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The Hartzell Propeller leadership team is tasked with keeping Hartzell at the forefront of innovation and excellence. Here are the key leaders of our organization.

JJ FRIGGE

JJ Frigge

President

As President of Hartzell Propeller, JJ is responsible for all operating elements of the business, including the development and execution of Hartzell’s strategy.

JJ began at Hartzell in 2011 as the company’s Controller and steadily assumed more responsibilities in leading the company, including managing the day-to-day business team in addition to marketing and brand-building efforts. JJ was promoted to President of Hartzell Propeller in January 2020. Prior to Hartzell Propeller, he spent 10 years as a finance manager at Proctor & Gamble. He is on the Communications Committee and a board member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

A 2001 Cum Laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame, JJ serves his community as vice president of the Miami County Partners for Animal Welfare and president of the Troy High School Soccer Parents Association. He is also past president of the United Way of Miami County and the Miami County Humane Society.

DOUG WASHBURN

Doug Washburn

Vice President, Engineering & Flight Safety

Doug is responsible for leading Hartzell’s Engineering and Flight Safety organizations. He joined Hartzell in 2022 after working at GE Aviation for 21 years. During his tenure with GE, Doug held numerous engineering management jobs. These included roles in jet engine design, analysis, vibration, certification, and testing.

Doug holds an MBA from Xavier University as well as a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University.

JASON GRASMAN

Jason Grasman

Vice President, Operations

Jason is responsible for propeller assembly, parts, and heated product operations. These include production, maintenance, manufacturing engineering, as well as environmental health and safety.

Prior to joining the Hartzell team in 2022, Jason gathered a wealth of knowledge in manufacturing from companies including Ingersoll Rand and Meritor/Cummins. He began his career as a manufacturing engineer, then maintenance and operations leadership.

Jason holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Ferris State University in Michigan and an MBA from Winthrop University in South Carolina.

BRIAN ROBERTS

Brian Roberts

Vice President, Manufacturing Technology and Composite

Brian is responsible for driving innovation, improving manufacturing processes, and leading Hartzell’s carbon fiber composite propeller manufacturing team.

Brian joined Hartzell in 1998 and operated CNC equipment in the machine shop before transitioning to an application engineering role in manufacturing services in 2004. Since then, Brian has held several key roles in manufacturing devoted to continuous improvement initiatives and on-time delivery. Prior to Hartzell, Brian spent 13 years in the Dayton metropolitan area focusing on the design and building of special machines and progressive stamping dies.

Brian is an active member of the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association and supports the Upper Valley Career Center’s Manufacturing & Machining Program.

Hartzell Propeller