Percussionaire gains new CEO

SAGLE — Aviator and inventor Forrest Bird’s medical respirators are an inspiration to Dr. Adel Bougatef.

That inspiration, first sparked in the early 1980s, brought him thousands of miles from Brussels, Belgium, to the tiny Sagle community. 

With Bird’s announcement of his retirement as president and CEO of Percussionaire Corp., the neonatal doctor officially took his place Wednesday as the leader of the company. As head of the business that manufactures and distributes Bird’s respirators, Bougatef hopes to make the life-saving devices even more accessible to the people that need it.

“I believe in this technology,” he said. “It is a great product, and I’m excited to make it available worldwide to patients.”

Bougatef’s decision to leave his post as the chief of a Brussels neoneonatal unit wasn’t quick or easy.

In fact, the shift in professional gears was several years in the making. Bougatef first became friends with Bird while pursuing his doctoral degree in the mid-2000s. Medical technology was a major theme in his academic research, and as the inventor of a respiration device used worldwide, Bird proved an invaluable source of information.

“He is more than my mentor,” Bougatef said. “During my studies, we became very close friends.”

Bird, in turn, was impressed by Bougatef’s thoroughness, his depth of knowledge, and his widely-respected neonatal unit.

“He’s like the chosen one,” Bird’s wife and business partner Pam Bird said. “Forrest has mentored him for more than 20 years. If he ever adopted anyone, it would be Adel.”

As their friendship grew, Bird decided to groom Bougatef as the successor to Percussionaire. He said the medical doctor brought the perfect fusion of leadership abilities, scientific knowledge and commendable character.

“Simply put, he’s top-notch,” Bird said. “He’s well-spoken, he’s well-written, and he’s just a great person altogether.” 

Bougatef agreed to the proposal but remained in Brussels until Bird decided the time was right for retirement. Never one to slow down under any circumstances — aging included — Bird nevertheless acknowledged that the years have caught up to him.

“You know, I’m 90 years old and I need to respect that,” he said.

While he might be retiring as the head of his company, it’s unlikely that a rocking chair and television reruns are in Bird’s future. He will occupy a position on the board of directors and maintain a presence at Percussionaire. He’ll also continue his numerous side-projects and speaking engagements around the world. In Bird’s case, retirement is more a reallocation of resources than a chance to rest.

Despite Bird’s complete faith in his successor’s abilities, the transition is still difficult. Bougatef’s emotions ran high when he said good bye to his staff in Brussels.

By the same token, there were few dry eyes in the room at a commemorative luncheon Wednesday afternoon when Bird Aviation Museum director Rachel Schwam read a farewell notice to Percussionaire employees from the company founder.

“Pam and I decided it was best for us not to be in Sandpoint on this special day so all will know you are now the commander-in-chief of Percussionaire,” Bird said in his address.

Even so, Bougatef said he’s counting on Bird’s guidance as he steps into his new role. Similarly, he told his new employees that they are equally important to the company’s continued success.

“The (Brussels unit) had so many successes because of the quality care of the nurses,” he said at the luncheon. “The same holds true here. I will need your help to succeed.”