How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
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.
Thursday Jun 23, 2022
Thursday Jun 23, 2022
The mark of a great organization is a leader who empowers their people to make decisions at a tactical level; and employees who can advocate for change within the system.
When business owners micromanage and smother their top talent, they make progress impossible. When employees complain about the shortcomings of the company without coming up with real solutions, they can’t thrive in their roles.
How do both sides of the business relationship set themselves up for success?
In this edition of the Million Dollar Career Series, Robert Houghton and I discuss the entrepreneur trap from two different perspectives.
"It’s your job to figure out how to give the best results in the environment you’re in, with the dollars you have and communicate what the strategy is. If you keep telling people your baby’s ugly, you’re going to fail." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to empower your entire organization
What can the military teach us about the danger of extremely hierarchical organizations? - What new recruits get wrong
How do we advocate for change in a new company without disparaging the people and the system? - How to get buy-in from the start
We have the most leverage during an interview, but how do we actually use it?
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 16, 2022
Thursday Jun 16, 2022
Too many people find themselves stressed and burnt out - not because their lives are too busy, but because they’re piling on way more BS on their plates than they need to.
Our lives would be way easier if we followed this simple golden rule: if it’s not a hell yeah, it’s a no. Whether it’s jobs, business opportunities or even social commitments, we need to value our time by saying no to what doesn’t serve us.
How do we escape the trap of overcommitting? When we actually do want to say no, what’s the best way to say it?
In this episode, executive recruiter and the President of MR Fairfax, Robert Houghton returns for our Million Dollar Career Series, and today we talk about valuing our time by getting used to the word no.
"If you want to say no to something, tell them why it’s a no straight up. It has to be one reason, not two, three or four." -Robert Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why so many give their power away by overcommitting
When it comes to valuing our time, what can we learn from Warren Buffett’s approach? - The importance of valuing your time
How do we avoid being someone’s patsy and getting taken advantage of by overcommitting? - The root of burnout and frustration
How does overcommitting impact the way we show up in different areas of our lives?
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 02, 2022
Thursday Jun 02, 2022
In today’s fast-paced world of algorithms and shiny objects, people overcomplicate career and business success, but just like in fitness, committing to a few simple actions is what drives results.
The simpler we make things, the better we get at our jobs, and the faster we get to our goals.
How do we simplify what we’re doing, and cut out the unnecessary complexity? In this episode, Robert Houghton and I share why simple things make a huge difference.
"The 3 things a salesperson needs to focus on who their customer is, how to stay in touch with them and how to provide value." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The benefits of cutting out the complexity
Why does simplicity make our metrics and insights more actionable? - How to uncover what pushes the needle in our careers
What can the military and law enforcement teach us about taking action in our careers? - How successful people present themselves to the world
How do we dress for success without overcomplicating things?
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.
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. As 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. Robert is the host of the Talent + Trust podcast.
To find out more, go to
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talent-trust/id1489738286
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com
Thursday May 26, 2022
Thursday May 26, 2022
As of May 2022, inflation remains the biggest concern for businesses. It’s not only raising production costs and eroding earnings, it’s also slowing down mergers and acquisitions, which should be very active right now.
Is it all gloom and doom or is this a speed bump before the big opportunity?
In this episode, President of Alderman & Company, Bill Alderman returns to share how inflation is affecting aviation businesses, and some of the solutions coming down the pipeline.
In this episode, President of Alderman & Company, Bill Alderman returns to share how inflation is affecting aviation businesses, and some of the solutions coming down the pipeline.
I think this inflation thing is a speed bump and the opportunities on the other side of it will be monumental. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why we’re experiencing so much inflation
Is this current rate of inflation a lesser evil if we consider what the alternative could have been? - Why the M&A space has been so sluggish lately
What’s holding up the deal flow in M&A, and can we expect a change anytime soon? - The good news about the US supply chain
How will the reshoring of manufacturing impact the US economy?
Guest Bio
William ‘Bill’ Alderman is the Founder and President of Alderman & Company. A former investment banker, 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:
914-414-4070
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 May 12, 2022
Thursday May 12, 2022
Once in a lifetime opportunities and massive breakthroughs don’t happen by accident - they are a direct byproduct of how we position ourselves. The next great career move could be one conversation or one even question away, but if we’re complacent or comfortable in what we know right now - it will always be out of reach.
What keeps people from professional and personal growth? In today’s special episode, we’re celebrating our 150th episode!
I’m joined by our show’s producer, founder of Pursuing Results and author of MicroFamous, Matt Johnson. I share what I’ve learned from successful people and how they chase opportunities.
"Opening new doors and finding opportunities is a continuous process. It never stops." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to reach beyond your own competence
Can we open the door to more knowledge by asking one simple question? - The truth about the “safety” of big companies
What stops people from getting out of the limits of corporate to create bigger opportunities out of the corporate machine? - The fine line we have to walk in order to succeed
How do we balance between staying relentlessly focused on our goals and closing ourselves off to new opportunities?
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 May 05, 2022
Thursday May 05, 2022
When it comes to investing in recruiting A+ talent, most companies talk a big game, but just don’t do enough to really appeal to those heavy hitters in the job market. Where are they going wrong?
From unexciting job listings to an unwillingness to pay for the best, we’re seeing employers make various mistakes, and as a result, their recruiting efforts keep falling flat.
This is the craziest job market we’ve ever seen, and the best people won’t even consider you as an employer unless you’re doing something really different.
What does it take to become the organization the best people want to work for? In the latest episode in the Million Dollar Career Series, Robert Houghton and I discuss how companies can get the talent they need to scale their business.
"Companies don’t understand that the people they’re recruiting don’t want jobs, they want careers." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why money isn’t enough to attract the best talent
What valuable recruiting lessons can we learn from the Navy and Army? - The kinds of companies people want to work for
Why are so many major organizations suffering brain drain and losing their best people? - How to hook in the right candidate
Heavy hitters aren’t actively looking for jobs, they are passive candidates who are relatively happy where they are, so how do we appeal to them?
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.
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. As 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. Robert is the host of the Talent + Trust podcast.
To find out more, go to
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talent-trust/id1489738286
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com