The Aerospace Executive Podcast

Being a leader amongst peers is a challenge. Leading a team with big egos is a bigger challenge.   Accomplished author, documentarian, and fighter pilot, Paco Chierici discusses how businesses can better conduct review processes, manage opposition to change, and how to stand out as a leader to our peers.     If people saw how people with big egos teach each other and review each other, a lot of CE...

Only 5-10% of people are doing an adequate job when it comes to branding their business and just 3-4% are doing a great job. Pretty much everyone else sucks at it. How do we create a successful brand? How is selling to the government different from selling to another corporate entity? Mark Amtower shares how to build a brand effectively to win government contracts.     Learn More About Your Host:...

Starting a business is difficult at best. And, one of the most difficult aspects of scaling up is shaping the team. With growth comes challenges and the need for new and different skillsets.  On this episode, Matt Johnson and I discuss how the relationship with the team will change.   Networking is crucial. How do you know you’ve got a great team if you’ve never seen how other teams operate? -Crai...

Are you looking over your shoulder?  Maybe you should be. Tiger Woods and Texas Tech basketball are recent proof that the competition is better than you think and should never be discounted. What are the threats to your business or career that you’re not seeing or taking seriously? Matt Johnson and I discuss what you should be doing to stay on top.     Takeaways + Tactics Even when you’re at the t...

Emotional intelligence is crucial in all walks of life – including the military and industry. What does it mean to live out your core values? On this episode, I talk with Air Force maintenance leader and fellow podcaster, Sean Douglas, to hear why he believes empathy is a critical element in business and society.     The best way to manage poor performers is to educate them.  Train them so they wo...

  The Boeing 737 Max crisis has caused considerable anxiety throughout the world. Should customers really be hesitant to board an airplane? Matt Johnson and I discuss why we should avoid jumping to conclusions in the wake of the crisis.   Resources For more aerospace industry news & commentary: http://northstaresg.com/   To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://norths...

John Alvarez is a member of the Air Commando Hall of Fame and the first aviator in US history to be restored to full combat flying status after losing his leg during combat.  I first met him when we were young Ensigns in the Navy, he was in Primary Flight Training and I was on my way to starting flight school.   His story is fascinating and involves a host of different players to include Ross Pero...

On this episode, I talk with Tony Bailey, a 30-year MRO veteran, who is involved in the creation of the MRO Center of Excellence in Ohio. With a massive divide between technology and current skills occurring, the MRO Center of Excellence aims to bridge the gap and ensure the people, processes, and skills are growing as fast as new technologies. The MRO Center of Excellence is a public-private part...

Our industry is at a crossroads. The older generation of pilots is about to retire, and the younger generation is either restricted from the cockpit or they don’t view piloting as a career path. So…  we now have a pending shortage of people and the ramifications will be huge! Unfortunately, time, the unions and the government are not on our side…  In this episode, I talk with Matt Johnson about ho...

Aviation has experienced massive change in recent years. How can companies embrace the changes and benefit from them?     Every time you have a monumental change, it helps you become thankful for the culture you have in your company. –Bob Sullivan   Bob Sullivan, Chief Administrative Officer of OneSky Aviation talks about pilots, travel patterns, a flourishing industry and the importance of hiring...

The benefits of business aviation are immeasurable. But the perception of the corporate jet?... not so much. The perception that it’s an industry that only benefits the top 1% exists because it’s an industry that keeps shooting itself in the foot.   Just as Americans supported anti-business policies in the 1930s, after the extravagance of the Roaring 20s, people are still reeling from our most rec...

  The aerospace and aviation industries are changing as result of consolidation. Driven by need and the demands of large OEM’s, Rockwell Collins, UTC, B/E Aerospace, Esterline, Embraer and Bombardier and others have taken some dramatic steps to ensure shareholder value. Where does this leave the little guy? Is he sunk, or is there room for entrepreneurial spirit? How does he compete if he’s, defac...

With so many shifts happening in the aviation industry, the big question is whether regulators and stakeholders are keeping up with the changes. What are some of the biggest challenges when it comes to pilots, mechanics, and airports? What are the demands that regulators have to meet? How can consumers protect themselves in an age of charter by-the-seat aviation? On this episode, aviation attorney...

The future of business aviation is changing as companies recognize the benefits of using corporate shuttles and private jets. What will be the impact of smaller companies in the aerospace industry? Why do many companies use private jets as part of their branding tactics? And why will technology never replace face-to-face business meetings? In this episode, Scott Ashton shares on the future of busi...

David Marquet show how Intent Based leadership turns compliant followers into engaged leaders— fueling performance and driving results.   Leadership isn’t about telling people what not to do. It’s about creating an environment where they can be great just the way they are. -David Marquet   Takeaways + Tactics People who feel valued drive results.  Make them a part of something big. A single leader...

  Good leaders teach others how to become leaders themselves. As we grow our team, why is it important to stop giving answers and start helping others find solutions on their own? How can we attract experts to our company? Why should we strive to become better communicators? In this episode, Krister Ungerboeck talks about the most common leadership mistakes and what we can do to lead others to suc...

  Hank Coates, President of the Commemorative Air Force, talks about how his organization inspires people to fight for their dreams. Being a pilot or aerospace engineer was once considered a highly respected career path, but times have changed. How can we inspire the next generation to pursue career paths that are both in demand and high-paying?     A lot of young people these days don’t realize t...

Laura Gallaher is helping CEOs build their leadership styles and company cultures.     Self-improvement and self-acceptance are not on opposite ends of a continuum. They coexist. -Laura Gallaher   Takeaways + Tactics Like it or not, every business has a culture, and it’s set by the CEO. The development of amazing cultures is done with INTENTION and shaped by behaviors that are reinforced. To becom...

Many business owners get stuck in the details and miss the bigger picture. Alex Vorobieff, author of  Transform Your Company , helps companies fix the root causes of business failures.     Hiring based on behavior is far more important than hiring on trainable skills. -Alex Vorobieff Takeaways + Tactics Business transformation starts at the top.  Leadership must accept responsibility and affect ch...

A+ players know their worth.  Putting them through B processes will turn them off. Understand the difference between an A+ and B players:  what turns off the A+ player during the hiring process, and why low level administrators should not manage the hiring process. Matt Johnson and I speak about how companies should treat A+ talent.     Takeaways + Tactics A+ player knows their numbers and achieve...

Strong leaders build strong teams. Dr. Axel Meierhoefer shares why companies need great leaders, and how to spot one.     If you can go to work every day and do something you believe in that’s meaningful and has a purpose, then the money is basically out of the picture. -Axel Meierhoefer Takeaways + Tactics Companies focus too much on teaching management skills to their executives, at the expense...

Bob Sullivan is the Chief Admin Officer for OneSky Aviation, the parent of Flexjet, Flight Options, Sentient Jet and SkyJet. OneSky Aviation is great at adapting to market shifts and new customer demands. Bob Sullivan gives us a peek inside one of the most successful private jet companies in the world.     Business is going to have ups and down, but if you surround yourself with the right people a...

  What are the traits of A+ Players, and how do we get them? Matt Johnson and Craig Picken share insight on finding A+ talent.   Nothing drives businesses more crazy than people who are afraid of making decisions. -Craig Picken   Takeaways + Tactics The two most important business assets are intellectual capacity and ability to adjust to rapidly changing markets Hiring Managers MUST be immersed in...

Are Millennials really the entitled generation who want to start at the top? Or, are they just more flexible and willing to take risks? James Durham, my friend and podcast Producer, shares his insight on millennial values and the challenges companies face in attracting next generation talent.     For my generation of job applicants, the benefits they desire are not homogenous. The long-term upside...

Attracting the right people in your company is vital for success. But what happens when you can’t offer as much financial incentive as the big players? What else can you offer to your future pilots? Is investing in their education worth it? In this episode, Dave Scheu talks about how to find talented pilots and lower turnover rates.   The technology is moving fast. It’s almost a shame that I waste...