The Aerospace Executive Podcast

Whether you’re in the Blue Angels, on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier or an elite athlete, being on a high performing team isn’t about you. Your success depends on working together, sacrificing, covering for each other and collaborating.  In order to do this right, everyone on the team has to hold up their end of the bargain. The leader has to be willing to hold up a mirror to their own performance and be the basis of all the values they want the team to have.  The team member has to carry their weight. Collectively, the organizational mission has to precede the personal mission.  The moment you have a group of people with their own agendas is the moment performance and ultimately, results get compromised. How do we uphold the 5 core tenants of high performance teams? How do high performance teams have hard conversations?  In this episode, aviation executive, pilot, speaker, former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels and author of High Trust Leadership, George Dom returns to share how great teams operate, learn from mistakes and work towards their goals.  When you’re a team, your success depends on you working together, sacrificing, covering for each other and collaborating. -George Dom   Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  * 5 questions to ask yourself everyday There are interconnected things every single high performance team needs to have. How do we make them part of our daily routines?  * Every organization needs a post-flight debrief One of the biggest gaps is corporate America is the inability for leaders to give and get candid feedback. Why is it so important for teams not to shy away from holding a mirror up to their own performance?  * High performance team vs. high performance person You either have a team or a group of individuals with their own agendas. What are the core characteristics of a real team?      Guest Bio George is an aviation executive, pilot, speaker and former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels. Today he is the COO of ACI Jet and the author of the new book, “High Trust Leadership: How to Build a High-Performance Team”.  Through inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops, and expert coaching, George shares critical lessons on leadership, team-building, and high performance based on his 26-year Navy career that included aerial combat missions, flight leader of the Blue Angels, and Topgun instructor. Participants learn the skills that transform managers into leaders and groups into cohesive teams -- High-Trust Leadership and Focused Engagement. To learn more go to https://georgedom.com/ [https://georgedom.com/] and connect with George on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-dom-b67b207/].    Buy the book “High Trust Leadership: How to Build a High-Performance Team” here [https://www.amazon.com/High-Trust-Leadership-Building-Performance-Teams-ebook/dp/B0DFVLG7J5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8J2DZP72KWOY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3LWuyddEJijzjoQrrgUb4bWp1B7jk-vqpS4hkiXgDCyWH4MluFuadr0VnS-inW9nCSTmmp0V2U4uuYZgqOLVpeCJxoj_sQsDMJbgdsVOxNWSMkDicHp-3UOJ4lHI6iCI.lDLprchzExry6Kg_JncWO2zLX-OR4JV3clbLbHg8ZgA&dib_tag=se&keywords=george+dom+high+performance&qid=1728417206&sprefix=george+dom%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1].      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!

Airplanes aren’t retiring the way they used to. They are more sophisticated than ever before. They are staying around longer and they are getting larger with each generation.  This creates a challenge and a lot of complexity for MRO but also a massive opportunity.  How do you run an organization with the capacity, talent and sheer size to support all of this growth?  That’s something West Star Aviation has figured out at a really high level. As a 77-year old company, the business has a storied legacy. But what they’ve accomplished recently is impressive and they are only getting started!  The MRO ecosystem has a lot of demand to go around and a huge customer base to serve, and this is great news. What is the secret to their success? Why did the integration with Jet East go so well?  In this episode, I’m joined by the CEO and COO of West Star Aviation, Stephen Maiden and Allen McReynolds. They share their story, how they are solving the talent shortage and why there’s so much business to go around right now.    Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  * An incredible success story West Star Aviation has been around for 77 years. How have they turned a storied legacy into the incredible growth they’ve seen in the last few years?  * The ecosystem has a ton of demand Airplanes aren’t retiring how they used to. How will this shape the next decade of MRO?  * The fastest, smoothest, greatest integration in aviation When Jet East and West Star came together, they became a bigger force in the marketplace. Why did this integration work so well?  * How to find strong technical talent The aviation talent shortage is something we’re all aware of. How do we get young people interested in fixing airplanes?  Guest Bio Stephen Maiden is the CEO of West Star Aviation. Allen McReynolds is the president and COO at West Star Aviation. With over 75 years of industry experience, West Star Aviation stands as a leading independent Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Employing over 3,000 professionals, we offer comprehensive services from our strategically located full-service facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; Chattanooga, TN; Millville, NJ; Perryville, Missouri; and Statesville, NC, as well as satellite locations in Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Chicago, and West Palm Beach. Our extensive capabilities encompass maintenance, paint, interior, and avionics services, supported by the largest Aircraft On Ground (AOG) network in the country, ensuring prompt and reliable mobile repair services nationwide. To learn more, head to https://www.weststaraviation.com/ [https://www.weststaraviation.com/].    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 and the NorthStar Group, 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!

With the recent Boeing and Textron strikes, it seems the business of manufacturing new planes just can’t catch a break.  These labor woes are just another challenge clobbering the production and availability of new aircraft, and we have to brace for a challenging few weeks (or months).  Unfortunately, this could be the tip of the iceberg that can trickle down, but it’s not all bad news for the whole industry. There is a glimmer of hope - the aftermarket.  Since the pandemic, this side of the business has been white hot, and the strikes are set to make it hotter. That means a strong M&A market, deals at good multiples and a perfect opportunity for owners looking to cash out.  Why is manufacturing’s loss the aftermarket’s gain? How can we expect strikes to affect every sector of the industry? How did smaller companies get ahead of it?  In this episode, President of Alderman & Company, Bill Alderman returns for his quarterly M&A update. Today, we discuss the recent strikes and how they will shape the rest of 2024.  Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  * You can’t change the rules of capitalism The cash injection of covid was necessary but we weren’t going to escape scot-free. What’s driving the issues in labor right now? * The beauty of being small and nimble  When inflation puts a squeeze on wages, the big corporations have the hardest time. How were smaller companies able to get ahead of strikes?  * Production problems = the aftermarket’s advantage  The aerospace and defense strikes are going to hit airplane production with another challenge. Why will this make the aftermarket more lucrative?  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!

In the highly competitive and specialized world of business jet interiors, standing out with something truly unique is no small feat. The challenge of innovation is compounded by the complex certification processes involved, making it difficult for most companies in this space to create disruptive designs. Interestingly, some of the most significant innovations often come from outside the aviation interior industry. A prime example is RCO Engineering, a company originally focused on automotive interiors. This small auto interior company was selected to build custom seats for Gulfstream, making the bold leap from mass production to a highly customized, bespoke business model for the aviation industry. But what drove Gulfstream to choose RCO Engineering for such a critical task? How did they successfully navigate the shift from cars to jets? And what are the key differences between the automotive and business aviation industries? In this episode of the Aerospace Executive Podcast, I sit down with Jeff Simek, General Manager of RCO Engineering & RCO Aerospace. We dive into the fascinating story of how aerospace came knocking, their business model, and why being a smaller, nimble company positions them for success in the aerospace sector. There’s a lot involved in business jet interiors. There’s a lot of certification at stake and it’s risky to bring things to market so a lot of companies won’t do it. -Jeff Simek   Key Takeaways From This Episode  * Aerospace Innovation: Learn how RCO Engineering’s unique approach to building jet interiors caught the attention of Gulfstream Aerospace and set them apart in a competitive field. * The Power of a Small Business in Aerospace: Discover how keeping operations small and focused has helped RCO Aerospace achieve agility and innovation, leading to significant impact in the aviation industry. * Pivoting from Automotive to Aerospace: The transition from mass production in the automotive industry to a fully customized, high-end business jet interior model presents unique challenges. Find out how RCO made this shift smoothly and effectively.     Guest Bio Jeff Simek is the General Manager of RCO Engineering & RCO Aerospace. He provides passionate leadership, team building, and strategic planning for cost, quality and delivery performance in the Aerospace and Automotive industries. With over 23 years of experience, his first 14 years were spent in the automotive industry where he held the positions of Program Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Greenfield Site Launch Manager and Plant Manager for large Tier 1 suppliers. Following these positions, he was hired as Business Unit Manager for RCO Engineering’s automotive plastics division. After two years with RCO Engineering, he was promoted to General Manager of Operations for RCO Aerospace, a new start-up, offering passenger seating and interior products for large cabin purpose built jets. Jeff is now in charge of both Aerospace and Automotive operations at RCO with a strategy for the 4th industrial revolution. He also serves as a board member for AIAM where he works to ensure Michigan’s Aerospace industry is aligned to local and global opportunities. To find out more, head to https://www.rcoeng.com/aerospace [https://www.rcoeng.com/aerospace] and connect with Jeff on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsimek/].     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 and the NorthStar Group, 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 pilot shortage might feel like a relatively recent thing, but it has been decades in the making. The foundation had been buckling for a long time and now we’re in full-on free fall, which is being reflected in the salaries and contracts we’re seeing today.  Will this be the new normal going forward? In order to solve this issue, the whole industry has to present a united front to create a solid pipeline of talent. The companies that refuse to pay competitively will suffer accordingly.  In this episode, I’m joined by speaker, author and CEO of The AirComp Calculator, Chris Broyhill. We discuss the roots of the pilot shortage and how it can be rectified.   OEMs have a dog in the compensation fight whether they know it or not. They have to lead by example. -Chris Broyhill   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  * The pilot pipeline crisis Why is the barrier of entry for pilots so much higher than it was in the 1980s? * Why so many companies suffer Pilots are expensive to replace, how do we avoid losing them? * OEMs have a dog in the compensation fight How can the entire industry make a push towards retaining talent?   Guest Bio  Chris Broyhill is a speaker, author and recognized business aviation industry authority on compensation, personnel retention, leadership, and organizational culture. He is the inventor and CEO of The AirComp Calculator. The AirComp Calculator™ is business aviation’s only online compensation analysis system. It can provide precise compensation ranges for 14 business aviation positions in six aircraft classes at over 50 locations throughout the United States in seconds. For more information, head to https://aircompcalculator.com/ [https://aircompcalculator.com/] or send an email to drchrisbroyhill@aircompcalculator.com [drchrisbroyhill@aircompcalculator.com].  Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.    Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.