Cessna CEO Has Left

Jack Pelton has left Cessna, the Textron-owned, Wichita, Kan.-based aircraft manufacturer, after eight years as CEO. According to Textron, the decision for Pelton, 52, to retire was made mutually by Pelton and Textron CEO Scott Donnelly. The news comes on the heels of Donnelly's pronouncement at an April 20 teleconference about "disappointing" performance at Cessna, though the official word from Textron is that this had nothing to do with the decision. Donnelly will assume Pelton's role until a successor is named.