HEICO Corporation Mourns Passing of Executive Chairman Laurans Mendelson

Rhea-AI Summary

HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI, HEI.A) announced the passing of Executive Chairman Laurans A. Mendelson at age 87. Following the succession plan, his sons Eric A. Mendelson and Victor H. Mendelson, currently Co-Vice Chairmen and Co-CEOs, have been named Co-Chairmen of the Board while retaining their CEO roles.

Under Laurans Mendelson's leadership since 1990, HEICO transformed from a small aviation company with $26 million in revenues to a global aerospace and defense leader with a market capitalization of $39 billion and revenues approaching $4.5 billion. The company now operates 164 facilities across 15 countries and employs 11,000 people worldwide. A $100,000 investment in HEICO during Mendelson's early tenure grew to over $130 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 23%.

Positive

• Smooth leadership transition with pre-approved succession plan in place
• Strong financial performance with market cap growth to $39 billion from minimal levels
• Significant revenue growth to $4.5 billion from $26 million under Mendelson's leadership
• Exceptional shareholder returns with 23% compound annual growth rate
• Global expansion to 164 facilities across 15 countries

Negative

• Potential uncertainty among stakeholders during leadership transition period

Insights

Corporate Leadership Analyst

HEICO's founding chairman passes away; succession plan activated with sons continuing leadership; no operational changes expected.

The passing of Laurans Mendelson marks the end of an era for HEICO Corporation, though the company has clearly prepared for this transition. Under Mr. Mendelson's 35-year leadership, HEICO transformed from a troubled $26 million aviation products company to an aerospace giant with a market capitalization of approximately $39 billion and revenue approaching $4.5 billion.

The seamless transition to his sons Eric and Victor Mendelson as Co-Chairmen (while maintaining their Co-CEO roles) demonstrates the effectiveness of HEICO's succession planning. This carefully orchestrated leadership handover had already begun earlier this year when Mr. Mendelson stepped back to Executive Chairman while his sons assumed the Co-CEO positions.

The company's explicit statement that it "does not anticipate any changes to HEICO's business or operations" signals strong continuity in corporate strategy. This is reinforced by the sons' lengthy tenure - they've been actively involved since 1990 when the family took control, and have been preparing for succession for years, having previously assumed the President roles in 2009.

The extraordinary performance metrics highlighted in the release - notably the 23% compound annual growth rate over 35 years (turning a $100,000 investment into $130 million) - underscore the effectiveness of the leadership approach that will continue under the sons who helped build this track record.

While the emotional impact of losing a visionary founder shouldn't be underestimated, HEICO appears exceptionally well-positioned for leadership continuity with minimal operational disruption.

MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / September 29, 2025 / HEICO Corporation (NYSE:HEI.A)(NYSE:HEI) today reported that Laurans A. Mendelson, the Company's Executive Chairman of the Board, passed away on September 27, 2025 at age 87. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Arlene Mendelson, two sons and daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Following Mr. Mendelson's passing, Eric A. Mendelson and Victor H. Mendelson, the Company's Co-Vice Chairmen and Co-Chief Executive Officers were named Co-Chairmen of the Company's Board of Directors, in accord with HEICO's long-existing succession plans approved by the Company's Board of Directors. They remain the Company's Co-Chief Executive Officers. The Company further stated that it does not anticipate any changes to HEICO's business or operations as a result of Mr. Mendelson's passing.

Mr. Mendelson and his sons took over HEICO's management in 1990 after becoming the company's largest shareholders. HEICO was then a small, troubled aviation products company with $26 million in net revenues and a similar market capitalization.

Under Mr. Mendelson's guidance and leadership, they worked with extraordinarily talented people to build one of the largest and most respected US-based, but global, aerospace and defense companies, designing and manufacturing tens of thousands of aerospace and defense components found on nearly every commercial airliner and business jet currently in use, along with many defense and space platforms used by the United States and its allies. Today, HEICO has a market capitalization of approximately $39 billion and revenue nearing $4.5 billion, generating significant cash flow from operations, while employing around 11,000 people worldwide. $100,000 invested in HEICO shares at the time Mr. Mendelson and his sons took over HEICO's management became worth over $130 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 23%. HEICO has grown to operate in 164 facilities in 15 countries and 29 states in the United States.

Mr. Mendelson served as the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1990 until earlier this year, when he became Executive Chairman and Eric and Victor Mendelson became HEICO's Co-Chief Executive Officers. He also served as the Company's President from 1990 until 2009, when his sons succeeded him in that role.

Originally from New York, NY, Mr. Mendelson received his AB from Columbia College and his MBA from Columbia Business School. During and after business school he was proud to serve in the US Army and US Army Reserves. Following business school and receiving his CPA license, he joined Arthur Andersen in NYC, later leaving to start his own Wall Street business helping to bring small companies to the public markets and a publicly-held pollution control company, which he later successfully sold.

After relocating to Miami, he founded a publicly-held company, which he later sold, that acquired small industrial and real estate businesses. In 1972, he entered the real estate development industry with his late business partner, Jerry A. Gross. Together, the two developed condominiums, apartments, shopping centers and hotels around Florida, eventually becoming the largest condominium converters in the state, as well as major investors in large publicly-held industrial companies where they practiced what later became known as "activist investing." Mr. Gross passed in 1988. Mr. Mendelson remained active in Florida real estate with his family until his passing.

In addition to his impact on the aerospace industry, he left an indelible impact on Miami, where his re-zoning of the Brickell Avenue and Downtown Miami corridor in 1982 resulted in Miami's significant skyline visible today. Mr. Mendelson and Mr. Gross successfully petitioned the Miami City Commission to increase the size of building development by six times, allowing substantial skyscrapers to appear and make Miami a viable international business destination, thus unlocking vast real estate-related government revenue for the area.

A committed philanthropist, he and Arlene supported numerous philanthropic organizations in South Florida and elsewhere. He was a past Chairman of the Board of Directors of Miami Mt. Sinai Medical Center, where he served on the Board for over 30 years. He served as a Trustee of Columbia University in the City of New York, after serving on the Columbia College Board of Visitors for a decade.

Mr. Mendelson was named a Chevalier in France's Legion d'Honneur by France's President, was presented a Living Legend of Aviation Award, the Howard Hughes Memorial Award for advancing aerospace technology, the Greater Miami Aviation Association Wright Brothers Memorial Award, the Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the John Jay Award of Columbia College, and was named to the International Air and Space Hall of Fame, among other awards and recognitions.

Eric and Victor Mendelson jointly commented, "We and HEICO were fortunate to have benefitted from a remarkable leader and businessman who practiced excellence, honesty and quality in everything he did, and felt most proud of the financial security created by HEICO and its Team Members for their families. Though he will be sorely missed, Larry Mendelson above all believed HEICO's success was predicated on our great Team Members, their self-reliance and determination, and ensured our durable and well-developed HEICO organization would thrive for generations to come."

HEICO Corporation is engaged primarily in the design, production, servicing and distribution of products and services to certain niche segments of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunications and electronics industries through its Hollywood, Florida-based Flight Support Group and its Miami, Florida-based Electronic Technologies Group. HEICO's customers include a majority of the world's airlines and overhaul shops, as well as numerous defense and space contractors and military agencies worldwide, in addition to medical, telecommunications and electronics equipment manufacturers. For more information about HEICO, please visit our website at https://www.heico.com.

Contact:
Victor H. Mendelson (305) 374-1745
Eric Mendelson (954) 744-7555

SOURCE: HEICO Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

Who is replacing Laurans Mendelson as Chairman of HEICO (NYSE:HEI)?

Eric A. Mendelson and Victor H. Mendelson, who were serving as Co-Vice Chairmen and Co-CEOs, have been named Co-Chairmen of the Board while maintaining their CEO positions.

What was HEICO's growth under Laurans Mendelson's leadership?

Under Mendelson's leadership since 1990, HEICO grew from a $26 million revenue company to a global aerospace leader with a $39 billion market cap and $4.5 billion in revenue.

How did HEICO stock perform during Laurans Mendelson's tenure?

A $100,000 investment in HEICO when Mendelson took over grew to over $130 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 23%.

Will there be changes to HEICO's business operations following Mendelson's passing?

HEICO stated that it does not anticipate any changes to its business or operations as a result of Mr. Mendelson's passing.

How large is HEICO's current global presence?

HEICO operates 164 facilities across 15 countries and 29 states in the United States, employing approximately 11,000 people worldwide.