliance expertise across multiple industries, as well as direct experience with both our company and the aviation sector. His proven ability to deliver results, his steady leadership, and his vision for the role of legal counsel in advancing corporate strategy will be invaluable as we continue to execute on our long-term growth plan.”
Continuity and Transition
While Kaplan assumes his role on October 6, Sinquefield will remain with the company until the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. This overlap underscores StandardAero’s commitment to continuity and careful succession planning. It will also provide Kaplan with the opportunity to collaborate with his predecessor, gaining valuable insights into ongoing initiatives while building upon the strong legal foundation already in place.
Such seamless transitions are particularly critical in the aerospace industry, where regulatory compliance, safety standards, and contractual obligations with government and commercial partners require both consistency and foresight. StandardAero’s proactive approach reflects its dedication to governance excellence, an essential component of maintaining trust with its global customer base and industry regulators alike.
StandardAero’s Position in the Aerospace Market
Founded more than a century ago, StandardAero has grown into one of the most respected names in aerospace engine aftermarket services. The company specializes in engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, serving customers in commercial aviation, defense and military aviation, and business aviation sectors.
Its offerings extend beyond traditional MRO services to include component repair, on-wing and field service support, engineering solutions, and asset management programs. With a network of service facilities worldwide, StandardAero is known for combining technical excellence with customer-focused solutions, ensuring aircraft operators maximize performance, safety, and lifecycle value.
As a “pure-play” independent provider, StandardAero occupies a unique space in the industry. Unlike original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), whose primary business revolves around selling new aircraft engines and components, StandardAero is dedicated exclusively to the aftermarket segment. This independence allows it to provide flexible, value-driven solutions tailored to the needs of airlines, business jet operators, and government fleets.
The appointment of Kaplan signals StandardAero’s continued emphasis on strengthening its executive leadership team with seasoned professionals capable of guiding the company through evolving challenges and opportunities. In today’s aerospace market, legal and compliance leaders play a far more strategic role than in decades past. They are tasked not only with protecting companies from risk but also with enabling growth through effective governance, contract structuring, regulatory alignment, and strategic deal-making.
For StandardAero, which continues to expand its footprint across global markets, the role of Chief Legal Officer will be central to navigating cross-border transactions, joint ventures, and partnerships, while also ensuring adherence to complex aviation regulations. Kaplan’s broad-based experience—ranging from aviation and aerospace to consumer industries and corporate law—positions him well to provide both operational support and strategic counsel.
A Legacy and a New Chapter
As StandardAero celebrates the achievements of Steve Sinquefield and welcomes back Michael Kaplan, the company underscores a core principle: leadership transitions, when handled thoughtfully, can both honor the past and pave the way for the future. Sinquefield’s career reflects a lifetime of dedication to aviation law and corporate stewardship, while Kaplan’s return represents renewal, continuity, and the company’s confidence in its trajectory.
For StandardAero’s employees, customers, and partners, this transition serves as a reminder that the company remains committed not only to technical excellence in aerospace services but also to the integrity, governance, and leadership necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex global industry.