The Aerospace Executive Podcast

“You go do your thing—I’ve got this.” The words every CEO wants to hear. It means the job will get done – no excuses!. That’s real ownership—not just doing tasks but taking full responsibility for results, owning the outcome.  But can you teach that mindset? In this episode, we get straight into extreme ownership—what it means, how it shows up in high-performing executives, and why it separates the top 5% from the rest. In today’s talent market, where every hire needs to be strategic, accountable, and fast-moving, ownership is non-negotiable.   We cover: * Why ownership means relieving your boss of mental overhead * How to move from reactive to proactive leadership * What hiring managers really look for in executive candidates * Why tracking activity (yes, still) matters * How true leaders handle career and financial decisions * How to recognize—and reject—blame culture   And yes, we take on the sacred cow of “relationship selling” and why it might be killing your sales team’s performance.   About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.    Check out this episode on our website [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

In the aerospace and defense industry, unpredictability is a constant—but there’s a big difference between manageable risk and outright volatility. With tariff changes, shifting trade policy, and rising political uncertainty, the real threat isn’t just higher costs. It’s the cascading impact these factors have on employment, supply chain stability, and economic confidence across the sector. But while headlines focus on chaos, the real story is unfolding elsewhere. Aerospace market fundamentals are solid. Demand is strong. And strategic investors are making big moves—especially in business aviation.  Behind the scenes, this sector is evolving fast, and the implications for OEMs, MRO providers, and private equity are significant. In this episode of The Aerospace Executive Podcast, sell-side investment banker Bill Alderman joins us for his quarterly deep dive into the state of the industry. We unpack why business aviation remains a top-performing segment, how consolidation in the MRO and aftermarket services space signals deeper transformation, and what smart leaders are doing to stay ahead—by focusing on what they can control rather than chasing headlines.   Key Topics Covered: → Tariff Whiplash and Aerospace Workforce Planning How rapid shifts in international trade policy could lead to unintended layoffs across aerospace and defense sectors. → The Rise of Business Aviation Why record-low inventories, continued demand, and strong order backlogs are fueling growth for business jet OEMs and MRO providers. → Private Equity’s Big Bet on MRO What’s driving the surge in M&A activity as investors snap up smaller aerospace maintenance and repair shops. → Boeing’s Cultural Crossroads Why Boeing’s biggest challenge isn’t global politics—it’s rebuilding internal morale, leadership credibility, and trust with customers.   Anecdotally, things look good in the M&A market, but I am worried that the noise in the system could lead to layoffs, and that’s not good for anybody. -Bill Alderman   Guest Bio William H. Alderman (Bill) is the Founding Partner of Alderman & Company. Bill is an M&A specialist in the middle market of the aerospace and defense industry with over $2 billion in mergers and acquisition-related transactions to his name. Prior to founding Alderman & Company in 2001, Bill worked for 15 years on Wall Street and in the Aerospace & Defense Industry, principally on M&A transactions in the middle market. His employers included BT Securities, Fieldstone, and General Electric. Bill is a Securities Principal registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and has four securities industry licenses (Series 7, 24, 63, and 65). Bill is a commercial pilot and owns and operates a Cirrus SR22. * URL Link: https://www.aldermanco.com/ [https://www.aldermanco.com/] * LinkedIn - William Alderman https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamalderman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamalderman/]   About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.    Check out this episode on our website [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

The helicopter industry is known for sky-high complexity, but one company is proving that innovation doesn’t have to be complicated. For too long, the industry has settled for slow, costly, and overly complex machines, pushed forward by legacy manufacturers who cater to large government contracts and niche elite buyers.  But there’s a shift happening now, one that puts simplicity, reliability, and affordability at the center of innovation. At the forefront of this transformation is Robinson Helicopter, a company best known for its rugged, no-nonsense civilian aircraft.  Under the leadership of CEO David Smith, Robinson is entering a new era, one that’s not only challenging the norms of vertical lift but redefining what modern utility helicopters can look like with the launch of the new R88. David isn’t just an industry veteran, he’s a rare blend of engineering insight, strategic leadership, and real-world pragmatism.  With roots at Bell Helicopter and MIT, and deep experience in clean-sheet design and simulation technology, he’s now steering Robinson into ambitious territory, from launching new aircraft to manufacturing drones and reshaping workforce culture. In this episode, David gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the launch of the R88, his approach to leading a legacy brand into the future, and how Robinson is quietly disrupting both the manned and unmanned aircraft space. You’ll also learn: * Why helicopter designs have remained stagnant for so long * How Robinson plans to compete on simplicity, reliability, and price * What makes the R88 a game-changer for EMS, utility, and tourism missions * Why vertical integration and in-house manufacturing are Robinson’s biggest strengths * How Robinson is entering the drone market (and what makes their design better than quadcopters) * What it takes to build a high-performance, high-loyalty workforce in aerospace today   Guest Bio David Smith is the president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. He leads employees as they develop and produce cost-effective, efficient, and safe helicopters for customers all over the world. David loves helping teams grow and improve performance in engineering and manufacturing companies, especially in the aerospace industry, where he has a proven track record of delivering results and driving innovation. Prior to joining Robinson Helicopter Company in March 2023, David held leadership positions at Bell Flight and TRU Simulation + Training, where he successfully executed cost restructuring measures, improved business performance, and helped to drive the next generation of manufacturing operations. Dave is passionate about supporting non-profits and charitable efforts to help our veterans, develop tomorrow's leaders, and grow the American manufacturing industrial base. Connect with David on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-smith-43728213/].    About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.    For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://craigpicken.com/insights/ [https://craigpicken.com/insights/].  To learn more about Craig Picken, visit https://craigpicken.com/ [https://craigpicken.com/].    Check out this episode on our website [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

The way we travel hasn’t changed much in decades, and it’s not because people don’t want better. It’s because legacy systems have kept the industry locked into outdated models.  But a major shift is underway, and it’s poised to radically redefine the entire experience of booking, flying, and managing travel. At the heart of this transformation is AI-powered personalization and the modernization of airline infrastructure. The goal? To give travelers a seamless, flexible, customizable, retail-like experience, from the moment they think about a trip to the moment they return home.  That means smarter pricing, bundled offers, and digital self-service that actually works—even when your plans don’t. FLYR is one of the companies leading this evolution, helping airlines move from rigid legacy systems to modern platforms that allow for dynamic retailing.  Joining me today is Sam Chamberlain, Chief Product Officer at FLYR and a veteran in the travel technology space. Sam and his team are building the digital engine behind what they call the “limitless future of travel” and today, he’s giving us a look under the hood. We explore what this shift means for travelers and what airlines need to do to stay competitive in a world where customers expect more than just a seat from point A to point B. You’ll also learn: * Why booking travel hasn’t changed in decades * “Offer-and-order” booking and how it will change how we travel * How airlines can capture more customer loyalty and revenue * How to shift legacy travel booking into the modern world    We’re crafting the limitless future of travel. It’s the notion of moving away from the flight being the center of everything, to a more digital retail standard. -Sam Chamberlain   Guest Bio Sam Chamberlain is the Chief Product Officer at FLYR. He is an experienced product leader in travel technology, having worked in and with airlines for the last 20 years, predominantly in the Pricing and Revenue Management space. He helps airlines optimize revenue generation through the entire ecosystem of offer-and-order-based travel retailing and, more recently, in the development of ancillary-powered travel experience products. Sam has launched multiple new commercial revenue optimization products that have helped power the generation of billions of dollars of annual airline revenue globally. He has a broad experience of leading teams that bring value-driving products to market through a market-driven (outside-in) product development philosophy and has held responsibility for multiple aspects of the product life cycle. Visit https://flyr.com/ [https://flyr.com/] for more information, and connect with Sam on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-chamberlain-9b53a9b/].    About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.    For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://craigpicken.com/insights/ [https://craigpicken.com/insights/].  To learn more about Craig Picken, visit https://craigpicken.com/ [https://craigpicken.com/].    Check out this episode on our website [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

After the Eagles’ Super Bowl LVII loss in 2023, Jalen Hurts said, “You either win or you learn.” It was a powerful reflection on turning setbacks into lessons. Fast forward to 2025, Hurts led the Eagles to a dominant Super Bowl win, exemplifying how learning from past defeats can pave the way to future success. But here's the question: Do we need to wait for failure to start learning? Success can be a comfortable place, but it's also where complacency can creep in. The key is to stay proactive in our growth, even when things are going well. What if we could learn while we're winning, so we don't have to learn because we lost? In this special Million Dollar Careers edition of The Aerospace Executive, we delve into strategies for continuous learning during times of success.  We discuss how high achievers can maintain their edge, avoid complacency, and prepare for future challenges by embracing a mindset of constant improvement. Tune in to discover how to keep evolving, even at the top of your game.    You’ll also learn: * Why learning doesn’t have to be punitive  * Why you need to watch the tape even if you won the game * How to self-awareness into self-actualization  Guest Bio Robert is the Founder & President of Houghton Search Group (formerly Management Recruiters of Fairfax, Inc.). Rob inspires trust and guides the Mid-Atlantic insurance community in the acquisition and retention of Top Talent. Rob specializes in the executive placement of Property and Casualty and Employee Benefits professionals across the United States. Connect with Rob on LinkedIn. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwhoughton/]  About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.      Check out this episode on our website [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!