The Aerospace Executive Podcast

Peak Performance & Resilience, Getting to the Top - David Butler

Peak performance is what gets us to the next level, but it doesn’t come easy. What do peak performers have in common? David Butler, Performance Coach, World-Class Athlete and experienced business leader, discusses what it takes for us to reach our goals. 

Part of mental toughness is understanding that there’s a long-term benefit and a short-term pain in getting what you want to achieve. -David Butler  

Takeaways + Tactics 

• True resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and re-engage life with enthusiasm   
   
• The reason people quit is because the cost of what they want to achieve isn’t worth the end result 
  
• Mindfulness is the ability to look at the present and let go of the past
   
• In most organizations, trust is only surface deep. The distrust underneath is what makes it hard for people to form cohesive teams

 

Guest Bio

David is the Senior VP of Leadership and Organizational Development. He is a recognized thought leader in peak performance strategies with over 30 years of executive leadership in human capital performance. He develops solutions for addressing leadership and organizational challenges and is an elite performance consultant for Olympic athletes and military special forces operators.

 

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. 

Effectively Transitioning to a Leadership Role - Jason Roncoroni

Transitioning to a leadership role can be overwhelming. Are you mentally prepared for the task?

President of Ordinary Hero Coaching Jason Roncoroni shares best practices to transition into bigger roles.

People who adapt will thrive, and those who don’t will be left behind. -Craig Picken

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• Stop attaching identity (title) to positions. To thrive, we have to become our most authentic selves. 
   
• Effective leaders are those who emulate the type of leadership they have thrived under.
   
• Stop playing it safe. People often avoid leadership positions because they fear change.

 

Guest Bio

Jason Roncoroni is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and former battalion commander from the United States Army. He served 33 months in combat over 3 deployments and has the unique distinction of having transitioned from the military twice. He left the army as a junior captain only to return to the military after 9/11, and he most recently retired after 21 years of active duty service. Since leaving the military, Jason has become a nationally recognized thought leader who has advised senior military leaders, policy makers, and government officials on military transition and reintegration. 

Jason has also authored white papers and won several awards for innovations related to veteran health and military transition. He has been invited to be a core member of international collaborative efforts created to address issues related to military transition and civilian reintegration, and recently co-authored the book Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration. As the founder of Ordinary Hero Coaching, Inc., he is a nationally recognized executive coach and leadership consultant. He is Commandant's List graduate from the United States Military Academy, the recipient of a Master of Science in I/O Psychology from Capella, and graduated valedictorian from his MBA class at the University of North Carolina's Keenan-Flagler Business School.  His notable military awards include the Legion of Merit, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. Jason lives in North Carolina with his wife - Jill, his two sons - Aidan and Everett, and his dog - Marley.  

 

To find out more about Jason, head to:

https://www.OrdinaryHeroCoaching.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonroncoroni/

You can also email him on jason.roncoroni@ordinaryherocoaching.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.

How Business can Benefit from Military Aviation Training – Kevin Sweeney

Military tactics can easily transition to business and help build strong teams. Accomplished author, businessman and USAF pilot talks about the importance of teamwork and how, as leaders, we should be interacting with those around us.

When it comes to surviving a disaster, it’s not what you do at the time of crisis, it’s what you’ve done prior to that. -Lt Colonel Kevin Sweeney

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• As individuals, it is easy to focus on climbing the corporate ladder. But success comes when we work in teams.  
• Empower every team member to say something if they see a problem because, when disaster strikes, everyone is at risk. 
• Train teams to anticipate problems to ensure they can handle pressure before they find themselves in a difficult position.

 

Guest Bio

Kevin Sweeney, 'The Colonel,' has been a leader of men and women for over 30 years. He is a leadership expert who speaks to corporations and associations on performance under pressure, decisive leadership, and how to become the teammate your customers covet. He is the author of two books, Conversations with the Colonel: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Wisdom & Pressure Cooker Confidence, How to Lead When the Heat is On.

'The Colonel' is the only person to have ever landed a KC-135, the military version of the Boeing 707, after the two engines on his left wing came totally off the airplane — and he did it at night, at maximum gross weight on a Desert Storm Combat mission.

He has also been an Executive at a Fortune 50 company, a major software company, and an all conference athlete in college.

 

To find out more about Kevin, visit 

https://sweeneyspeaks.com/about/ 

You can also email him on kevin@sweeneyspeaks.com

Or call him directly on 8172518767

 

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.

Have the Conversation

The end of the 20th century brought the end of job security. It’s now evident… Your job or your best employee can quickly disappear in the keystrokes of a simple email. It’s for that reason why we should NEVER STOP HAVING CONVERSATIONS!

Companies should always be recruiting, because you never know when your talent will leave. The last thing you need is to say ‘what now?’ -Craig Picken

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• Never have a mindset that all the seats are full. No matter how good your current team, keep recruiting. You never know when someone might leave.
  
  
• Always be having conversations. They’re the best way to network and gain an understanding of the world around you. 
   
  
• Continual conversations show that we’re open to change and show other industry players we are adaptable.
  
  

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.

Changing Your Career Path - Michael Alan Tate

Many find themselves unhappy in their career paths and get lost when switching directions. Accomplished author and career coach, Michael Alan Tate, discusses how to be more intentional in career planning and how to effectively change career paths.

Get intentional about what you want. -Michael Alan Tate

Takeaways + Tactics 

• Family history is a great guide
  
• Putting personal skills and values in writing helps to identify individual strengths and weaknesses.  Writing is a strong tool in intentional career planning 
  
  
• Gravitate to the language you love being around and follow its direction to the most suitable industry
  

Guest Bio

Michael Alan Tate is the President of On the Same Page Consulting, Inc. As a consultant passionate about career transitioning, Michael has authored The White Shirt: Find Your Ideal Career with the Secrets Hidden in This Ancient Story, Design a Life that Works, On the Same Page, Faith Matters, and is the writer behind the Leadership and Life Journal blog. He has a formal education in psychology, education and religion, and holds professional certifications including Benchmark® facilitator for the Center for Creative Leadership and Birkman Method® Consultant. Michael is also a Compression Planning® storyboard planning specialist and graphics facilitator, and has had active involvement in the Institute for Career Certification International Institute, having served as CFO and sitting Governor on the ICCI worldwide board.

 

To find out more about Michael, his work and his books, visit:
https://michaelalantate.com/

https://whiteshirtbook.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.

Becoming World Class?

To BE world-class means understanding what world-class is. To get there requires a complete understanding of the world around you and seeing how others do it differently. Indeed, people and companies may think they’re good! But if they’re not looking beyond themselves, and understanding what the competition is doing, then they’ll never really know.

 

The only way to know you’re world class is by constantly looking at what your competitors are doing. -Craig Picken

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• Look around!  World-class means taking journeys beyond the comfort zone. 
  
  
• World class today doesn’t guarantee being world class tomorrow. It’s a constant battle for improvement. 
  
• Nobody gets better via preaching the status quo.
  
  

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.

A Rapidly Changing Aviation Industry - Richard Aboulafia

Aircraft Deliveries, Declining Lease Rate, Airbus, MAX, Safety and more!  Richard Aboulafia, one of the world’s premier aviation analysts, offers his thoughts on the state of our industry.

 

There might be a time and place for breaking rules, but there needs to be a different mindset in Washington when it comes to airplane safety. -Richard Aboulafia

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• The Airbus A220 was corporate suicide for Bombardier, but will become a premier aircraft under the Airbus banner
  
• Boeing MAX, WILL be a very successful airplane, but the drama around it will dramatically change how aircraft are designed and certified throughout the world.
  
• Commercial airlines are changing the world in more ways than most people can envision

 

Guest bio

Richard Aboulafia is the Vice President of Analysis at Teal Group. Richard is also a well respected writer in the aviation industry, and in addition to writing and editing Teal’s World Military and Civil Aircraft Briefing, he has published numerous articles in Aviation Week and Aerospace America, among others. Richard is considered a foremost industry authority by trade and news publications, and has made a number of appearances on news programs and at conferences. 

 

To find out more about Richard, visit RichardAboulafia.com

You can also email him directly at  raboulafia@tealgroup.com 

Or call his office at 1-703-385-1992 extension 103.

 

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.

Taking Aerospace Start-Ups to the Next Level - Wil Benton

Accelerator programs help start-up companies and major aerospace corporations develop technology.  Will Benton, Venture and Ecosystem Developer at ATI Boeing Accelerator discusses start-ups, industry investment and the future. 

Accelerator programs offer participants a lot of value, like the varied network of individuals they provide participants access to. -Wil Benton

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• ATI Boeing Accelerator connects start-up companies with investors and helps establish investment relationships.
   
• For both big players and start-ups, accelerator programs offer access to a vast network of individuals who bring valuable experience
  
• Industry giants view accelerator programs as a way to access and develop cutting-edge innovations

 

Guest Bio

Wil Benton is one of the two program directors at Ignite. He is currently delivering the ATI Boeing Accelerator as the Director of Venture and Ecosystem. Wil is no stranger to accelerator programs, having developed a number of them across the UK. Wil is passionate about mentoring start-ups, and has personally invested in around 15 businesses to date. 

 

To find out more about Wil, visit https://uk.linkedin.com/in/fatkidonfire

You can also find him on twitter: @fatkidonfire

To sign up for the next ATI Boeing Accelerator Program (held September 2020), visit https://atiboeingaccelerator.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.

Why I’m Bullish on Generation “Next”

Drake Massa will be someone’s rising star. At 12 years old he set a goal to make $100,000, and he hit it. Today, he’s a college junior who works full time, is paying for his own college, is taking a FULL load of classes, and is excelling.

He’s why I’m bullish on the future!

Co-founder of Massa Landscape Design, a Project Manager with Elm Builders and a Finance and Marketing Strategy major at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, Drake shares the steps for companies to attract top, future talent.

 

Offer recruits open opportunities- they want to work somewhere they feel they can move around and make an impact. -Drake Massa

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• Get involved with mentoring opportunities at universities and training programs. It’s a great way to meet those who are most motivated to excel.
  
• Offer solid opportunities for growth. Even at entry-level, young talent wants to make an impact.
  
• Be ever-present.  Ongoing recruiting is not a one-time, on campus event.

 

Guest Bio

Drake Massa is the co-owner of Massa Landscape Design, a company founded with his brother while they were both teenagers. He is currently interning at Elm Builders as an assistant project manager. Drake is also in the process of completing his double concentration in finance and marketing strategy at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, while being part of the Cameron Executive Network, where he is being mentored by Craig Picken.

 

To find out more about Drake, visit

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drake-massa-321316120

 

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.

The Future of Business Aviation with Rollie Vincent

Business Aviation will see monumental opportunities and face monumental challenges.  Acclaimed industry expert Rolland “Rollie” Vincent candidly shares what it will take for business jet OEMs and operators to thrive amidst an uncertain landscape.  

People want more comfort in the cabin. In the future, this will have to translate into design - even on smaller aircrafts. -Rolland Vincent

 

Takeaways + Tactics 

• Cabin designs will become revolutionary versus evolutionary
   
• New safety features are here and will become standard equipment
   
• The political environment cannot be ignored – ever!

 

Guest Bio:

Rolland Vincent is the President of Rolland Vincent Associates, a consulting firm dedicated to helping clients navigate for global aviation leadership. He has 35 years of experience in the fields of marketing, strategy, economics and business development, and is an expert in market research, demand forecasting, and industry and competitive analysis, among others. 

To find out more about Rolland, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rolland-vincent-027a3512

https://www.navigating360.com/#about

 

You can also contact him on 

9724392069 

And rvincent@rollandvincent.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.