How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Thursday Sep 15, 2022
As the aerospace industry emerges from the last kicks of covid, mergers and acquisitions are a great barometer of the new developments, the big market needs and the concerns of both buyers and sellers.
Even though there’s still a little caution in the air, many corners in the industry are poised to make major moves going forward.
Where are big firms looking to participate right now? How can buyers and sellers approach the deal so everyone wins?
In this episode, managing partner of Coeptis Consulting Group, Chuck Adams, shares what’s happening in M&A and what we can expect over the next couple of years.
There’s uncertainty around the economy, but there are still some good solid deals going on. -Chuck Adams
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why the frenzy died down in multiples
Are we seeing a compression of multiples caused by covid, and when can we expect them to pick back up? - How to tap into a global market
What kind of opportunities are emerging markets creating for aerospace operators? - What’s driving open operators to sell
How should buyers approach the owner operators who are selling a business that’s really close to their heart?
Guest Bio
Chuck Adams is the managing partner of Coeptis Consulting Group. He brings years of experience to the firm with a background in the aviation/aerospace, automotive, and industrial goods industries. His deep, technical engineering expertise, combined with his business background, provides our clientele with a comprehensive, technical-business examination when providing our services. Prior to co-founding Coeptis Consulting Group, he spent over six and a half years at GE Aviation providing engineering & business services, interacting with internal & external production and MRO shops around the globe on various product lines, including the CFM56, LEAP, GE90, and CF34 commercial lines, as well graduating from GE’s Engineering Development Program. Before GE, he also spent time in the automotive, food manufacturing, industrial goods, construction, and video game industries. Additionally, he has founded a few companies, including a profitable residential & commercial construction firm in the local Idaho area, and is well-versed in data analysis, including programming (Python, MATLAB, SQL, and more). Chuck holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Boise State University, a MS in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University, and an MBA from Indiana University.
To find out more, go to https://www.coeptiscg.com/ or phone 253-720-9058.
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.
Thursday Sep 08, 2022
Thursday Sep 08, 2022
The pandemic created a unique set of circumstances for private aviation; an alignment between the forced adoption of technology and the emergence of a new type of consumer has given the sector an incredible boost in demand and volume.
A monumentally entrepreneurial organization like Sentient Jet is primed for this private aviation gold rush, and on the forefront of evangelizing the sector.
What are some of the pieces they are lining up to continue expanding market share? How is tech fueling their organizations growth?
In this episode, President and CEO of Sentient Jet, Andrew Collins shares why the last few years have been so fruitful for private aviation and what the company aims to accomplish.
We’re trying to remove as much friction as we can from private aviation and generate the most positive experience. -Andrew Collins
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The truth about market rationalized pricing
Is the idea of the democratization of business aviation an unrealistic oxymoron? - Why Sentient Jet is investing in eVTOL
Can aviation create a frictionless and convenient way to do short distances? - The rise of a new customer
How has this post-pandemic era impacted what business aviation customers expect? - Sentient Jet’s main focus
How can the private aviation industry improve the experience for a growing customer base?
Guest Bio
Andrew Collins is the President and CEO of Sentient Jet, he is responsible for a $450 million consumer travel and aviation business that has rapidly flourished over the last six years. Under his leadership the company has benefited from both a digital and business model transformation, in addition to an organizational restructuring. This includes setting market, product, and brand strategy, integrating a full suite of retail and wholesale technology applications, tripling sales, optimizing client acquisitions costs, and significantly moving top-line revenues, while also evolving Sentient into an EBITDA-positive entity. In addition to running Sentient Jet, Collins is a lead executive at parent company OneSky where he is focused on M&A, operations, and revenue management activities. In 2021 Collins led the acquisition of Halo Aviation in London and integrated the company with Associated Aircraft Group (recently acquired from Sikorsky Lockheed Martin) in NYC to form OneSky’s Vertical Lift division, creating a global fleet of 24 helicopters and a platform for the future of flight. Inclusive with this effort was an order for 200 eVTOL (electric vertical take off and landing) vehicles from Embraer’s EVE.
To find out more, go to https://sentient.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.
Thursday Sep 01, 2022
Thursday Sep 01, 2022
In a post-pandemic world of work, the frustrations and concerns that led to The Great Resignation have morphed into a more passive aggressive trend.
Quiet quitting has emerged as the way unhappy employees express their job dissatisfaction, but does it actually do more harm to the worker than the employer?
In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we’re going to talk about why quiet quitting destroys your own career, and the more productive way to deal with any career frustrations.
Setting boundaries is the alternative to quiet quitting. -Rob Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why hard work doesn’t have to come at the expense of our personal lives
How can we give 110% at work without burning ourselves out? - Why the solution is often setting better boundaries
Quiet quitting is often driven by well-founded concerns about the job. How do we communicate how we truly feel instead of being passive aggressive? - The importance of mentorship
If you can’t afford a coach, how can you still get the guidance of an expert in your corner?
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.
Thursday Aug 18, 2022
Thursday Aug 18, 2022
Big ships and tugboats are entirely different machines, and the captains who steer them serve very different roles.
This rule shows up in our careers - it’s hard for someone who thrives in a start-up to excel in a large corporation, and the people who are great in corporate would struggle in a more entrepreneurial environment.
There’s nothing wrong with either path, but the key is knowing yourself and placing yourself in the right environment.
What are the key differences between corporate-oriented people and those more suited to startups? In today’s edition of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about the Tugboat Theory and how to use it to get the most out of your career.
Everybody brings skills to the table, you’ve got to know where you sit. If you’re a small company person at heart, don’t go looking for jobs at big companies. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The root of career friction
Why do many entrepreneurial people drown in the corporate world? - Why you don’t have to bite off more than you can chew
Can you set up your career path in such a way that you get the best of both worlds? - Why startups offer an amazing opportunity
How can a corporate worker make the switch to a startup and what makes it such a great move?
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.
Thursday Aug 04, 2022
Thursday Aug 04, 2022
In football, throwing a red flag allows a coach to contest the ref’s decision. It installs an extra layer of accountability and fairness. In military operations, we red team our strategies to identify weaknesses that can be improved upon.
Corporate organizations and businesses can benefit from the same approach. Having someone on the team who can interrogate a decision or call BS on a potential move, makes the business stronger.
How does this show up in companies? Who are the people we should really be listening to before we proceed on a plan?
In this episode of the Million Dollar careers series, we talk about the power of a red team strategy.
"Throwing a red flag provides outside input, accountability, empowerment, and it can help you avoid a lot of bad decisions." -Robert Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why accountability improves a business
Does throwing the red flag subconsciously make everyone better at their jobs? - The importance of having a frenemy in the business
Some people find finance roles like accountants and auditors annoying, but why are they so critical to our success? - How to red team our own lives
What’s one simple thing we can do to keep ourselves from making bad decisions?
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.
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
Most resumes, even the ones with the most impressive accomplishments, are nothing more than a list of boring bullet points. If you’re trying to get a great job with a profile that’s devoid of personality and storytelling, it’s going to be really hard to stand out.
Everyone has an incredible story to tell about their lives and careers, the more we tell them, the more people want to bring us into their worlds.
In this episode of the Million Dollar Careers series, Robert Houghton and I talk about what the history of America teaches us about storytelling.
When you’re doing a resume, you’re telling your story and the story has to be informative, inspiring and it has to be entertaining. If it’s just a bunch of bullet points, no one will read it. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why we have to create career vignettes
How do you transform an accomplishment on your resume into a mini story? - How to balance humility with pride
Can we talk about our proudest accomplishments without coming off braggy and arrogant? - A storytelling lesson from Bill Gates
How did the founder of Microsoft use mosquitoes to tell a memorable story?
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.
Thursday Jul 21, 2022
Thursday Jul 21, 2022
Recruiting the next generation of professionals is a big concern for the aviation industry. It is now mandatory that aviation companies, large and small, to paint a clear picture of attractive career opportunities.
How can the industry accomplish this?
Andy Priester, Chairman and CEO of the world's largest and oldest family-owned Management and Charter company talks about navigating challenges surrounding recruitment, how to attract the right team members and make team members feel more valued.
The more we’re connected, the more job satisfaction our team members can get. - Andy Priester
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to make your company an employer of choice
What are the different ways to make your team members feel more valued? - How aviation companies can attract top pilot talent
How can we project an image of career consistency that is attractive to pilots? - How to hire the right team members
What qualities should you look for when hiring applicants?
Guest Bio-
Andy Priester serves as Priester Aviation’s Chairman and CEO. He is the third generation of Priesters to lead the business, the world's largest and oldest family-owned Management and Charter company. The Priester family has a rich aviation history starting in 1945, including owning Palwaukee Airport – KPWK (now renamed Chicago Executive Airport), operating a flight school, operating multiple FBOs, providing 145 maintenance services, and operating an aircraft sales division. During Andy’s tenure at Priester, he has grown the fleet from seven to over 65 aircraft they manage from 15 bases globally today. Andy currently sits on the board of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, is current Chair of YPO Chicago – Windy City, and is past Chair of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). Andy is a proud University of Dayton Flyer and holds a Master’s degree from Concordia University.
To find out more, go to: https://www.priesterav.com/about-us/priester-team/. You can also email Andy directly at andyp@priesterav.com or call his office at 847-537-1133.
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.
Thursday Jul 14, 2022
Thursday Jul 14, 2022
One of the fastest ways to tank a career with a lot of potential is to be the guy or gal known for gossiping, whining and loudly airing discontent. It drags down the morale of the whole office and you become a cancer the company desperately wants to cut out.
Instead of being the resident naysayer on the team, how do we show up ready to pull our weight and get the job done with minimal grumbling?
In this episode, Robert Houghton returns for our Million Dollar Careers series. Today, we talk about the danger of being the negative person in the office.
"If you take someone who is gossiping, whining and complaining - the opposite is someone who makes a mistake and extremely owns what they do, they are accountable. Those are the leaders a company needs." -Robert Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The other side of gossiping and complaining
What can we learn from a gas station attendant’s act of extreme ownership? - What rudderless companies have in common
If a company is failing to weed out the gossipers and complainers, what does it say about the organization? - How to increase your chance of promotion
Could refusing to show up to the office be keeping you from the promotion you want?
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.
Thursday Jul 07, 2022
Thursday Jul 07, 2022
Over the last few years, what people expect from an employer-employee relationship has shifted significantly, and leaders have to keep up.
The days of the traditional clock-in-clock-out, 9-5 job are over. People want real meaning, equity and trust out their companies.
How do we progress towards happier workplaces? What are the employees of today seeking from their leaders, and how do so many companies get it wrong?
In this episode, solopreneur, strategy consultant, speaker, trainer and author of “The Lovable Leader”, Jeff Gibbard joins me for a great conversation on becoming a leader people will happily follow.
Leaders underestimate how simple it is to make progress toward better. To move towards environments where more people are happy requires small shifts. -Jeff Gibbard
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why trust is key to a great employer-employee relationship
Why does micromanaging say a lot more about the leader than it does the employee? - How to deal with activist employees
What's at the root of the employer vs. employee friction we see in so many organizations? - Why a leader’s first month is mission-critical to their success in the role
If the first month of leading a team is rough does that mean it’s the wrong fit?
Guest Bio
Jeff Gibbard is a solopreneur, strategy consultant, speaker, trainer and author of The Lovable Leader. Commonly known as the World's Most Handsome Strategist and Professional Speaker. Jeff has noticed that our culture of work glorifies profits over people, burnout over quality of life, and dominance over autonomy. He believes that we can no longer pretend that our work is separate from who we are. Our work is a part of who we are. What we do and how we do it, should be in alignment with who we want to be.
For more information and to sign up for Jeff’s newsletter, visit https://jgibbard.com/ and buy his book “The Lovable Leader: Build Great Teams with Trust, Respect, and Kindness” here.
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.
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Over the last 2 decades, the needs of veterans have come into the spotlight more than ever before, and there’s still a huge need to understand the challenges that come with military service.
How do we make the transition out of service less difficult? What can civilians and the private sector do to better support the men and women who have served our country?
In this episode, Fighter Pilot, Military and Veteran Advocate, Consultant, Speaker, and Coach, Brigadier General Odie Slocum, shares how his organization Others Over Self is helping veterans.
Guest Bio
General Odie Slocum is a Fighter Pilot (ret), Military and Veteran Advocate, Consultant, Speaker, and Coach. He works with the organizations Others Over Self and Warriors With Warriors.
For more information head to https://othersoverself.com/ae/.
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.