How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
The dust up between American Airlines and JSX is an interesting airline industry development. The pilot’s unions say it’s all in the name of safety, but that couldn’t be further from reality.
What’s up with FAR Part 380?
Smaller airlines are trying to take the suck out of flying and continue service for small communities. Why are the majors so dead-set against these small players? Can we really buy the argument that they want to make the industry safer?
The answer is… complicated. There is more to the feud than meets the eye (or the press).
In this episode I’m joined by acclaimed aviation attorney, Paul Lange. We talk about the real motivation behind the industry’s opposition to FAA Part 380 carriers.
The majors and unions don’t want to provide choice to the American public. They want the only model available to be their airlines and fortress hubs. -Paul Lange
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-An end to the pilot shortage…
Is the 1500 hour rule the real reason for the opposition to Part 380 carriers (who can circumvent it). Are there more efficient and effective ways to train pilots?
- Why Part 380 carriers worry the majors
How can major carriers view charter carriers as competitive, existential threats when they have just 30 seats and a small fraction of the business?
- Safety or sabotage
Major carriers are harping on about the safety (or lack thereof) in the Part 380 carrier space. Is that really what they care about?
Guest Bio
Paul represents aviation businesses in solving significant and challenging problems. His background litigating and trying to verdict judgment aviation matters nationwide before federal and state courts as well as administrative agencies, sometimes simultaneously, brings a breadth of opportunities to the table when seeking to resolve disputes at their earliest opportunity or in complicated business structures restricted by regulatory overlays. In addition to remaining current trying cases, Paul’s transactional and aviation regulatory practice includes formation, mergers and acquisitions of fixed base operators (FBO’s), air carriers, air charter brokers, public charter operators, maintenance and repair organizations (MRO’s), and the purchase, sale and lease of aircraft. Go to http://lopal.com/ or call 203-375-7724.
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 Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Many people talk about wanting to be leaders, but a very small number actually turn that dream into reality.
The harsh truth is, most people won’t become CEOs or even grow their careers to a higher level, because they’re just not thinking the right way.
So, how does a leader think, and how are their habits different from those of the average Joe? Is there a way to change our mindsets so they’re better suited to a leadership role?
In this episode, executive recruiter and President of MR Fairfax, Robert Houghton and I are discussing the common attributes ALL great leaders have in common, and how to emulate them in our own careers.
"Thinking like a CEO is a difficult thing to master because you have to be part-owner, part-employee and captain of the ship." -Robert Houghton
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-The importance of maintaining focus
It’s impossible to reach our goals if we’re easily distracted. How can we really zone in on the activities guaranteed to help us push the needle forward?
-The education EVERY CEO needs to have
What are the non-negotiable skills leaders need to have and how can we go about acquiring them?
-Why communication is key
How can we expect to grow our careers to the next level if we don’t know how to communicate our ideas with others?
-The best way to handle Negative Nancies in our organizations
It’s not easy to work when we’re surrounded by negativity, so what can we do if we find ourselves in that situation?
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 Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Economic fragility, long-running supply chain woes, long lead times, and labor. These are just a few forces exerting massive pressure on aviation.
In this highly chaotic market, operators and suppliers have been put through the whipsaw, and that shows no sign of letting up anytime soon. With the new aircraft market still heavily backed up, ripples are being felt across the entire industry - especially in leasing.
Anyone taking delivery of aircraft is making hay while the sun shines, and ultimately, the prevailing market conditions will catch up.
Under such pressure cooker conditions, who wins, who loses and who should be worried?
In this episode, partner at Split Rock Aviation, Andy Mansell returns to share how market pressure is affecting the industry, and what the near future holds.
In our industry, there’s no such thing as an overnight fix. You can implement an overnight fix, but it takes a long time for that to flow through. -Andy Mansell
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-New aircraft…it gets worse before it gets better
There was major supply chain pressure even before covid hit. What does this mean for the near future of new aircraft?
-The market will resolve itself…
A lot of levers are being pulled to meet the market demands, but will it be enough?
-Freight ain’t for the faint of heart
Could the cargo market help steady businesses or is it just too challenging a niche to explore?
Guest Bio
Andy Mansell is a commercial aviation leasing industry veteran with an extensive background in developing, implementing, and executing strategies for aircraft trading and leasing. He is a Partner at Split Rock Aviation and has previously held leadership roles at Charlotte Parker and Associates LLC, Aviation Capital Group, and Boullioun Aviation Services.
To find out more, head to:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mansell
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 Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
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 Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Success is easy to find when it’s broken down into the basics.
What are the 10 key ingredients of a successful career? How do you avoid the common pitfalls?
In this special 200th episode of the podcast, we talk about the secrets to a million dollar career.
If you don’t understand what you need to do to be successful in a company or it’s ambiguous, stay away. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Mediocrity doesn’t open doors
What are signs that you’re not showing up at peak performance?
- Focus, focus, focus
How do you become a focused, specialized expert?
- Forget being the best of the best
What should we be paying the most attention to?
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 Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Covid drove the demand for charter aviation off the charts. Undoubtedly, we saw a sugar rush, and even though it’s tapered off, the industry is still benefiting from that peak.
Private aviation is spoken more of a lot more as a solution, and the audience is more educated about it than ever before. Where does the industry go from here? What are some of the opportunities? Considering how its fate is often linked to the economy, will the good times stop rolling?
In this episode, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales at Four Corners Aviation, Vincent Kavanagh shares how he sees the industry, including the current hurdles and opportunities.
I’m always bullish about the industry, if you’re as good as you say you are, you can still find the audience. -Vincent Kavanagh
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-A more educated customer
Where should buyers have their loyalty and what should they be looking for?
-The state of the private jet industry
The industry has become much more consolidated, but how has that led to more opportunities and solutions?
-So goes the economy, so goes private aviation? Not quite
Do the rise of interest rates hurt the charter industry or will these conditions create new opportunities?
Guest Bio
Vince Kavanagh is the Executive Vice President and Head of Sales at Four Corners Aviation. Four Corners Aviation has created an unprecedented suite of services, allowing business jet users to experience all the freedom, flexibility, and convenience of whole ownership, without all the headaches, responsibilities, and expense.
Nobody flies on a private jet simply to be on a private jet. They go to reach their varied destinations conveniently, flexibly, and hassle-free. Four Corners Aviation offers the most comprehensive suite of solutions in business aviation today.
To find out more, head to https://fourcornersaviation.com/ or email vkavanagh@fourcornersaviation.com or call 954-955-4582.
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 Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
The growth and financial opportunity in space isn’t going away anytime soon - in fact, it’s just getting started. Many people might think it’s just a flash-in-the-pan buzzword, but that’s like saying the ocean’s going away and we should stop building ships.
There are still some hurdles, however. Which include the ability to prove out the business models.
How are private equity firms navigating the space opportunity? Why did our guest make the switch from engineering to private equity? In this episode, VP at AE Industrial Partners, Jon Lusczakoski talks about his incredible career and the opportunity the company is taking advantage of.
We don’t want the firm to invest in one single constellation, specific type of company or technology. There’s too much risk there. We want to provide the picks and shovels for the gold rush. -Jon Lusczakoski
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Mapping out the space opportunity
If you take out SpaceX, Starlink, and Blue Origin, what’s the real financial picture in the space industry?
- From engineering to private equity
Why did Jon decide to change his career trajectory?
- Learn to double click on key details
From growing up around a small family business to working for a massive family business like Williams International, what has Jon learned?
Guest Bio
Jon Lusczakoski is Vice President at AE Industrial and is primarily focused on financial modeling, due diligence, executing new investments, and monitoring portfolio investments. Jon brings over seven years of aerospace industry experience to AE Industrial. Prior to joining AE Industrial in 2018, he was a Lead Engineer in the Program Development group at Williams International, where he led multiple integration programs for UAVs, military trainer aircraft and business jets.
To find out more go to;
https://www.aeroequity.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-lusczakoski-3832492a.
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 Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Covid, Inflation, Supply Chain interruptions and more have caused very volatile markets. A&D has also seen its share of volatility…and it is ever adapting to the environment.
With the squeeze on labor, working capital and raw materials organic growth seems difficult - but not impossible.
It’s a market of contradictions. The deal flow is there, but it’s also a tumultuous time to borrow money. There are a lot of great contracts, but with a backed up supply chain, manufacturers don't have the capacity to fill them. How are M&A advisors helping clients through these challenges? Where are the most surprising opportunities right now?
In this episode, I’m joined by managing partners at Coeptis Consulting Group, Chuck Adams and Corbin Metz. They share why it’s equally an exciting and challenging time to be in this industry, and navigating the exciting world of A&D from an entrepreneurial perspective.
Space is growing faster than people think, and there’s a big renewal in focus on it, especially on the commercial side. -Chuck Adams
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-The drive for diversification
How are the companies getting pummeled by current supply chain constraints responding to these challenges?
-Private equity…a gift and a curse
With an industry-wide squeeze on working capital, what are the challenges of taking the route of a strategic buyer?
-Raytheon GTF - a cause for concern
Will this engine’s recent setbacks affect its perceived reliability?
-Step out and bet on yourself
What drove Chuck and Corbin to leave big Corporate America and venture out on their own? What are the biggest differences between entrepreneurship and working for a huge company?
Guest Bio
Chuck Adams is the managing partner of Coeptis Consulting Group. He brings years of experience to the firm with a background in the aviation/aerospace, automotive, and industrial goods industries. His deep, technical engineering expertise, combined with his business background, provides our clientele with a comprehensive, technical-business examination when providing our services. Prior to co-founding Coeptis Consulting Group, he spent over six and a half years at GE Aviation providing engineering & business services, interacting with internal & external production and MRO shops around the globe on various product lines, including the CFM56, LEAP, GE90, and CF34 commercial lines, as well graduating from GE’s Engineering Development Program. Before GE, he also spent time in the automotive, food manufacturing, industrial goods, construction, and video game industries. Additionally, he has founded a few companies, including a profitable residential & commercial construction firm in the local Idaho area, and is well-versed in data analysis, including programming (Python, MATLAB, SQL, and more). Chuck holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Boise State University, a MS in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University, and an MBA from Indiana University.
Corbin Metz is the managing partner of Coeptis Consulting Group. She has spent well over a decade driving value in organizations across the aviation/aerospace, rail transportation, and industrial goods industries. Her deep operations experience compliments her strong expertise in the digital transformation & solutions space, allowing thorough understanding & implementation of solutions, observing best practices, and simplifying operations to drive business value, including the usage of techniques such as Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, and AGILE development. Prior to co-founding Coeptis Consulting Group, Corbin has spent over a combined decade alone at GE Aviation, GE Global Operations, GE Digital, and GE Transportation, delivering savings and simplification in many facets of the businesses. Also, she is a graduate of GE’s well-renowned Operations Management Leadership Program (OMLP), and has deep front-line experience in the production shop environment. Corbin holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering & MMBA from Miami University, and a Master of Supply Chain Management from Penn State University.
To find out more, go to https://www.coeptiscg.com/ or phone 253-720-9058.
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Everyone has the potential to have a million dollar career - whether you’re starting your own business or climbing the corporate ladder, the recipe is really simple.
The things that separate thousands of college athletes from the 200 that are drafted into the league are the same things that separate mediocre players from the cream of the crop in the professional arena.
There will always be barriers to excellence and success, and most of them are internal. How do we identify and eliminate the things that stand between us and the careers we want? What are the attributes of people with million-dollar careers?
In this episode, I’m joined by executive recruiter and president of MR Fairfax, Robert Houghton. We discuss the ingredients of a high-level, high-earning career, and why it’s easier to accomplish than you think!
"Anyone can have a million-dollar career, just get rid of the bad influences that prevent you from doing it." -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-How to “elevate your neighborhood”
Who do we have to hang out with if we want million dollar careers?
-The power of finding what fuels your success
Every successful person has something that won’t allow them to quit. How do you identify what that is for you?
-Why success starts within
What strategies can we use to reorganize our mindsets and how we view ourselves so we can create the careers we want?
Guest Bio
Robert Houghton is the president of MR Fairfax, headquartered in the WDC metro region. MR Fairfax is the #1 recruiter in the Mid-Atlantic region specializing in insurance and financial services. A twenty year veteran of the local business community and former founder and 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. For more information, visit https://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 Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
During the pandemic, aviation was in a world of hurt and it took a long time to recover. Now that we’re out of that, everyone is making money…except Boeing and anyone tied to them.
If you’re a well-run company, executing at a high level, you’re benefiting from the industry bounce back. If you’re programmatically connected to Boeing - well, it’s complicated and will be for a while.
Is there any silver lining for Boeing, or can we expect trouble for the next decade? Are interest rates affecting aviation, or is the labor shortage still the most pressing concern? In this episode, M&A banker, Bill Alderman returns to share the state of the industry and it’s so bifurcated.
If you are programmatically tied to Boeing, this is a difficult time for you, and it’s got nothing to do with the industry. It’s that your customer has actual operating problems and that flows right down onto you. -Bill Alderman
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
-The real problem
Everyone’s talking about the impact of interest rates, but is the labor shortage the real issue?
-Can Boeing get its act together
Why is Boeing having such a hard time while everyone else in the industry is experiencing incredible profitability?
-Boeing’s fate
The market’s lost confidence in Boeing, are they due for an activist investor or total collapse?
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:
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 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.