The Aerospace Executive Podcast

As the aerospace and defense industry continues to face supply resiliency issues coupled with talent shortages, India has emerged as a solution.  Many marquee OEMs have been able to harness the full capabilities that can be found in India and gain all the benefits of manufacturing there.  Jeh Aerospace is helping US companies unlock the talent pool, manufacturing and state of the art technology that has flourished in India, and they are just getting started.  A rising tide lifts all ships, so the goal isn’t just to solve the issues of one market, it’s to ultimately serve the global supply chain and solve the shortages and delays that way.  What global trends have made aerospace and defense giants look to India? How is Jeh Aerospace working to transform the industry on a global scale?  In this episode, co-founder and CEO of Jeh Aerospace, Vishal Sanghavi shares the organization’s story, how they established an incredible footprint in India, and how they are solving the supply chain issues that have plagued this industry for years.    Many times people make perceptions on one experience they had with India. India is very large and diverse. It’s important to partner with the right people if you want the best of India. -Craig Picken     Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  Unlocking the potential of India A lot of marquee OEMs have turned to India. Who are some of Jeh Aerospace’s clients?  Talent pool meets technology  It’s no secret that labor shortages in the US have become more pronounced. How is India stepping in to solve the problem? What else can the nation do for aerospace and defense?  Jeh Aerospace’s ultimate play Solving the supply resiliency issue isn’t just about serving one market. How does Jeh Aerospace plan to lift the entire field? Guest Bio Vishal R. Sanghavi is the co-founder & CEO of Jeh Aerospace. He has been a leader in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry for nearly two decades. He co-founded Jeh Aerospace in 2022 with his long-time colleague Venkatesh Mudragalla. This US-based company manufactures aerospace and defense components to address the industry's global supply chain constraints. Vishal is on a mission  to transform aerospace manufacturing by harnessing the power of advanced technologies like robotic automation, AI, and AR/VR and leveraging the vast talent pool of countries like India through friend-shoring. He is building Jeh Aerospace into a new-age technology-driven manufacturing company that will deliver stringent-quality flying parts 10x faster, better, and cheaper. Vishal’s entrepreneurial journey began at the renowned Tata Group, where he built and led large multimillion-dollar businesses and became one of the youngest CXOs for the group. He spearheaded numerous aerospace businesses during his tenure, including the Tata Boeing Joint Venture (JV), Tata Sikorsky JV, and Tata Lockheed JV, which manufactures large and complex aerospace systems. To learn more, visit https://jeh.aero/.  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, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, 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! 

Many people think military leadership is as simple as giving orders and people just blindly following them. They couldn’t be more mistaken.  While people will do what they’re told, this “sir, yes, sir” style of leadership doesn’t lead to high performance. It leads to a workforce that begrudgingly follows orders and passive aggressively does the bare minimum.  Getting people to take pride in their work and do it joyfully is a completely different ball game. It starts with a leadership style that’s more heart-centered, shifting from being transactional to being relational. A caring leader enhances the performance of a team, and it’s often as simple as learning the names of everyone in the organization.  How can leaders show people that they care? Why do commuting CEOs kill morale? What are the 3 facets of leading from the heart?  In this episode, retired Two-Star Admiral, my former colleague and aerospace and defense leader, Mike Manazir returns. He talks about his new book, “Learn How to Lead to Lead From the Heart” and why heart-led organizations outperform other companies.  Don’t ever assume you know what the workforce is feeling or worried about until they tell you. -Mike Manazir     Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  What actually drives military performance (it’s not giving orders) Some people think leading is as easy as giving an order and people will follow it. Why is there a lot more to it? The most powerful thing a leader can do In any organization, recognition fuels performance. How can something as simple as a leader knowing everyone’s names fire them up?  What dysfunctional workplaces have in common It’s not hard to identify a workplace that’s not being led well. What are the telltale signs of poor leadership?  Transactional leadership vs. leading from the heart In this era of remote work and private equity, we’re starting to see CEOs who are okay with commuting. Why does this communicate a negative message to the workforce?      Guest Bio Mike Manazir is a graduate of Top Gun and commanded an F-14 squadron, the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, and a Carrier Strike Group. Mike retired as a Two-Star Admiral and is now an executive with a Fortune 100 aerospace and defense company. He is the author of the new book, “Learn How to Lead to Lead From the Heart”. Mike mentors a leadership style based on heart and trust that champions inclusion. Mike believes if you have one or more people looking to you to show the way, you are a leader. He wants to help you be the best leader you can be so you can Lead to Win. For more information about Mike’s book head to https://mikemanazir.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.    Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, 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! 

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/ and connect with George on LinkedIn.    Buy the book “High Trust Leadership: How to Build a High-Performance Team” here.      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, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, 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/.    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/. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit https://craigpicken.com/.    Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, 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/ LinkedIn - William Alderman 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, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, 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 and connect with Jeff on LinkedIn.     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/. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit https://craigpicken.com/.    Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, 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/ or send an email to 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.

In the world of business branding, there are 2 kinds of organizations. The ones that talk about what they do, and the ones that focus on what makes them unique.  You can guess which one grows faster and has more loyal customers. Branding is non-negotiable - it’s the only way to stand out in a crowded marketplace.  In this industry, many companies don’t do enough to brand themselves differently, or the brands they do have are stuck in the past. As a result, there are hundreds of companies people can’t really tell apart.  That’s why it’s critical to take diligent steps to be memorable and recognizable.  How do you know it’s time to rebrand? What are the pillars of a good brand? How can legacy brands harness all their digital power?  In this episode, I’m joined by CEO and Founder of Moxie Global Consulting, Melissa Thomas. We talk about my recent rebrand, and inventive ways to make your brand come across differently.    There’s a big difference between branding that tells you what a company does and branding that tells you why they do it or how they solve a problem. -Melissa Thomas   Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    -Put both your feet in the digital world  The world may have moved to the digital space but a lot of companies still haven’t caught up. Why is a website so necessary?    -The biggest branding oversights in aviation  The aviation industry is prone to mergers and product changes. We also have a lot of legacy companies that haven’t fully embraced today’s branding standards. How do you make sure your brand reflects the current state of your business?    -The right time to rebrand In a rapidly evolving world, a brand can get stale really fast. How do you know it’s time for a refresh or a total overhaul?  Guest Bio Melissa Lucas Thomas is the CEO and Founder of Moxie Global Consulting, LLC. She is a visionary business leader with expertise in the private aviation, luxury hospitality, and retail industries. Over the past two decades, she has worked as an innovator and turnaround expert with emphasis on developing inspiring leaders, managing service culture transformations, creating new revenue streams, and delivering operational excellence. Melissa’s innovative process and technology ideas have been a significant driver behind industry best financial results. To learn more, visit https://moxieglobalconsulting.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/. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit https://craigpicken.com/.     Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, 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! 

Commercial Airlines in the United States have achieved an amazing accomplishment– 10 years without a major mishap. This is an enviable safety record that is a direct result of professionalism and industry improvements made through the years. Resting on our laurels, however, is not an option. How do we maintain this stellar record despite massive industry changes? In this episode, I’m joined by former VP of Flight Ops for Southwest Airlines, Bob Waltz shares what’s behind the improvement of safety and how to keep it that way going forward.    How we’re training pilots is better than it was even a couple of years ago. -Bob Waltz   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to set pilots up for safety: With rampant pilot hiring what training gaps needed to be closed?   Solving the pilot shortfall: Would it be wise to reduce the 1500 hour rule?    Why the human-machine interface is still needed: As aircraft become more complicated, how do we make sure pilots are familiar with the basics?   Guest Bio Bob is the former VP of Flight Ops for Southwest Airlines. At the core of his experience is leadership in the operational and training arenas of aviation, both in the military and the civilian sectors--but his interests are wider than commercial aviation alone. He enjoys helping others see the value of Safety Management Systems and continuous improvement and bringing these concepts to life in their enterprise. Bob’s skill set translates well across other industries and areas of focus, from unmanned systems to space to formal education and educational administration to venture capital start-ups. His background was forged while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, leading crews flying combat/combat support sorties in the Middle East and the Balkans, serving at the national level as the head of a recruiting team delivering educational opportunities to the widest audience, and guiding a multi-billion dollar OPEX and multi-million dollar CAPEX team of 10,500 folks through the pandemic while completing his Ph.D. in Aerospace Science / Safety Management Systems.  For more information, head to https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-waltz-1829a51b/.  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.    For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.    Check out this episode on our Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and don't forget to download the Apple Podcasts app and leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Leading an aircraft carrier with a 5,000 person crew is like running an entire city. The flight deck is dangerous, the number of moving parts is countless, the stakes are high. and the magnitude of responsibility is unparalleled.  How do you deal with all this and still manage to be an approachable leader with the respect and loyalty of your crew? Why is delegation THE key to success?  In this episode, I’m joined by retired Navy captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Brett Crozier. He talks about his incredible career, his philosophy on leadership and what any leader can learn from running an aircraft carrier.   Never overreact. The truth is always in the third report. -Brett Crozier   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  - The curse of the founder: Delegation is key to leadership efficiency, but why do so many leaders struggle to offload certain responsibilities?  - How to be an approachable leader: The temperament of a leader has a huge effect on the culture, how do we keep our emotions in check?  - The right way to process information: We live in a world of unfiltered information and rushes to judgment. How do we manage this as leaders?   For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.   Guest Bio  Brett Elliott Crozier is a retired US Navy captain and the author of “Surf When You Can: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain”. He embarked on a thirty-year career in the Navy, flying dozens of combat missions over Iraq and leading at the highest levels of operational command. He served as the commanding officer of a combat F/A-18 strike fighter squadron, the world’s largest and most advanced communications ship, and ultimately the USS Theodore Roosevelt before retiring from the Navy in 2022.   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.   Check out this episode on our Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to download the Apple Podcasts app and leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

If all you’re known for is what you do, you’ve basically rendered yourself uncompetitive. -Ken Schmidt   For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.    In a competitive marketplace, nothing kills you faster than trying to brand yourself on your product or service. That’s a lesson Harley-Davidson learned the hard way.  At one point, the company was being outpaced by Yamaha, Kawasaki and BMW…until they decided to position themselves differently. They went from a product-focused business to a thriving lifestyle brand, and that turned into one of the biggest turnaround stories in American history.  If you focus on what you sell, you’ll render yourself uncompetitive. If you focus on what people believe and say about you, you’ll create a unique brand no one can copy.  That’s how a historic company became an iconic brand.  How can we apply Harley-Davidson’s strategy to our own personal and corporate brands? How do we focus on memorability instead of marketability?  In this episode, I’m joined by speaker, consultant, former director of communications for Harley-Davidson and author of “Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance”, Ken Schmidt. We talk about the secret to strong branding, whatever industry you’re in.  Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  The lesson Harley Davidson learned the hard way In business, competing on what we do is the death knell of market domination. How do we shift to something that sets us apart?    A game of memorability Building a brand is easier said than done, what are 3 major steps we need to take to build a strong personal or corporate brand?    Stand out by delighting your customers So many businesses are commoditized these days and they miss huge opportunities to stand out and gain loyalty. How do we get customers to come back for more?    Guest Bio Ken Schmidt is a premium-fueled speaker, podcast host, author and consultant serving the world's highest- revving businesses (and those stuck in neutral). As the former director of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, he played an active role in one of the most celebrated turnarounds in corporate history – and got paid to ride motorcycles. He is widely known and respected as one of the business world’s most outspoken, provocative, and entertaining thought leaders on competition, brand management, positioning, reputation management, human behavior, and loyalty, and has delivered more than one thousand keynote speeches to business and education groups around the globe. Ken’s book “Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance” teaches how to improve business and personal competitiveness and is shared from his, as always, extraordinarily unexpected point of view. To learn more, head to https://kenspeaks.com/ and buy the book here.    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 OEMs, 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.    Check out this episode on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to download the Apple Podcasts app and leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Trust is really the water that all relationships swim in. When the trust is high, the water is clear and it’s a wonderful experience. When trust isn’t there, the water’s dark and there’s misery and drudgery. -George Dom   For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.    In the high-flying, high stakes world of The Blue Angels - trust is as vital as the air we breathe. In such an extreme workplace, trust can’t be selective or conditional. People have to fully and enthusiastically put their lives in the hands of their leaders and each other, and that requires high, unwavering trust at all times.  You might not be leading in such an extreme, life or death workplace, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from them. If we can apply lessons from these environments to our own civilian workplaces, we can push the capabilities of our teams.  From communication to competence, how can military leadership lessons make us better? How do you build a culture of high trust? In this episode, I’m joined by former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels and author of “High Trust Leadership”, George Dom. We talk about how to lead like a Blue Angels commanding officer.  Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode  Get education from extreme workplaces Some of the best leadership lessons come out of the most extreme environments. What do high-stress, life or death situations teach us about running great organizations?   The 5 questions everyone asks of their leaders Whether you’re in a high-stress, high-danger environment or an office, what do leaders need to be focused on?    Transmit your message consistently In military and aviation environments, people don’t just assume a message was heard. They have protocols to make sure a message was received. How can we implement this in our organizations?   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 upcoming 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/ and connect with George on LinkedIn.  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 OEMs, 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.    Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to download the Apple Podcasts app and leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you! 

Everyone wants to have A-players in their teams, but when it comes to recruiting those rockstars, many of us don’t even know where to start.  Does recruitment look any different when we’re looking to onboard the best of the best? How do top-tier achievers want to be approached, and what could entice them to work with our organizations, over everyone else? On the flipside, how can recruits present themselves as the kind of talent companies are willing to go the extra mile to bring into their worlds?  In this episode, executive recruiter and President of MR Fairfax, Robert Houghton and I discuss how to spot (or become!) top talent.    "The ideal recruit is looking towards a goal, not running away from something." -Craig Picken   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    5 things that separate A-players from everyone else Is there an easy way to spot the ideal hire, from a distance?    The non-negotiables A-players are looking for Why would a rockstar be willing to up and move to another organization? How can we make joining our teams worth their while?    How to tell if a rockstar recruit is really interested Are would-be recruits really interested in joining our teams, or could they be easily persuaded to stay where they are now?   Guest Bio-   Robert Houghton is an executive recruiter and the President of MR Fairfax, the #1 recruiter in the Mid-Atlantic region specializing in insurance and financial services. A well-established former CEO of several successful business enterprises, Robert has a unique understanding of executive recruiting in the commercial insurance sector with specialties in employee benefits, property & casualty insurance and risk management.    To find out more, go to https://mrfairfax.com/ You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com 

In order to build a successful, scalable business that sets us free, we have to first build a really great team.   Our teams and the way they operate dictate the success of our organizations, and most of us know that. However, when it comes to building those teams, most of us just don’t know what we don’t know.   So, how can we build the kinds of teams that allow us to create the businesses of our dreams?   In this episode, author, speaker and serial entrepreneur, Carl Gould reveals the 7 stages of growing a great business, and the 2 stages guaranteed to help you assemble an unstoppable team.   "The people who got here are not necessarily the people who’ll get you there, and that’s okay." -Craig Picken   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    -One thing we tend to forget when building teams Could promoting our best players actually do more harm than good to our organizations? -The key to attracting top talent Are we missing out on a crucial factor when trying to recruit the best players in the game? -Why turnover isn’t always a bad thing No one likes the thought of losing employees, but could high turnover actually be the best thing for our businesses?      Guest Bio-   Carl Gould is a best-selling author, sought after speaker and the serial entrepreneur behind three multi-million-dollar businesses The founder of 7 Stages Advisors, over the past two decades, Carl has worked with more than 7000 Business Coaches and mentored the launch of over 5000 businesses. Thanks to his expertise, Carl has been featured by a number of top-tier publications including, among others, Wall Street Journal and Forbes. Carl’s forthcoming book, The Obnoxious Offer will hit shelves in Fall 2022.    To find out more, go to: https://carlgould.com/  https://carl360.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.

Disruptions, crises, and unexpected challenges are inevitable in business. While we may not be able to prevent a crisis, we can control whether it escalates into a full-blown disaster.   The difference between a "disruption" and a "disaster" is more than just semantics. A disruption is a minor hiccup, but without strategic anticipation and planning, it can become catastrophic. The problem with many organizations is that they invest in impressive disaster management plans but fail to implement them effectively.   By making a few key mindset shifts, we can reverse a disaster and even turn it into a strategic advantage.   Why should we view disasters differently? How can we use them to improve our operations?   In this episode, I’m joined by Patrick Hardy, a speaker, trainer, author, and disaster reversal expert. We discuss how to plan for disasters and run a resilient business, regardless of economic conditions.   An earthquake is just the ground shaking. A hurricane is just a severe windstorm. A tsunami is ultimately a big wave of water. It doesn’t become a disaster unless you let it become one. -Patrick Hardy    Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    -Ready, react, respond, recover and reverse Disruptions are inevitable. Is part of changing the culture of disaster management convincing people to anticipate it?    -Reactivity vs. resilience How do we run organizations that can bounce back and improve after a crisis instead of organizations that crumble easily?   -The danger of a single point of failure A disaster isn’t actually about what’s happening or the size of the disruption. It’s a matter of dependency. What makes organizations more disaster prone?  

Disruptions, crises, and unexpected challenges are inevitable in business. While we may not be able to prevent a crisis, we can control whether it escalates into a full-blown disaster.   The difference between a "disruption" and a "disaster" is more than just semantics. A disruption is a minor hiccup, but without strategic anticipation and planning, it can become catastrophic. The problem with many organizations is that they invest in impressive disaster management plans but fail to implement them effectively.   By making a few key mindset shifts, we can reverse a disaster and even turn it into a strategic advantage.   Why should we view disasters differently? How can we use them to improve our operations?   In this episode, I’m joined by Patrick Hardy, a speaker, trainer, author, and disaster reversal expert. We discuss how to plan for disasters and run a resilient business, regardless of economic conditions.   Success is just a function of treating our customers well, keeping our expenses tight and edging into things that make sense. -Mike Winston    Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    - A fascinating origin story How did a finance guy find his way into the world of charter aviation?   - How AI can impact aviation You always need to have a human element for charter booking because it involves safety and a lot of money. Is there a way AI can be brought in to optimize the human aspect?   - The truth about charter operations One of the biggest challenges in the charter business is that a client’s aircraft preference never changes. How do operators know what to buy?   Guest Bio   Mike Winston, CFA is the Executive Chairman of Jet.AI Inc. He began his career in 1999 with Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and later worked as a portfolio manager at Millennium Partners LP where for five years he and a colleague managed a $1 billion merger arbitrage and event driven capital allocation. In 2012, he formed the Sutton View Group of companies, an alternative asset management platform where he advised one of the largest academic endowments in the world. He co-led a successful activist litigation against the board of Dole Foods in its management led buyout and obtained a 35% increase in total consideration on behalf of all stockholders. Institutional Investor Magazine has recognized Mr. Winston for professional excellence; he has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and has appeared on CNBC. Mr. Winston received an MBA in Finance and Real Estate from Columbia Business School in 2005, and a BA in Economics from Cornell University in 1999. While at Cornell he studied for a year at the London School of Economics and at age 18 won a $1 million prize from IBM for his first startup company. Mr. Winston is a CFA Charterholder, and a member of the Economic Club of New York.   Connect with Mike on LinkedIn and send an email to mike@jet.ai.      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 OEMs, 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.

We don’t like to talk about it often, but when it comes to safety, business aviation doesn't have the perfect record. Anytime an accident happens, it affects the entire industry. A rising tide of safety keeps more planes in the air and makes the whole industry better.   Raising the bar of safety can feel like a nebulous concept, but it’s a necessary conversation. While it’s hard to pinpoint the areas that need to be addressed, we can start by building the right enforcement mechanisms and environments to correct problems.   How do we raise the safety standard without creating a finger-pointing or witch-hunting environment? What is the Air Charter Safety Foundation doing to bring safety to the entire niche?   In this episode, I’m joined by Sky Strategy columnist, co-chair of the Board of Governors at the Air Charter Safety Foundation and CEO of FlyVizor, Jessie Naor. She talks about how she built GrandView Aviation, and how to make business aviation safer.   We don’t like to talk about it often, but we don’t have a perfect record. If anyone has an accident, it affects all of us. -Jessie Naor   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    -Cutting down on acts of stupidity Illegal charters are one of the biggest causes of business aviation accidents. How do we create the right enforcement mechanisms and environments to correct the issues?   -Growth makes things easier How did GrandView Aviation go from a small company to 20 aircraft and 100 pilots? How did management approach growth and ultimately selling the business?   -Progress not punishment We continue to have accidents in business aviation, and it should be a concern to all of us. How do we create a reporting culture that doesn’t feel like finger-pointing?   Guest Bio   Jessie Naor is the author of the Sky Strategy column in Aviation Week's BCA, Co-Chair of the Board of Governors at the Air Charter Safety Foundation and CEO of FlyVizor, an aviation M&A advisory and business consulting firm. She is a former founder and president of GrandView Aviation. Jessie has years of C-level experience in sales, marketing, HR, finance, data technologies and flight operations management. She is heavily engaged in industry advocacy, having served on multiple FAA Rulemaking committees and trade board groups. She was awarded a Top 40 Under 40 by the National Business Aviation Association and has spoken at events such as Women in Aviation, Corporate Jet Investor, amongst others. Connect with Jessie on LinkedIn.      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 OEMs, 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.

Operating airplanes is a TOUGH business! Complicated machines, delicate financing structures, ever changing asset values, and other complexities that can tank even the best run operations. This is why it’s impossible to democratize business aviation.   Because owning a business jet company is sexy, it is easy to become overly emotional and focus on what makes you look good. But, it is a numbers business and operators who don’t stay disciplined will often find themselves in a lot of trouble. The secret according to AirX’s founder, John Matthews? Take let data drive your decisions.   How do you set a charter business up for success?   What are some of the mistakes jet operators are making? In this episode, John talks about the journey the company has taken, from their fascinating beginnings, to picking routes and building a very unique fleet and what it takes to survive and thrive in a tough business.   I became extremely analytical when I started to lose money, and that’s how we started making money. -John Matthews       Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    -Why AirX stopped flying to America The routes you fly are critical to your success in the charter business. What are the differences between the American and European marketplaces?    -The only way to survive and thrive The asset market is going to soften and we’ve seen a sharp rise in the charter jet global inventory. What approach does AirX take to expanding their fleet? What are some of the creative aircraft they’ve assembled?   -Data-driven decisions only In an industry like charters, it’s really easy to make decisions based on emotion. Why is it critical to be analytical instead?     Guest Bio   John Matthews is the Chairman of AirX. Beginning at the age of 17, John Matthews managed the operations of a 20-plane flying school. At the age of 18, He started a twin piston engine aircraft charter business for the executive charter market. John also earned a contract with Caledonian Airways to manage 13 Tri-Stars and two DC10s around the world, providing all technical ground support and flying critical spare parts to Caledonian in AOG circumstances. By the age of 19, John had advanced his career by starting his own operation with 10-seater twin engine aircraft. Healix, the UK's largest repatriation company, also hired him to fly medical relief flights. AirX was founded because a family-run business purchased the wrong assets during the boom. John took over operations, and within months of his leadership, the company was brought back from the brink of bankruptcy, building a new tier in Malta as the company's new HQ, which began in 2010 since then the annual turnover increased from €8 million to €150 million, with zero EBITDA to €25 million and cash generation of roughly €8 million in 2023, a record year. AirX has grown its clientele to include over 250 notable international celebrities, the majority of whom are return customers, including royal families, politicians, government flights, music tours, sports teams, and mission flights. For more information, go to https://www.airx.aero/.  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 OEMs, 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.

Repositioning a 60-year-old distribution company - during COVID no less - is a Herculean effort. Considering that VSE Corporation’s market cap has gone from $300 million to $1.2 billion since 2019, the mission has been successful.   For the CEO tasked with this turnaround, there’s one key ingredient to this success - present leadership. In this post-COVID era of remote work, it’s easy for companies to take an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach, but VSE does the opposite. Prioritizing the right things, identifying the underutilized gems, and putting effort into the foundation pays off.   How do you turn a 60-year-old company into a market leader? How is VSE Corporation approaching M&A? In this episode, CEO John Cuomo talks about his journey since taking over the company, why his mindset is one of  “writing a new volume of a book”, what sets them apart, and the secret to their success. By the way…  he’s also one of the most sought-after CEO’s in the industry!   The presence of a leader is important, even if it’s limited. I think it sends a big message, you connect in different ways and you get something different out of the business’ story. -John Cuomo   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    -1+1 is greater than 2 When conducting M&A many companies are mainly focused on buying a great asset. Why does the VSE Corporation start with strategy and culture?    -The whole power of presence It’s easy to have a disconnect between the company’s leadership strategy and the people working the floor. How does VSE make sure the whole company is moving together in the right direction?    -The easiest journeys don’t give you the best reward Transforming a company is no easy feat. Why does John Cuomo liken it to tearing a house down to the studs, rebuilding it, and ending up with the best home on the block?   Guest Bio   John Cuomo is the President and CEO of VSE Corporation. Appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2019,  he brings 21 years of experience in distribution and the aftermarket services industry. John previously served as Vice President and General Manager of Boeing Distribution Services Inc. Prior to Boeing's 2018 acquisition of the Aerospace Solutions Group of KLX Inc., John served as its President and General Manager (since 2014). From 2000 to 2014, John served in multiple roles and functions at B/E Aerospace (parent company of KLX, Inc. until 2014), including Vice President & General Manager and Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Marketing & Business Development. Prior to joining B/E Aerospace, John served as an attorney at a large multinational law firm practicing commercial law, mergers and acquisitions and litigation. Connect with John on LinkedIn.  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 OEMs, 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.

What happens when the aviation industry faces the gargantuan task of catching up to a constrained supply chain? The opportunity shifts. Everyone has accepted the reality that manufacturing is highly limited and that planes have to fly longer, so the aftermarket is white hot.   If you own IP and you’re driving the aftermarket, you’ll be fine for a while, but is this opportunity being felt across the industry or just limited to this corner?   The truth is there are different things occurring in different sectors. Many sectors are leaving la la land and heading back to normalcy which makes for some interesting developments. Other sectors are in dire need of innovation. What are the biggest areas of concern and opportunity? In this episode, Founder and President of Alderman & Company, Bill Alderman returns for a quarterly aviation check-in. We talk about the commercial supply chain, the aftermarket, defense and business jets.   There is a lack of capacity throughout our entire industry of aerospace and the after market is white hot. -Craig Picken   Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    -Never bet against American innovation Russia’s tech is stale, but the real concern is China. What should this country be doing to shore up our defense industrial base and what’s at stake if we don’t?    -Biz jets…we’re leaving la-la land All things related to business jet aviation did really well in the pandemic. Why is the sector continuing to cool off now?   -The white hot aftermarket There is light at the end of the supply chain tunnel, but it’s a long, long tunnel. How is this going to affect the aftermarket?    Guest Bio   William ‘Bill’ Alderman is the Founder and President of Alderman & Company which are aerospace and defense M&A bankers. Bill has always had a passion for aviation and is both a commercial pilot and aircraft owner. Today, he uses his expertise, coupled with his interests to represent Middle Market Sellers in the Aerospace and Defense industry.    To find out more, go to: https://aldermanco.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 OEMs, 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.