Few people have had a greater impact on Duncan Aviation than its founder, Donald Duncan.

Born near Clarinda, Iowa, in 1922, Donald possessed a remarkable ability to recognize opportunity, build relationships, and inspire others to turn ideas into reality. Whether operating a farm, automobile dealership, bank, or aviation business, he approached every endeavor with optimism, determination, and integrity.

Those qualities became the foundation of Duncan Aviation when he entered the aviation business in 1956. Donald believed business should create value for everyone involved and that trust mattered more than contracts. His handshake was his word.

Perhaps no accomplishment better reflects his entrepreneurial spirit than his early partnership with Bill Lear and Learjet. Through vision, persistence, and mutual trust, Donald helped create opportunities that would influence the future of business aviation.

Today, his legacy lives on in every customer interaction, every problem solved, and every team member who embraces Duncan Aviation’s enduring “can-do” culture.

Robert Duncan guided Duncan Aviation through decades of growth by embracing change while remaining steadfast in the company’s core values.

Having worked throughout the business from an early age, Robert understood every aspect of the operation—from fueling aircraft to leading strategic decisions. His experience shaped a leadership style centered on listening, empowering others, and continually improving.

Aviation has been a lifelong passion for Robert. He began flying lessons at age 15, soloed at 16, earned his private pilot license at 17, and his commercial license at 18. At just 23, he became the youngest certified pilot to fly the Learjet. Those years in the cockpit gave Robert a firsthand understanding of aviation and the people Duncan Aviation serves.

Robert has long believed that lasting success requires adaptability. Under his leadership, Duncan Aviation expanded its capabilities, strengthened customer relationships, and fostered a culture where innovation was encouraged and thoughtful risks were embraced.

That adaptability proved especially important in the 1980s, when Robert recognized the opportunity to shift Duncan Aviation’s focus from aircraft sales toward service and support, helping set the course for the company today.

Robert’s commitment to keeping Duncan Aviation family-owned continues today, preserving its culture and values for future generations.

As the third generation of Duncan family leadership, Todd Duncan has focused on preparing Duncan Aviation not only for today’s challenges, but for future generations of customers and team members.

After joining the company in 1988 and gaining experience across multiple areas of the business, Todd developed a broad perspective on leadership, customer service, and organizational growth. He became Chairman of the Board in 2007 and has continued to champion the values established by his grandfather and strengthened by his father.

A licensed pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings, Todd understands aviation from both the flight deck and the boardroom. His leadership philosophy emphasizes relationships, integrity, teamwork, and a long-term commitment to excellence.

Under his guidance, Duncan Aviation has continued to invest in team member development, expand its capabilities, and strengthen customer relationships while preserving the family-owned culture that sets the company apart.

Perhaps most importantly, Todd has helped ensure that thoughtful succession planning remains a priority. With a fourth generation of the Duncan family now involved in the business, he views stewardship not simply as preserving a legacy, but as preparing the company to thrive for decades to come.

Karen Duncan’s influence can be seen throughout Duncan Aviation’s culture—in its commitment to education, its investment in people, and its appreciation for creativity and lifelong learning.

Alongside her husband, Robert, Karen has long believed that strong organizations are built by supporting individuals and creating opportunities for growth. That philosophy helped inspire initiatives such as the Karen K. Duncan Scholarship Program, which has awarded hundreds of scholarships to children of Duncan Aviation team members pursuing higher education.

Her commitment to recognizing dedication also contributed to the creation of the Silver Wings Club, which honors team members who have devoted 25 or more years of their careers to the company. She and Robert are currently in the process of starting a Gold Wings Club for team members who have worked for Duncan Aviation 50 years or more.

Beyond Duncan Aviation, Karen has championed arts education, cultural engagement, and community involvement. Her appreciation for visual art and learning helped inspire the collaborative anniversary art project itself, making this collection a particularly fitting tribute to her impact.

Through her generosity, curiosity, and belief in people, Karen has helped foster a culture where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Connie Duncan, wife of Chairman of the Board of Directors, Todd Duncan, plays a vital and inspiring role at Duncan Aviation, combining her passion for education, philanthropy, and community impact with her position as a member of the company’s leadership. She currently serves as Vice President of the Duncan Aviation Family Trust, a charitable organization that annually awards grants exceeding $500,000 to support education, human services, and aviation/STEM programs in the communities where Duncan Aviation operates.

One of her signature initiatives resulted in a $3.34 million gift to Lincoln Public Schools to build a dedicated aviation and technical-education facility at North Star High School. Connie often emphasizes the impact of hands-on learning experiences and aspires to ignite students’ curiosity about aviation careers.

Within Duncan Aviation, Connie has also been an advocate for the Karen K. Duncan Scholarship, a program that advances the education of team members’ children by awarding merit-based college scholarships. She has spoken publicly about the company’s belief that “our team members are our family,” and sees investing in their futures as a moral responsibility.

Her leadership is rooted in humility, service, and a collaborative spirit. Whether hosting community events, or guiding philanthropic strategy behind the scenes, Connie continues to strengthen Duncan Aviation’s commitment to building bridges between aviation, education, and community.

If one was to use a person as the definition of the term “loyal friend,” Darlene Christensen certainly fills that role. Born on December 14, 1929, she began a 50-year association with Donald Duncan and Duncan Aviation in 1954—starting by persuading Donald to hire her at his car dealership so she could pay for the car she bought from him.

Darlene quickly became indispensable, handling payroll, accounting, parts, customer service, and even caring for Donald’s children. She had a deep love for children and animals, always eager to cuddle a child or engage warmly with visitors. She soon recognized Donald’s passion for aviation and supported his shift into the airplane business in 1956, flying daily from Clarinda, Iowa, to Omaha, Nebraska. Her skills were crucial to the budding operation.

As Duncan Aviation grew, Darlene moved with it—eventually settling on a farm near Raymond, Nebraska. Her calm, thoughtful demeanor left an impression on thousands. “It never mattered what time of the day or night or how difficult the problem, Darlene was always there,” said Robert Duncan. She was involved in roughly 3,000 aircraft transactions during her tenure and found joy in every jet takeoff. Darlene worked supporting and inspiring others until she passed away from cancer on June 17, 2004.

Harry Barr helped transform Duncan Aviation from an ambitious startup into a growing aviation enterprise through a combination of skill, adaptability, and an unwavering passion for flight.

Born near Clarinda, Iowa, in 1935, Harry immersed himself in aviation from an early age. His enthusiasm quickly evolved into expertise, earning pilot certifications, operating aircraft, and developing the hands-on knowledge that would prove invaluable during Duncan Aviation’s formative years.

Working alongside founder Donald Duncan, Harry became known for his willingness to tackle any challenge. Whether flying aircraft, supporting customers, training pilots, or solving operational problems, he embodied the entrepreneurial spirit that defined the company’s early years.

Among his many contributions, Harry became one of the earliest type-rated pilots on the Lear 23 and helped introduce aviation to a young Robert Duncan by teaching him to fly.

His versatility, technical expertise, and commitment to service helped establish the culture of resourcefulness and customer support that continues to distinguish Duncan Aviation today.

Aaron Hilkemann has been a transformative leader at Duncan Aviation, helping to guide the company through decades of growth, structural development, and cultural strengthening. He joined the company in the mid-1990s as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, bringing prior experience from banking and finance to the aviation services sector.

In 1997, Aaron assumed the role of President, and soon after, that of CEO. During his tenure, he championed the formation of a robust senior leadership team to help infuse strategic decision-making across the organization. Under his stewardship, Duncan Aviation expanded significantly—quadrupling in size—and invested heavily in facility growth, acquisitions, and market diversification, including establishing its full-service presence in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Provo, Utah.

Aaron’s leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, integrity, and placing people at the center of the company’s mission. He is credited with bringing consistency, formal structure, and collaborative processes to leadership, while preserving the family values and culture that define the organization.

In 2020, Aaron transitioned out of day-to-day operations into a new part-time role as Chairman of the Board of Advisors, allowing him to focus on high-level relationships, mentoring, and guiding long-term strategy. He has also been active in the broader aviation community, serving in leadership roles with industry associations.

Aaron’s legacy at Duncan Aviation is one of growth, stability, and nurturing talent—he has left the organization well positioned for continued success.