August 1, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin - Alan Klapmeier's efforts to take over the Cirrus Design SJ-50 Vision jet program officially ended on Friday, but other investors may now be interested in taking a stake in Cirrus and its jet, Cirrus Design CEO Brent Wouters told EAA AirVenture Today today.

"The punch line is, we have had multiple inquiries from parties that, because of (the negotiations with Klapmeier) said 'I want to be part of this company,' and these are companies with the financial wherewithal to do so," Wouters said. "We had unsolicited offers, and early discussions have come out of this, and we're going to explore those."

Wouters, who replaced Klapmeier as CEO in February, described the early discussions with these potential investors as "very promising." But "it's too early to say" when or if discussions might come to fruition, Wouters said.

Klapmeier has served as Cirrus chairman since stepping down as CEO, but that role will also change as a result of a board decision, Wouters said.

"(Alan) was notified he would no longer be chairman of the board as of August," Wouters said.

Outside sources confirmed that the company had received inquiries from other potential investors and that Klapmeier would be stepping down as board chairman.