How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
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?
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.
Pre-order your copy of the book 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 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Data, data, and more data. The issue isn’t a lack of data but the inability to use it effectively.
It could be a challenge of interoperability, formatting or turning the data into motivation across the organization. The truth is: there’s a real art to utilizing the intelligence a business already has.
What can we do to organize scattered data? How do you use data to not just learn, but to motivate different areas of the business?
In this episode, I’m joined by the CEO of Nowsight™, Michael Schader. We talk about the biggest challenges businesses face in collecting, assessing and leveraging all the data flowing through the organization.
It’s answering the right questions with the right data and providing those answers with the right visualization. -Michael Schader
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The real challenge in business intelligence
Are companies in need of more data or are they unable to use what they already have?
- Why data gathering has to go deeper than the basics
What are the critical stats leaders worry about and how can they easily access that data?
- Data-driven or emotion-driven
How do most leaders currently make decisions?
Guest Bio
Michael Schader is a highly sought-after software architect, who brings a unique, elegant approach to solving complex business problems. His company, Nowsight™ stitches together company data-sources to create a real-time, always-on view of the company that you can access 24/7/365. For more information, head to https://nowsight.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.
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
The NFL draft is the greatest talent-hunting mission on display, and it’s a master class in excellence, business, recruiting, and people development.
Millions of kids play high school football. In college that number precipitously drops to 96,000 and at the professional level that drops further to 1,600. That exponential leap in caliber raises the game, and only the exceptional can make it.
What parallels can we draw in the business world? What makes the superstars so special? In this episode, we talk about why The Draft is such a great learning tool for leaders and employees alike.
Millions of kids play high school football. In college, that number precipitously drops to 96,000. In the NFL, it drops to 1,600. The caliber is an exponential leap. -Craig Picken
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Drafting on potential vs. drafting on experience: How do we determine the kind of player that will fit our teams well?
- The worst draft picks: There’s no force as disruptive as an un-coachable player. How do we avoid them?
- It all comes down to “do you your job”: Talent alone doesn’t make a great player. Why is EQ so important?
- Put more plays in your playbook: You never know what’s out there that’s going to kill you unless you’re looking out for it. How do you keep your head on a swivel?
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 May 25, 2023
Thursday May 25, 2023
It’s an exciting time to be in the business of aviation. The industry finds itself at the confluence of exciting and game-changing technologies and innovations.
The advancement of electric propulsion, the evolution of eVtol, and the massive increase in computing power. All these changes are creating a leap forward akin to the revolutionary jump from analog to digital.
How will all these advancements change aviation as we know it for the next 10-20 years?
In this episode, President and CEO of Aspen Avionics and COO of The AIRO Group, John Uczekaj shares what he’s excited about in aviation, and what the future holds for the business.
We want to merge smaller companies and provide enough mass to be competitive with larger companies, while still retaining the small company innovation, entrepreneurship, and nimbleness. -John Uczekaj
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Upgrade the cockpit
How will technology make the process of flying safer, more efficient, and equipped for the future?
- Drones and evTol, the new frontier for aviation
What changes will electric mobility introduce in both logistics and passenger movement?
- Huge developments, all at once
What are all the forces coming together to create a huge shift in aviation?
Guest Bio
John Uczekaj is the President and CEO of Aspen Avionics and COO of The AIRO Group. has over 35 years of experience in the avionics industry, starting as an engineer at Boeing and moving into key management positions at Sperry and Honeywell. Before his position as COO at The AIRO Group, John led Aspen Avionics as CEO for 15 years and has grown the company into one of the leading avionics manufacturers in general aviation. Immediately before joining Aspen, John was president and COO of The NORDAM Group. John received the Aviation Industry Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 from the Living Legends of Aviation and was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation in 2013. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Mr. Uczekaj holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University and an MBA from City University, Seattle, Washington. John is an instrument-rated private pilot.
Head to https://theairogroup.com/ for more information.
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 May 18, 2023
Thursday May 18, 2023
The charter space is a high-touch, high-trust business with a lot of moving parts, especially when you’re dealing with the political elite. They aren’t just after a great experience, considerations like security have to be made too.
What are charter businesses doing to stay on the leading edge? How do they ensure the highest level of service, care, convenience, and safety?
In this episode, I’m joined by the founder and CEO of Advanced Aviation Team, Gregg Brunson-Pitts. He talks about his experience working at the White House and how his team handles the demands of such a high-pressure business.
Our clients come to us for an experience, not just a plane and a crew. -Gregg Brunson-Pitts
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Managing chaos
What did Gregg learn from handling travel for presidents and political campaigns?
- The importance of operational security
With everything happening in the world, what security issues do charter businesses and clients need to be thinking about?
- The future of charter businesses
Can we expect more consolidations of charter companies?
Guest Bio
Gregg Brunson-Pitts is the founder and CEO of Advanced Aviation Team. He has been managing safe and cost-effective charter aircraft solutions for candidates, campaigns, national leaders, heads of state, and government agencies for 15 years. Gregg’s experience with chartering aircraft spans every state in the US, more than 40 countries, and 6 continents. Whether it is a small aircraft for a few passengers or a large airliner for a few hundred, Gregg upholds his reputation for attention to detail, passion for his work, and superior dedication to his clients. For more information, visit https://advancedaviationteam.com/. You can also send an email to charter@adavteam.com or gregg@adavteam.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 May 11, 2023
Thursday May 11, 2023
When it comes to finding and bringing on superstar talent, some companies just can’t get out of their own way. They don’t do enough to make themselves a destination for the best of the best. They don’t offer enough value to stand out in the marketplace and they look for candidates in all the wrong places.
How do you shift your recruiting strategy? How do you open up your aperture when it comes to finding talent?
In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about what keeps superstars out of the reach of many businesses.
Stop focusing on money, start focusing on creating a destination. -Rob Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to get employers immersed in your business
Offering money isn’t good enough to get and keep the best people. What do we need to provide?
- Don’t create a game of musical chairs
Why do many organizations end up with a revolving door of employees?
- Think beyond the job spec
Some of the most talented people don’t necessarily fit into the description of the job on offer. Why do we have to look past that for the right people?
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 May 04, 2023
Thursday May 04, 2023
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.
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
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.
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Stories about the collapse of banks rightfully spook investors in a variety of industries, but things aren’t quite as dire as they are made out to be. Collapses make for great news stories, but if we really look at what’s happening in the aerospace and defense market, there’s no real cause for media panic.
Why is A&D in what my guest calls “A Goldilocks Place” right now? How do we separate media-fueled panic from what’s actually happening?
In this episode, aerospace and defense M&A banker and Founder and President of Alderman & Company, Bill Alderman returns to share how the “credit scare” is affecting A&D.
People are going to use the news any way they can to get a better deal. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why aerospace and defense are in a really great place right now
It’s very rare for both A & D to be having a good run. Why are they thriving?
- How aerospace and defense have been affected by the “capital scare”
With inflation and everything else going on, is this a great time to sell your aerospace and defense business?
- Strategic buyers are keeping the market honest
Are financial buyers taking advantage of the situation to try and get a better deal?
Guest Bio
William ‘Bill’ Alderman is the Founder and President of Alderman & Company who 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/
You can also call or text him on:
9144144070
Or email him at:
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 Apr 13, 2023
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
Reinventing your career is something just about everyone will have to do at some point, but what about companies? Can a company that was headed in one direction shift its entire trajectory?
The short answer: yes. With thought and intention a company can change its culture, realign their hiring practices and do what it takes to grow. The only thing is, the leaders have to adapt a specific mindset to successfully do this.
In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we discuss what it takes to transform a company.
It’s about active listening and then coming up with benchmarks and actions that are mutually agreed upon between staff and management. -Rob Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why great organizations lose great people
Really good people get pigeonholed because they are good at their jobs, how do you provide growth opportunities?
- The mark of great management
Many leaders say they listen to their people, but it’s really in one ear and out the other. How do you really start taking in what they say and taking action on it?
- When companies say “we can’t find the right people”..
Is the problem the talent in the market or something in the company's practices?
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.