ATI is proud to be the only source-approved MRO shop in the USA offering a complete in-house end-to-end J85 engine and accessory MRO service

Ken Thrasher

Ken Thrasher joined Aero Turbine, Inc. in October 2019 as Chief Operations Officer responsible for driving lean practice in all aspects of the company’s manufacturing and repair and overhaul business.

Ken joined Aero Turbine, Inc. from Meggitt plc where he held several critical roles in Manufacturing and Operational Excellence culminating as Senior Vice President of Operations for the Control Systems business unit.  Prior to this role he led transformational teams across the multinational Meggitt organization focused on lean, problem solving and improving manufacturing processes.  This included extensive tenures in China establishing a regional multi-disciplinary manufacturing center, and the UK implementing robust lean manufacturing centers of excellence.

Prior to joining Meggitt, Ken held the VP of Operations role at Derlan Industries where he led the integration of seven unique businesses consisting of landing gear, aircraft seats, cryogenic valves, space launch valves, external fuel tanks for fixed wing and rotary aircraft into a single 500k sq. ft. site in Santa Ana, California.

Ken started his career right out of college at HR Textron and spent nine years in various positions at both Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, TX and Hydraulic Research in Valencia and Pacoima, CA. During his tenure there, he held positions as a Manufacturing Engineer, Plant Manager and Director of Operations.  

Ken is passionate about lean and spent time in Japan at Shingijutsu gaining a solid foundation on the principals of the Toyota Production System and the Kaizen system.

Ken lives in Norco, California with his wife Rachael.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering with an emphasis in Manufacturing Engineering from Weber State University.