How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
There’s a general trend taking place at the moment, across industries, where everyone seems to be more concerned with what everyone else is doing, but that’s not going to get us anywhere. Only focus can do that.
What’s stopping more people from staying dialed in to their own jobs, and what can we do as leaders to make that easier for them?
Is there a way to pinpoint recruits more likely to knuckle down on what they’ve been hired to do?
In this episode, Robert Houghton and I discuss how to instill a culture of focus in our organizations.
Focus on whatever it is you've been hired to do and don't worry about anything else. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The importance of setting expectations
How can we expect our team members to do anything without communicating what we need from them?
- How to hold employees accountable to their unique commitments
Are we doing enough to encourage our employees to stay focused on their assigned tasks?
- 1 thing stopping people from staying focused
Focus isn’t a particularly difficult concept on paper, so what’s stopping the vast majority from knuckling down in their areas of expertise?
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.
To find out more, go to
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.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 Mar 10, 2022
Thursday Mar 10, 2022
COVID-19 was destructive to the aviation industry.
However, nearly 2 years after the global onset of the virus, much of the world is reopening. So, where does our industry stand today?
Are we finally on the road to recovery, or is there still a long way to go? Will we ever fully bounce back from the effects the pandemic has had on our business?
In this episode, co-founder of Inception Aviation Holdings, David Yu returns to the show to share his outlook on the state of aviation in 2022.
At the end of the day, I don't think things will get worse for airlines. -David Yu
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What the reopening of travel means for our industry
How much of an impact will the resumption of leisure travel make on our industry?
- When to expect a real recovery
How long will it take for us to see the industry surpass where it was in 2019, and move on to bigger things?
- 1 thing to know before investing in an airplane
Is it a wise choice to invest in aircraft before the industry has completely bounced back?
Guest Bio-
David Yu is the Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, and co-founder of aviation investing and financing firm, Inception Aviation Holdings. He is also the Executive Director of IBA Group in Asia, a leading global aircraft appraisal and consultancy. A recognized expert in cross-border finance and investing, David is an Adjunct Professor of Finance at NYU Shanghai, where he teaches the ‘Investing and Financing In and With China’ class. David is the author of Aircraft Valuation: Airplane Investments as an Asset Class and a Forbes contributor.
To find out more, go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Valuation-Airplane-Investments-Asset/dp/9811567425
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidyu/?sh=51431f782d7d
Or contact David at david.yu@nyu.edu
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 Mar 03, 2022
Thursday Mar 03, 2022
Making the transition from a military career to civilian is no easy task, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
With the right tools and support finding the career of your dreams is within reach..
The question is, what do the right tools and support look like? Moreover, how can veterans show potential employers that they’re capable of adapting their skills to a whole new world?
In this episode, founder of PreVeteran, Jason Anderson returns to the show to emphasize the importance of mindset when making a transition.
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What stops more employers from hiring veterans: How do common misconceptions surrounding veterans impact the way employers hire, and is there anything we can do to change that?
- How to understand the difficulties veterans face in the civilian workplace: Do veterans struggle to adapt to their new realities because they’re incapable of doing so, or do their challenges simply boil down to a lack of prior experience in the space?
- The role veterans need to play in their transition: Should the onus of support fall solely on a veteran’s new employer?
Guest Bio-
Jason Anderson is the Founder and President of PreVeteran, an organization dedicated to helping military veterans make a more seamless transition into their civilian careers. An Air Force veteran himself, Jason knows the struggle of transition all too well, having dealt with the frustration of not knowing the steps to success. Today, he is passionate about helping others find a way forward as they enter a new stage in their lives, through his PreVeteran courses. Jason is the Global Strategy and Foreign Military Sales SME at Collins Aerospace.
To find out more, go to:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/preveteran
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-anderson-preveteran/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2EKGhfxoomB_UenF6Bx40w
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 Feb 24, 2022
Thursday Feb 24, 2022
Every business leader wants to have an abundance of A-Players but what happens when the “rainmakers” have trouble working with the rest of the team?
A disconnect between employees often causes havoc in our businesses and once disruption starts it may be hard to contain.
The question is, however, how do we even begin to find the solution? Is retaining a rainmaking disruptor really worth losing the other dedicated employees?
In this episode, Matt Johnson and I share how to deal with employee conflict.
A-players will not tolerate mediocrity being tolerated, so if you’re in charge of how the team is structured, get rid of the C-players. -Matt Johnson
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Questions to ask when faced with a disconnected team
What are the questions we need to ask when disruption occurs?
- Who to keep on our teams (and who to let go)
Is there a ‘right’ way to reshuffle our teams, and who stays? Who goes?
- How to tell when an A-player is more trouble than good
Is the cost of a star employee worth the benefit?
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 Feb 17, 2022
Thursday Feb 17, 2022
We’ve all heard the cliche saying, ‘people don’t leave jobs, they leave people’, but it’s time to debunk that idea, once and for all!
People leave jobs for all kinds of reasons, from higher pay, to better opportunities for growth and even convenience, so we’ve got to stop chalking it all up to leadership.
The question we should be asking is, what happens when people do leave?
In this episode, Matt Johnson and I discuss how to respond to a turnover within our organization.
We have got to move beyond the unrealistic expectation that any turnover is bad. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to tell when a turnover is indicative of a problem
When is a turnover simply a reality of life, and when should it raise red flags?
- Why we should look at turnover as an opportunity
How can we stop equating a resignation with a loss, and start thinking about it as a chance to onboard an even better fit for our organization?
- How to ensure we’re never without a vital team member
Losing an important team member could impact our operations, so what can we do to make provisions for the situation, well in advance?
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.
Friday Feb 04, 2022
Friday Feb 04, 2022
Satellites have been around for decades, but thanks to the new affordability of low earth orbit, they're finally more attainable, so it's no surprise that the market is on fire right now.
The question is, what are all those satellites being used for?
What opportunities do satellites afford us today, and what can we expect the satellite business to look like in a few years' time?
In this episode, co-founder of Terran Orbital, Marc Bell shares what he's most excited about in the satellite space.
"If an iPhone has more computing power than a space shuttle, why is anyone still building a shuttle the size of a school bus?" -Marc Bell
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The truth about space being crowded
Is space really at risk of overcrowding, or can the growing traffic be managed effectively?
- How satellite manufacturers hire
How are satellite manufacturers identifying the best and brightest minds in the business? What does it take to stand out to these organizations?
- How satellites will be taken into the future
With technology moving at such a rapid rate, it's not uncommon for once cutting-edge innovation to become obsolete in a matter of years. How will the satellite business continue to adapt with the times?
Guest Bio-
Marc Bell is a space entrepreneur, passionate about pushing the needle forward. The co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Terran Orbital Corporation, Marc is at the helm of small satellite innovation. Marc was previously the Chairman and CEO of Globix Corporation, and in addition to countless other ventures including a publicly traded mortgage REIT, he is also a Two-Time Tony Award-Winning Stage Producer.
To find out more, go to:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbellmiami
https://www.terranorbital.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 Jan 20, 2022
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
Many people talk about wanting to be leaders, but the truth is, most of us aren’t doing what it takes to become leaders.
Leadership is about more than money, status, or power. Those may be perks of the job, but effective leadership is dependent on having uncomfortable conversations, making tough decisions, and taking radical ownership of everything that happens in our businesses.
How can we make the necessary mindset shift into that of a leader, so attributes like accountability become second nature to us? Is it even possible to learn to be a leader, or is it a trait we need to be born with?
In this episode, President of MR Fairfax, Robert Houghton and I discuss what it really means to be a leader.
"Leadership is not always doing the fun or nice thing, it’s doing what’s right for the business." -Robert Houghton
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to attain freedom as a leader
Most of us can relate to being fearful of doing or saying the right thing, for fear of the consequences. How can we get to the point where those consequences no longer hold us back, so we can focus on moving forward?
- The key difference between managers and leaders
Many people have the ability to manage; how many have the skills to actually lead?
- How to start taking radical responsibility
What are we doing to avoid taking radical ownership today, and what can we do to change that?
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.
To find out more, go to
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com
Books mentioned in this episode:
https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057
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 Dec 30, 2021
Thursday Dec 30, 2021
Everybody wants to onboard superstars, but just how many business owners are doing what it takes to recruit and retain them?
The truth is, not nearly enough of us are. We all speak about wanting our businesses to grow to new heights, but when it comes to taking on the kind of talent that will help us get there, we fail to jump at the opportunity.
Why is it that so few of us are willing to take a chance on superstars in the making? How can we get better at spotting that special something so we never have to pass up on the chance again?
In this episode, executive recruiter and President of MR Fairfax, Robert Houghton and I discuss how to spot, hire and retain superstar talent.
"If you want a Million Dollar business, get people who think like a Million Dollar Business!" -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why recruiting superstars is a completely different animal
What’s stopping more leaders from taking on a more hands-on approach to the hiring process, especially when it comes to game-changing talent?
- Why superstars need to be defined differently
Just how accurate is a checklist and expectation of experience when it comes to pinpointing the kind of recruits who could totally transform our businesses?
- The key to retaining top talent
The thing with superstars is, if we want them, so do our competitors. How can we make it worth their while to choose us over everyone else?
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.
To find out more, go to
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.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 Dec 16, 2021
Thursday Dec 16, 2021
Every business wants to onboard top talent, but are we actively positioning our organizations as the type of place people want to work, or are we letting that crucial element slip through the cracks?
For most businesses, the latter is true. The reality is, we don’t do enough to entice talented would-be recruits, and in today’s world, where salary alone just isn’t enough to impress, not being clear on what sets us apart from our competitors will only put us on the back pedal.
So, how can we get more intentional about creating a brand identity that resonates with our ideal employees?
In this episode, Founder and CEO of Ph.Creative, Bryan Adams shares how to build the kind of company the workforce is lining up to join.
"As an employer, you have to know exactly who you are and what you’re looking for." -Bryan Adams
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The factors most likely to attract top performers
What are our ideal recruits looking for in a new position, and how can we be the ones to give it to them?
- Why our interview process is more crucial than we think
Could an ineffective interview system actually cost us business, as well as the potential to onboard top recruits?
- How to continually attract the A-players
What can we do to entice top talent both now and in the long term?
Guest Bio-
Bryan Adams is the Founder and CEO of leading employer brand agency, Ph.Creative. A two-times bestselling author, Bryan is also a podcaster and specialist speaker, passionate about getting his audiences to think differently. Bryan is widely renowned as an employer brand thought leader, and has worked alongside some of the world’s best-known brands to reshape their image over the years.
To find out more, go to:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanadams1
https://www.amazon.com/Give-Get-Employer-Branding-Belonging-ebook/dp/B084ZCJWTJ
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/099555949X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
You can also contact Bryan directly 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 Dec 09, 2021
Thursday Dec 09, 2021
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
You can also email him with rhoughton@mrfairfax.com