How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Thursday Feb 16, 2023
Over the last few years, the business of aviation has been impacted by so many powerful forces, it feels a lot like a rubber band that stretched too far. The question is: will that rubber band ever retract back to what it was before, or is this just the new normal?
From inflation and the pilot shortage, to new buyers and changing pricing models, the industry has had to absorb a lot. Even though it just managed to bear the brunt of it, things may never be the same.
In this episode, I’m joined by CEO of Mente Group and Four Corners Aviation, Brian Proctor. He shares his thoughts on the industry today, and how the new normal is impacting everything that touches it.
Aircraft priceability is much less stable than ever before. That will begin to impact how owners think about the asset, but also lenders and insurance companies will begin to rethink how they go about valuing the airplane. -Brian Proctor
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Scrappy from the start
Starting a company in a down market doesn’t sound ideal, but can it serve you well in the long-run?
- How Mente Group migrates to where value is in the marketplace
How can companies keep up with the ever-increasing complexities of buying and selling aircraft?
-Where the current aircraft pricing model falls short
Is it high time we changed how we price aircraft to reflect the reality of the market?
Guest Bio
Brian is an aviation industry expert, the President and CEO of Mente Group and also the CEO of Four Corners Aviation. Brian has been serving private aviation clients for over 19 years. Having been involved in over $8 billion in aircraft transactions and over $7 billion in aviation business planning, Brian’s experience is sought by corporations and individuals worldwide.
For more information, head to https://mentegroup.com/ and https://fourcornersaviation.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 Feb 09, 2023
Thursday Feb 09, 2023
In my recent conversation with Mike ‘Nasty’ Manazir, he talked about starting with the end goal in mind and setting the intention to fly F-14s before it was even a possibility for him.
Every legendary pro-athlete knew what they wanted from a young age, and carved every aspect of their lives to get to that destination. In any field, the best of the best never lose sight of the ultimate goal, and they keep their eye on the prize at all times.
How can we apply this if we want to build a Million Dollar Career? In this episode, we’re talking about what it takes mentally to achieve the exceptional.
A million dollar career is about punching above your own weight, understanding where you want to be and having a laser focus to get there. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The difference between mediocre and Hall of Famer
How are the habits of an exceptional professional different from the rest of the pack? - Why people lose sight of the prize
How can you become so laser focused on where you want to go that you can resist all shiny objects? - How to determine your finish line early
Are you on the right career path based on what you’re good at and what you actually want to accomplish?
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 02, 2023
Thursday Feb 02, 2023
In many facets, the idea of a fully electric future becomes more attainable by the day, and the question is if aeronautics and aviation are headed in that direction. There’s a lot of conversation about the possibility of electric aircraft, but how viable is it with the current battery technology and materials we have?
What are some of the challenges (and opportunities) in transitioning to electric aviation? In this episode, co-founder and President of HOBI International, Craig Boswell talks about green energy, EVs, the limitations that make electric aircraft harder to achieve, and what the industry is doing about them.
The Holy Grail is a very safe battery with tremendous power density that’s also cheap. It’s buried somewhere out there, but we still haven’t found it. -Craig Boswell
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How to extend the life of existing technologies
What are some of the concerns and factors that we need to be aware of at the end of the life cycle of electronics? - How to manufacture with recyclability in mind
When it comes to batteries, how easy is it to create a circular economy? - The limitations of our current battery technology
What are the biggest hazards presented by batteries that power larger vehicles and aircraft?
Guest Bio
Craig Boswell is co-founder and President of HOBI International, Inc. In this capacity, Craig has been extensively involved in the design, development, and deployment of electronics demanufacturing and recycling techniques. Craig’s background includes nine years experience as an electrical engineer for Texas Instruments, Inc. As a member of Texas Instrument’s engineering staff, Craig managed electronics design projects and was extensively involved in development and deployment of electronics manufacturing techniques. Craig holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas. In addition to his managerial duties, Craig is HOBI’s chief industry consultant on demanufacturing, design for disassembly, and reverse logistics programs. Craig has published and presented numerous papers on the recycling of electronic products and the keys to designing more recyclable products.
For more information visit, https://hobi.com/, email cboswell@hobi.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.
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 26, 2023
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Whether you’re leading a business organization or a ready room, excellence in leadership leaves clues. There’s an unmistakable formula to becoming the kind of leader people would walk through fire with. It’s never about the title or the ego, it’s about cohesion and the willingness to sometimes take a follower role.
In this episode, I’m joined by my old friend and author of “Learn How to Lead to Win: 33 Powerful Stories and Leadership Lessons”, Mike Manazir. From flying F-14s to rising up to Two-Star Admiral, Mike has reached the pinnacle in every stage of his career, and today he shares powerful lessons from his journey.
An effective leader has to be willing to be a teammate, put the title aside and be a follower. -Mike Manazir
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What it takes to turn goals and even big dreams into a reality
How do you connect the dots between where you are now and the big vision you have for yourself? - The danger of leading with your title
Can you lead people effectively if you’re in it for yourself and not a team player? - How to bring the best out of the people you lead
Having high standards doesn’t mean we have to make the people we lead miserable. How do we balance expecting excellence with compassion?
Guest Bio
Mike Manazir is a graduate of Top Gun and commanded an F-14 squadron, the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, and a Carrier Strike Group. Mike retired as a Two-Star Admiral and is now an executive with a Fortune 100 aerospace and defense company. He is the author of the upcoming book, “Learn How to Lead to Win: 33 Powerful Stories and Leadership Lessons”. Mike mentors a leadership style based on heart and trust that champions inclusion. Mike believes if you have one or more people looking to you to show the way, you are a leader. He wants to help you be the best leader you can be so you can Lead to Win.
For more information about Mike’s book head to https://mikemanazir.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 19, 2023
Thursday Jan 19, 2023
Whether it’s a huge corporation, a small company or a news station, taking a struggling business from dead last to dominant is a unique, yet thrilling challenge for the right person.
When you’re brought in as the fix-it specialist, a lot needs to be done, from driving culture change to motivating your people. What are the most critical pieces of a successful turnaround? In this episode, I’m joined by former TV News Director, manager and author of political thriller novel, “Fake News”, Troy Wilson. We talk about his recipe for turnarounds and how to set an organization up for success.
As a turnaround artist, you need to have the courage to come in, confront the brutal facts and develop a strategy to put the television station back on the map. -Troy Wilson
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What it takes to shift a negative company culture
How do you change a culture where people feel demotivated and defeated? - The unique advantage of being a smaller ‘training ground’ type company
If your organization is the springboard for talent to go elsewhere, how do you deal with their tenure being really short? - The path to becoming a giant
In order to become number 1, we first have to be the next best thing. How do we position our organizations as a worthy alternative?
Guest Bio
Troy Wilson is a former TV News Director, manager and author of political thriller novel, “Fake News” He worked for more than thirty years in medium and small markets all across the country, and managed newsrooms which have won numerous awards and led and mentored hundreds of journalists. His success in doing that he believes is evidenced by their award-winning work, including Emmys, 'Best Newscast' honors, and individual awards. Troy even managed a newsroom which remains the smallest market newsroom ever to win a Polk Award for investigative journalism. But like many, he was dismayed by the direction journalism has taken in America. 'Fake News' is a novel that explores the contemporary media landscape in a unique way.
Buy the book here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL3WT22H) and email authortroywilson@gmail.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 12, 2023
Thursday Jan 12, 2023
If you ask most people what it takes to succeed, they’ll come up with an elaborate, overly complicated, multi-step formula, but that’s wholly unnecessary and even detrimental. All it really takes is executing a few simple concepts very well.
Think about Seven Nation Army - it’s basically 7 notes and a steady drum beat, but it works because it’s performed impeccably.
Our careers are exactly the same. A few essentials are enough to move the needle, and the more we perfect them, the better off we’ll be.
In this episode, we talk about the 3 simple levers to a Million Dollar Career.
The simple things in life, executed really well, will take people a long way. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Why text and email are for amateurs
Do we create unnecessary complexity by not doing the simple act of picking up the phone and calling someone? - The problem with having too many steps in your plan
What does Tom Brady teach us about the power of executing a few key things really well? - How to uncomplicate anything
How can we use the 5 Ws formula to make it easier to plan anything?
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 05, 2023
Thursday Jan 05, 2023
In many organizations, the gap between the generations is a point of conflict and friction but it doesn’t have to be.
Sure, millennials/Gen-Z see work differently to their older coworkers and superiors, but there’s a lot of value in the perspectives each generation have, and that can make for a more resilient organization.
How do we facilitate better communication and collaboration between the generations?
In this episode, executive and transition coach and change strategist, Julie Noonan talks about how leaders can eliminate generational friction and create harmony in the workforce.
Get rid of as many stereotypes as possible because as soon as you put someone in a box, you’ve limited their ability to shine, and that’s for anyone across the board regardless of generation. -Julie Noonan
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- How the conversation around work changed
Did covid actually accelerate generational harmony in the workplace? - Why younger employees aren’t interested in the corner office or titles
How has the younger generation redefined what the pinnacle of success looks like? - The power of two-way mentorship
There are tremendous opportunities for both generations to learn from each other, how can companies facilitate it?
Guest Bio
Julie is an executive and transition coach, change strategist and speaker helping mid- to late-career executive leaders successfully ride the waves of change. Julie has years of executive-level experience in consulting in both the private and public sectors, as well as years of experience as a corporate employee. She has spent her career coaching leaders at all levels in many industries and through many challenges – both professional and personal.
For more information, head to https://www.jnoonanconsulting.com/ and connect with her on LinkedIn.
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 22, 2022
Thursday Dec 22, 2022
Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has ignited much debate, discussion and in some cases, ire over how he’s gone about things. There’s no denying that he is the biggest creator of shareholder value in the history of man, and that he has the ability to make any company he touches great, but so many employees aren’t buying into his mission.
Could this breakdown be nothing more than a communication issue? If the message had come out a bit differently, would the takeover have gone more smoothly?
In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about why leaders have to be able to express what’s in it for the employee in order to get their buy-in.
Communicating the purpose of the business with employees isn’t an event, it’s a continuing process. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The hard truth about building a great company
Turning around a company is no easy feat - why do people in this situation need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable? - Why ‘keeping your job’ isn’t enough to get employee buy-in
How do companies get their employees to support the changes they are implementing to make the business more valuable? - How to make sure the company’s purpose is felt by everyone
It’s one thing to talk about the company’s purpose at the annual Christmas party, but how do we weave it into every aspect of the business?
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 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Turning around an ailing company is a challenge most people would run away from, but some executives are actually built for patching up the Titanic. The individuals who can thrive in this situation know how to embrace the chaos, roll up their sleeves and make the hard decisions that set the organization on the right course.
What traits does a turnaround CEO need to have?
In this episode, I’m joined by my producer, Matt Johnson to discuss the challenges and opportunities of being tasked with saving a sinking ship.
A turnaround specialist has to have a management style that gets people to rise to the occasion. -Craig Picken
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What we can learn from Elon Musk taking over Twitter
Turnaround CEOs are meant to step in, blow things up and build back better, but they don’t win popularity contests. How do they deal with the detractors? - Why some turnarounds fail
What are the 4 ingredients of a successful turnaround? - The best examples of turnaround specialists
How do you know that you have the temperament and skills to turn a struggling company around?
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 08, 2022
Thursday Dec 08, 2022
If you run a small business, M&As may not be something you pay attention to because they are happening at the big picture level, but they affect the entire landscape of the industry. Whether a company gets snapped up or spun off, these movements create a ripple effect throughout the marketplace.
Even if you’re a smaller operator, the strategic, technical and competitive impacts of company consolidations will be felt by everyone, and the more we keep abreast with it, the better off we’re going to be as leaders.
What purpose does M&A serve to the entire industry? If we’re entertaining merging or being acquired, how do we get things in order? In this episode, aerospace and defense M&A banker Bill Alderman returns to discuss the impact M&A has on the entire industry.
If you’re aware of what’s going on with M&A and the value of your company within its supply chain and customers, you can be a more competitive leader of your business. -Bill Alderman
Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- What M&A means for the industry
On a large-scale operational level does M&A really matter? - The political implications of M&A
At what size does an organization get so big it starts to get looked at more closely by the political sphere? - The truth about many major operators
Why are so many major OEMs struggling?
Guest Bio
William ‘Bill’ Alderman is the Founder and President of Alderman & Company who are aerospace and defense M&A bankers. Bill has always had a passion for aviation, and is both a commercial pilot and aircraft owner. Today, he uses his expertise, coupled with his interests to represent Middle Market Sellers in the Aerospace and Defense industry.
To find out more, go to:
https://aldermanco.com/
You can also call or text him on:
9144144070
Or email him at:
Learn More About Your Host:
Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.
Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.