The Aerospace Executive Podcast

There’s an acute talent shortage in aviation, and it’s not just being felt in flight departments. From pilots to maintenance and leaders, the industry is short-staffed, and solving this issue requires an all-in, concerted effort from all organizations and stakeholders. At the heart of our talent shortage is a crisis of leadership, and the hard truth that despite all it offers, aviation isn’t being viewed as an attractive career anymore. How do we show that aviation is a good industry to work in? What can we do to raise the leadership standard? In this episode, I’m joined by third-generation business aviation professional and career coach, Jenny Showalter. She shares what it takes to bring the best and brightest into aviation. We have an aviation talent shortage. We focus on the flight department roles, but it’s all throughout the industry. -Jenny Showalter Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Leadership or lack thereof There aren’t a lot of younger, fresh blood leaders coming into this industry. How do we bring more in or develop the professionals we already have? -Everyone should be concerned and involved There’s no blanket solution for the workforce shortage we have, but what could go a long way to remedy it? -Learning from the most effective flight departments What do the best organizations do differently? Guest Bio Jenny Showalter is a third-generation business aviation professional and career coach. As Chief Motivational Officer at SBACC, she brings over 25 years of business aviation experience to her role. This experience stems from working in her family’s former FBO, Showalter Flying Service (KORL), leading regional business aviation associations in Florida, and most recently recruiting business aviation talent for corporate flight departments. Pairing her work experience with her roles as the wife, daughter, and sister of business aviation pilots, Jenny feels she’s uniquely qualified to help you navigate your business aviation career. For more information, head to https://www.showalter.com/ or email [email protected]. 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.

With the supply chain still recovering from covid, turn time, parts availability and cost sensitivity are the paramount concerns for airlines and leasing companies. That means more organizations are willing to look to creative solutions for complex problems. And, this has created lucrative market opportunities. What is particularly fascinating is the team creating the solutions and capitalizing on opportunities; They’re young, aggressive, and willing to act fast in a very dynamic market. Listen to how FTAI Aviation runs a business that moves fast without being reckless. In this episode, SVP and head of CFM & Module Factory at FTAI Aviation, Sam Hammoud shares the company’s unique and impressive approach to the engine MRO. The CFM56 is such a simple engine in the sense that if you just gain an advantage, vertically integrate and do this right, you can make a very healthy business out of it. -Sam Hammoud Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Mitigating supply chain constraints Why overspend to overbuild when there’s a modular and used parts market to take advantage of? -Culture of execution How can a company move fast in their decision making; not in a reckless way but rather a thoughtful way? -An interesting balancing act What challenges are old guard OEMs facing? Guest Bio Sam Hammoud is an SVP and head of CFM & Module Factory at FTAI Aviation. He is a seasoned professional with broad-based experience in commercial, technical, and operational domains. Sam is adept at leading diverse teams to achieve strategic goals, capture new revenue, and deliver performance improvement. He has proven success in cultivating and growing strategic partnerships. For more information, head to https://www.ftaiaviation.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 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.

The frothiness of the covid market in business aviation may be in the rearview mirror, but that doesn’t mean the space has slowed down. We’ve certainly come down from the rabid highs, but we’re still hovering above pre-pandemic levels in terms of activity. From the Wheels Up/Delta deal to competition in big cabin jets and pilots, there’s a lot happening in the market. What does this activity tell us about the health of and outlook for business aviation? Can we expect more competition between manufacturers? In this episode, aviation industry strategist, Forbes contributor, and the founder of BRiFO, Brian Foley gives us an update on business aviation trends in 2023. Guest Bio Brian Foley is an aviation industry strategist, Forbes contributor, and the Founder of Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO). Foley formed the consultancy Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO) in 2006 to help aerospace firms and investors with strategic research and guidance. Previously he was Marketing Director at Dassault Falcon Jet for 20 years. His career began at Boeing as a flight test engineer and marketing manager. He serves the Transportation Research Board as a member of the business aviation and helicopter subcommittees. He earned a Series 7 General Securities Representative license and is an instrument-rated private pilot. As a Forbes.com contributor and AvBuyer Editor-Market Intelligence, thoughts are shared on the aviation segment. A dual BS degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from Seattle University are held. He completed Wharton’s Executive Education Program in Corporate Governance and is available for non-executive industry director roles. To find out more, visit https://www.brifo.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 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.

With even award-winning organizations coming up short in terms of employee happiness, is it possible that everything we think we know about leadership is way off base?   What makes the difference between a good working environment and a GREAT one? What can leaders do to create a better atmosphere, and how can employees play a role in effecting positive changes?    In this episode, CEO of Veritas Leadership Research & Consulting, Dr Steve Merrill shares the 4 pillars that need to be implemented in ANY business to ensure maximum results.  "The relationship of being able to speak up, knowing you won’t be whacked by your boss for asking a question, is so important. That’s what helps people stay in an organization longer." -Dr Steve Merrill   Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    How to lead effectively without getting mad at everything It can get frustrating when our teams make a mistake, but getting angry isn’t likely to solve anything. What should we be doing instead and what’s likely to happen when we make that shift?   The TRUE meaning of compassion in a business sense Does compassion mean avoiding hurting people’s feelings at all cost, or could giving our teams a reality check be the kindest action?   How to stop letting our egos run our organizations As leaders, we tend to think we need to have all the answers, but could that be doing more harm than good?    Why we need to re-think trust and micromanagement If you're doing your employee’s jobs, who’s doing the CEO job?   Guest Bio   Dr Steve Merrill is the CEO and Owner of Veritas Leadership Research & Consulting. The holder of a Doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership from Argosy University, Steve has long had a passion for leadership and, more specifically, good leadership. Prior to founding Veritas Leadership Research & Consulting, he served as an Adjunct Professor and Student Success Director at Argosy University. Steve is the Vice President of Exclusive Cleaning, Inc.   To find out more, go to: https://www.vlrc1.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevensmerrill   You can also email him at  [email protected]   Or call or text him on 3855494148.   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.

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.

The traditional career is dead. Instead of climbing the resume ladder, many people are waking up to possibilities outside the cubicle or corner office. We don’t live in an age where people stick with one career for decades. One person can have multiple iterations of their career, but it takes courage to make the leap. How do you decide what your true calling is? How do you pivot before your job sucks the life out of you? In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we discuss an interesting WSJ article, and the new reality of careers. People allow themselves to get stuck in a cubicle and they get the life sucked out of them and then they don’t know how to pivot. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - The courage to reject status What holds people back from leaving the comfy corner office even when it makes them miserable? - Getting fired might be the best thing to happen to you What triggers the great awakening that gets people to go after what they really want? - The trap too many people fall into A counter offer might just be a one-way ticket to nowhere-ville, how do we avoid taking the bait? Read the full article here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-rules-of-success-in-a-post-career-world-3e54b343 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.

Leading an aircraft carrier with a 5,000 person crew is like running an entire city. The flight deck is dangerous, the number of moving parts is countless, the stakes are high. and the magnitude of responsibility is unparalleled. How do you deal with all this and still manage to be an approachable leader with the respect and loyalty of your crew? Why is delegation THE key to success? In this episode, I’m joined by retired Navy captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Brett Crozier. He talks about his incredible career, his philosophy on leadership and what any leader can learn from running an aircraft carrier. Never overreact. The truth is always in the third report. -Brett Crozier Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - The curse of the founder: Delegation is key to leadership efficiency, but why do so many leaders struggle to offload certain responsibilities? - How to be an approachable leader: The temperament of a leader has a huge effect on the culture, how do we keep our emotions in check? - The right way to process information: We live in a world of unfiltered information and rushes to judgment. How do we manage this as leaders? Guest Bio Brett Elliott Crozier is a retired US Navy captain and the author of “Surf When You Can: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain”. He embarked on a thirty-year career in the Navy, flying dozens of combat missions over Iraq and leading at the highest levels of operational command. He served as the commanding officer of a combat F/A-18 strike fighter squadron, the world’s largest and most advanced communications ship, and ultimately the USS Theodore Roosevelt before retiring from the Navy in 2022. Pre-order your copy of the book here. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Data, data, and more data. The issue isn’t a lack of data but the inability to use it effectively. It could be a challenge of interoperability, formatting or turning the data into motivation across the organization. The truth is: there’s a real art to utilizing the intelligence a business already has. What can we do to organize scattered data? How do you use data to not just learn, but to motivate different areas of the business? In this episode, I’m joined by the CEO of Nowsight™, Michael Schader. We talk about the biggest challenges businesses face in collecting, assessing and leveraging all the data flowing through the organization. It’s answering the right questions with the right data and providing those answers with the right visualization. -Michael Schader Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - The real challenge in business intelligence Are companies in need of more data or are they unable to use what they already have? - Why data gathering has to go deeper than the basics What are the critical stats leaders worry about and how can they easily access that data? - Data-driven or emotion-driven How do most leaders currently make decisions? Guest Bio Michael Schader is a highly sought-after software architect, who brings a unique, elegant approach to solving complex business problems. His company, Nowsight™ stitches together company data-sources to create a real-time, always-on view of the company that you can access 24/7/365. For more information, head to https://nowsight.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.

The NFL draft is the greatest talent-hunting mission on display, and it’s a master class in excellence, business, recruiting, and people development. Millions of kids play high school football. In college that number precipitously drops to 96,000 and at the professional level that drops further to 1,600. That exponential leap in caliber raises the game, and only the exceptional can make it. What parallels can we draw in the business world? What makes the superstars so special? In this episode, we talk about why The Draft is such a great learning tool for leaders and employees alike. Millions of kids play high school football. In college, that number precipitously drops to 96,000. In the NFL, it drops to 1,600. The caliber is an exponential leap. -Craig Picken Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - Drafting on potential vs. drafting on experience: How do we determine the kind of player that will fit our teams well? - The worst draft picks: There’s no force as disruptive as an un-coachable player. How do we avoid them? - It all comes down to “do you your job”: Talent alone doesn’t make a great player. Why is EQ so important? - Put more plays in your playbook: You never know what’s out there that’s going to kill you unless you’re looking out for it. How do you keep your head on a swivel? 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.

It’s an exciting time to be in the business of aviation. The industry finds itself at the confluence of exciting and game-changing technologies and innovations. The advancement of electric propulsion, the evolution of eVtol, and the massive increase in computing power. All these changes are creating a leap forward akin to the revolutionary jump from analog to digital. How will all these advancements change aviation as we know it for the next 10-20 years? In this episode, President and CEO of Aspen Avionics and COO of The AIRO Group, John Uczekaj shares what he’s excited about in aviation, and what the future holds for the business. We want to merge smaller companies and provide enough mass to be competitive with larger companies, while still retaining the small company innovation, entrepreneurship, and nimbleness. -John Uczekaj Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - Upgrade the cockpit How will technology make the process of flying safer, more efficient, and equipped for the future? - Drones and evTol, the new frontier for aviation What changes will electric mobility introduce in both logistics and passenger movement? - Huge developments, all at once What are all the forces coming together to create a huge shift in aviation? Guest Bio John Uczekaj is the President and CEO of Aspen Avionics and COO of The AIRO Group. has over 35 years of experience in the avionics industry, starting as an engineer at Boeing and moving into key management positions at Sperry and Honeywell. Before his position as COO at The AIRO Group, John led Aspen Avionics as CEO for 15 years and has grown the company into one of the leading avionics manufacturers in general aviation. Immediately before joining Aspen, John was president and COO of The NORDAM Group. John received the Aviation Industry Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 from the Living Legends of Aviation and was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation in 2013. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Mr. Uczekaj holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University and an MBA from City University, Seattle, Washington. John is an instrument-rated private pilot. Head to https://theairogroup.com/ for more information. 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.

The charter space is a high-touch, high-trust business with a lot of moving parts, especially when you’re dealing with the political elite. They aren’t just after a great experience, considerations like security have to be made too. What are charter businesses doing to stay on the leading edge? How do they ensure the highest level of service, care, convenience, and safety? In this episode, I’m joined by the founder and CEO of Advanced Aviation Team, Gregg Brunson-Pitts. He talks about his experience working at the White House and how his team handles the demands of such a high-pressure business. Our clients come to us for an experience, not just a plane and a crew. -Gregg Brunson-Pitts Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - Managing chaos What did Gregg learn from handling travel for presidents and political campaigns? - The importance of operational security With everything happening in the world, what security issues do charter businesses and clients need to be thinking about? - The future of charter businesses Can we expect more consolidations of charter companies? Guest Bio Gregg Brunson-Pitts is the founder and CEO of Advanced Aviation Team. He has been managing safe and cost-effective charter aircraft solutions for candidates, campaigns, national leaders, heads of state, and government agencies for 15 years. Gregg’s experience with chartering aircraft spans every state in the US, more than 40 countries, and 6 continents. Whether it is a small aircraft for a few passengers or a large airliner for a few hundred, Gregg upholds his reputation for attention to detail, passion for his work, and superior dedication to his clients. For more information, visit https://advancedaviationteam.com/. You can also send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]. 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.

When it comes to finding and bringing on superstar talent, some companies just can’t get out of their own way. They don’t do enough to make themselves a destination for the best of the best. They don’t offer enough value to stand out in the marketplace and they look for candidates in all the wrong places. How do you shift your recruiting strategy? How do you open up your aperture when it comes to finding talent? In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about what keeps superstars out of the reach of many businesses. Stop focusing on money, start focusing on creating a destination. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - How to get employers immersed in your business Offering money isn’t good enough to get and keep the best people. What do we need to provide? - Don’t create a game of musical chairs Why do many organizations end up with a revolving door of employees? - Think beyond the job spec Some of the most talented people don’t necessarily fit into the description of the job on offer. Why do we have to look past that for the right people? 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.

Commercial Airlines in the United States have achieved an amazing accomplishment– 10 years without a major mishap. This is an enviable safety record that is a direct result of professionalism and industry improvements made through the years. Resting on our laurels, however, is not an option. How do we maintain this stellar record despite massive industry changes? In this episode, I’m joined by former VP of Flight Ops for Southwest Airlines, Bob Waltz shares what’s behind the improvement of safety and how to keep it that way going forward. How we’re training pilots is better than it was even a couple of years ago. -Bob Waltz Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - How to set pilots up for safety: With rampant pilot hiring what training gaps needed to be closed? - Solving the pilot shortfall: Would it be wise to reduce the 1500 hour rule? - Why the human-machine interface is still needed: As aircraft become more complicated, how do we make sure pilots are familiar with the basics? Guest Bio Bob is the former VP of Flight Ops for Southwest Airlines. At the core of his experience is leadership in the operational and training arenas of aviation, both in the military and the civilian sectors--but his interests are wider than commercial aviation alone. He enjoys helping others see the value of Safety Management Systems and continuous improvement and bringing these concepts to life in their enterprise. Bob’s skill set translates well across other industries and areas of focus, from unmanned systems to space to formal education and educational administration to venture capital start-ups. His background was forged while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, leading crews flying combat/combat support sorties in the Middle East and the Balkans, serving at the national level as the head of a recruiting team delivering educational opportunities to the widest audience, and guiding a multi-billion dollar OPEX and multi-million dollar CAPEX team of 10,500 folks through the pandemic while completing his Ph.D. in Aerospace Science / Safety Management Systems. For more information, head to https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-waltz-1829a51b/. 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 pilot shortage might feel like a relatively recent thing, but it has been decades in the making. The foundation had been buckling for a long time and now we’re in full-on free fall, which is being reflected in the salaries and contracts we’re seeing today. Will this be the new normal going forward? In order to solve this issue, the whole industry has to present a united front to create a solid pipeline of talent. The companies that refuse to pay competitively will suffer accordingly. In this episode, I’m joined by speaker, author and CEO of The AirComp Calculator, Chris Broyhill. We discuss the roots of the pilot shortage and how it can be rectified. OEMs have a dog in the compensation fight whether they know it or not. They have to lead by example. -Chris Broyhill Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - The pilot pipeline crisis Why is the barrier of entry for pilots so much higher than it was in the 1980s? - Why so many companies suffer Pilots are expensive to replace, how do we avoid losing them? - OEMs have a dog in the compensation fight How can the entire industry make a push towards retaining talent? Guest Bio Chris Broyhill is a speaker, author and recognized business aviation industry authority on compensation, personnel retention, leadership, and organizational culture. He is the inventor and CEO of The AirComp Calculator. The AirComp Calculator™ is business aviation’s only online compensation analysis system. It can provide precise compensation ranges for 14 business aviation positions in six aircraft classes at over 50 locations throughout the United States in seconds. For more information, head to https://aircompcalculator.com/ or send an email to [email protected]. 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.

Stories about the collapse of banks rightfully spook investors in a variety of industries, but things aren’t quite as dire as they are made out to be. Collapses make for great news stories, but if we really look at what’s happening in the aerospace and defense market, there’s no real cause for media panic. Why is A&D in what my guest calls “A Goldilocks Place” right now? How do we separate media-fueled panic from what’s actually happening? In this episode, aerospace and defense M&A banker and Founder and President of Alderman & Company, Bill Alderman returns to share how the “credit scare” is affecting A&D. People are going to use the news any way they can to get a better deal. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - Why aerospace and defense are in a really great place right now It’s very rare for both A & D to be having a good run. Why are they thriving? - How aerospace and defense have been affected by the “capital scare” With inflation and everything else going on, is this a great time to sell your aerospace and defense business? - Strategic buyers are keeping the market honest Are financial buyers taking advantage of the situation to try and get a better deal? 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: [email protected] 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.

Reinventing your career is something just about everyone will have to do at some point, but what about companies? Can a company that was headed in one direction shift its entire trajectory? The short answer: yes. With thought and intention a company can change its culture, realign their hiring practices and do what it takes to grow. The only thing is, the leaders have to adapt a specific mindset to successfully do this. In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we discuss what it takes to transform a company. It’s about active listening and then coming up with benchmarks and actions that are mutually agreed upon between staff and management. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - Why great organizations lose great people Really good people get pigeonholed because they are good at their jobs, how do you provide growth opportunities? - The mark of great management Many leaders say they listen to their people, but it’s really in one ear and out the other. How do you really start taking in what they say and taking action on it? - When companies say “we can’t find the right people”.. Is the problem the talent in the market or something in the company's practices? 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.

With interest rates, inflation and the running businesses in the post-covid era, leaders are being hit by challenges from all directions. The problem is: if we’re orienting towards everything that’s happening as temporary, we’re not helping ourselves or our businesses. If we try to carbon copy the way we operated before to now, we’ll stagnate. If we choose to go back to basics and reorient ourselves to this new North Star, we’ll accelerate our organizations. How do we raise the quality of our decision making? What do great leaders bring to the table? In this episode, executive coach and facilitator, Miriam Meima shares her observations on leadership today. The companies who are not trying to carbon copy the way they operated before and are more willing to reinvent from building blocks are the companies that have accelerated. -Miriam Meima Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - Advice for the accidental leader When the leadership mantle is thrust upon you, how do you find your feet and thrive? - How to lead for today, not yesteryear How have the last few years impacted the collective decision making of teams? - The truth about ‘hit the ground running’, ‘sink or swim’ culture What does it take to set an employee up for success? Guest Bio Miriam Meima has been a Coach & Facilitator for over twenty years. She has closely studied the overlap between business and psychology in effort to learn how to support her clients in finding simple ways to be authentic and effective simultaneously. Miriam has coached founders/executives and supported leadership development strategies at Slack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Hims & Hers, Glassdoor, Glossier and 100s of start-ups of all sizes across industries and regions. She has worked closely with the thought leaders studying the link between culture and bottom-line success. Miriam has a unique ability to understand an entire system and how to most effectively influence change, taking into consideration the infinite complexity of the individual, company and current market conditions. She is well known for her success with cultural change and often speaks on the topic of “How to Preserve your Culture While You Scale.” Miriam’s credentials include an MA in Organizational & Management Development, a BA in Business & Psychology. She is a Master Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, a Fellow at the Harvard Institute of Coaching and a member of Forbes Coaches Council. Her work exists in the sweet spot blending left-brain research and right-brain creativity. For more information, connect with Miriam 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.

Most organizations don’t put enough time into the culture and mindset that makes them a great place to work and they miss out on talent because of it. It’s one thing to post a job and wait for applicants to start rolling in. It’s another thing to proactively make your company a destination - a place people would beat down doors to join. Maybe it’s HR laziness or an inability to determine your company’s true value proposition, but ultimately, if you’re not thinking about what your company brings to the marketplace, you’re in trouble. In this edition of Million Dollar Careers, we explore how to make your company stand above the rest when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. If you’re really good and you can take a company, P&L or territory to new heights, you take the base salary for you to live on and then you work for the upside which you can thrive on. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -How to establish your company as an elite workplace What would make someone want to relocate and move to your company? -How to make joining your company a no-brainer If salary isn’t enough to compel the best people to join your company, what are they looking for? -What special force operations teach us about attraction and retention A lot of military operations aren’t lacking in ambitious people eager to join, what’s their secret? 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.

We’ve all heard about the massive lay-offs at Google and Facebook, but what you probably haven’t heard is how quickly those employees were able to find new jobs. It just goes to show that when it comes to high quality talent, the power isn’t on the employer’s side. Many companies are still working off old data, putting them at a great disadvantage in terms of finding talent. When it comes to getting the best people, we can’t get away with paying them less in this market. How do we make sure our pay packages are meeting the demands of the market? In this episode, we talk about what most employers are getting wrong about this job market. If your company has limited resources, what can we do in lieu of cash to make someone happy? It always comes down to equity - make someone an owner. Align their goals with yours. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Why small companies are winning Most people are afraid of going to small companies, but could they be the best place to work in turbulent times? -Pay a valuable people more than you’re comfortable with How do we design pay packages that reflect the demands of the market? -The power of giving A+ talent equity How do we sweeten a package when you have limited resources? 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.

After the Eagles’ Super Bowl defeat, Jalen Hurts said, ‘you either win or you learn’, and it’s true. Losses and setbacks are the biggest teachers in life, but what if we could learn while we’re winning? Learning doesn’t have to be punitive, it can be something we do proactively. What if we didn’t get too comfortable and complacent when we’re succeeding, so that we get ahead of failure? In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about how to learn while you’re succeeding so you don’t have to learn when things go wrong. You can win and learn at the same time. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - Learning doesn’t have to be punitive What’s the biggest misconception about learning? -Even if you won the game, you still watch the tape on Tuesday Instead of resting on our laurels, how do we stay hungry and on our toes when things are going well? - From self-awareness to self-actualization Can you move towards something and live in the moment at the same time? 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.

Once upon a time in aviation and defense, tier 1 operators held all the cards and led all the innovation. Now the days of “you need us more than we need you” are squarely in the rearview mirror and smaller operators have a lot more power than they ever did before. In a supply-constrained environment, the big operators rely on every single deliverable from small operators to keep their lines afloat. In terms of innovation, it's no longer the Boeings, Airbuses, and big OEMs leading in the adoption of new technologies. What does this mean for the future of the whole industry? Could this lead to disruption? In this episode, Executive Business Editor at Aviation Week Network, Michael Bruno returns, and we discuss what’s going on in aviation and defense and the innovation storm headed our way. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity for suppliers to grow and really shine in a supply constrained environment. -Michael Bruno Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode - The shift in aviation power dynamics In such a supply chain constrained environment, do the tier-1 operators need the smaller guys more than they need them? - Business aviation, from zombie industry to profitable powerhouse Have the last few years brought many ailing sectors back from the brink? - Getting Boeing back on track There’s no way Boeing will emerge from this decade the same, what can we expect to change? Guest Bio Michael Bruno is the Executive Business Editor at Aviation Week Network. A recipient of the Jesse H. Neal award, known as the 'Pulitzer Prize of business media', Michael covers aviation, aerospace, and defense businesses, their supply chains, and related topics. Before joining Aviation Week, Michael was a staff writer for the Washington Post and Bloomberg NBA. To find out more, head to: https://aviationweek.com/author/michael-bruno# https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bruno-469658a 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.

Entrepreneurial individuals and salary-focused people aren’t built the same. This is a lesson smaller organizations learn the hard way when they bring on a leader who has a large corporate mentality. The two types of business mentality don’t gel, and forcing a bureaucratic leadership style on an entrepreneurial organization can tank the business faster than any market downturn. In this episode, we share why a salaried employee mindset will never, ever work in a “tugboat” environment. Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -The big challenge private equity firms and startups are facing A big company mentality won’t work in an entrepreneurial environment, why are the two such a poor fit for each other? -What all entrepreneurs have in common Can someone who’s used to the safety and certainty of a high salary ever take on the risk-tolerance of an entrepreneur? -How small businesses become successful What does it take to build and grow a company from the ground up? 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.

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.

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.

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 [email protected] 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.

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.

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 [email protected]. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: [email protected] 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.

When people think of what motivates a person to quit their job, money is the first thing that comes to mind, but very often it’s not even at the top of the list. The reasons people leave an organization go far deeper than monetary gain, there’s usually a lot more they aren’t getting from their company. In fact, we can attribute a career move to 6 reasons. Identifying these reasons as leaders helps us improve our culture so we can keep the best people on our teams. In this edition of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about retention and what makes people leave. If you’re exchanging a known for an unknown, there better be a good reason, and it can’t just be money. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why money isn’t the key driver for a change Moving jobs is a highly stressful process, what makes someone willing to go through all that? How to keep employee boredom at bay How do you keep the A players who need to constantly be challenged engaged? Why leaders have to create security for their people Is high staff turnover due to companies actually quitting on their people? 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.

For how much time we spend on our phones, it’s astonishing how afraid people are of picking up the phone and just having a conversation. Progress is made and things come together in conversations that can’t be had via text and email. Trying to force all communication through text and emails has led to passive aggressive texts, angry emails and other totally avoidable confrontations. Why are we so afraid of getting on the phone? What are the only acceptable uses of email and text? In this episode, I’m joined by my producer Matt Johnson for this edition of Million Dollar Careers. We’re talking about why we need to get over the reluctance to pick the phone. No angry customer was ever made happy via email. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why delaying bad news is such a fruitless exercise Are we avoiding tough conversations by communicating via text or delaying and aggravating the inevitable? How to dissolve a tense situation and avoid a nasty confrontation What causes our fear of the phone in the first place? The ONLY times text and email are appropriate If you’re on the receiving end of passive aggressive text or email, how do we deal with it? Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft 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.

In nature, the rule of balance reigns supreme - things will always return to an equilibrium, no matter what. In finance, reverting to the mean is a certainty, a swinging pendulum will always return to center. The employment market is no different - right now everything is irrational, and it’s driving everything from jet pricing to salaries, but eventually the music will stop. The challenge is keeping your business stable while things rebalance and still being able to play the game at a really high level on handicap mode. How do you retain the best people when you can’t afford the crazy salaries being driven by this market? In this episode, we talk about the challenges in today’s job market and how to deal with them. This labor shortage isn’t temporary - it’s structural, it’s demographic and it isn’t going away. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The truth every company must grapple with Are your expectations realistic for the long-term or are you just making decisions on the sugar high of an irrational market? Why the pressures on the job market persist Will the employment market ever return to the normal we knew before, or will it readjust to a whole new normal? How to eliminate barriers to success on your team If it’s hard to find talent, how do you make your existing talent more productive? 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.

Resilience and determination are highly sought after traits, and sometimes that’s what it takes to stay in a challenging job or career. But when the environment becomes too difficult or toxic, we just have to cut our losses and quit. But how do we know if we've reached the end of the line with our jobs? What can we do to prepare before throwing in the towel? In this episode of the Million Dollar Career Series, Robert Houghton and I discuss knowing when to fold 'em. If you’re thinking about folding, understand what it is that you’re looking for. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to identify a toxic job situation What can you do to prepare for when you have to quit? Why you have to know why you’re quitting How can we avoid contagious quitting? How having an outside advisor can help you Why do we need the insight of someone else to know if we’re making the right move? 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.

It’s really easy to wreck a great career when you make decisions based on emotions and take action with no real vision, and unfortunately, we’re seeing a lot of that right now. There are many people making career moves for the sake of it instead of taking a rational approach to make sure the job actually serves them long term. Just like planes, your career needs a flight plan, measurable milestones and a realistic endpoint. How do we simplify the decision making process? In this edition of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about the importance of starting with the end in mind. Before you quit your job and trade a known for an unknown, make sure you know what the end is. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The cost of jumping ship without thinking it through Why are many of the people quitting their jobs doomed to end up frustrated again? Why vision and self-realization are so important Are you on the path that leads you to your desired end point? If not, how do you change that? Emotional moves vs. rational decisions How do you take a measured and vision-informed approach to mapping out your career? 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.

There’s a lot of passive aggressive behavior in the working world right now, and doing the bare minimum isn’t just something employees do - companies do it too. Quiet firing is the practice of slowly freezing out an employee hoping they self-select out, instead of just facing the issues head-on. It’s dishonest, unproductive and wholly unnecessary and entirely avoidable. How can you tell you’re being quietly pushed out? How can organizations refrain from quiet firing? In this edition of Million Dollar Careers, we dig into quiet firing and why it’s such a bad practice. Hiring authorities and supervisors really owe it to themselves, their company, and the individual candidates to confront the issue. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode What to be on the lookout for From demotions to reassignments, quiet firing takes on many forms. What are the subtle signs? The people who’ll never get quietly fired Can you take corrective action when you realize you’re being quietly fired? Why quiet firing is the action of a cowardly leader If an employer isn’t happy with an employee’s performance, why is it so critical to cut the BS and just let them go? 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.

Even the most talented and driven people can find themselves feeling stuck in their careers, dealing with job circumstances that suck the life out of them. From working with quiet quitters, to feeling like you’ve hit the ceiling in the organization or your capabilities not being noticed, how do you get unstuck? What actions can you take to keep expanding and building up your profile? In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about navigating some of the common issues people face in their careers today. Curiosity and questions will get you a lot further than confidence and answers. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to become the smartest person in the room Why is curiosity such a critical character trait of people with million dollar careers? The power of a quiet hiring initiative Do companies rob themselves of valuable talent by favoring external hires over the ferocious players within the organization with the potential to become superstars? The smartest way to flex your expertise How do you show your network that you have the mental capacity needed to excel? 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.

The foundation of a million dollar career is your ability to be so valuable and knowledgeable that people need you more than you need them. You don’t have to be the CEO to have this advantage - you just need to master your craft, show that you’re an asset and position yourself strategically to use your voice when it matters. In this edition of the Million Dollar Careers, Rob Houghton and I discuss how to become THE guy or gal in the organization, and how it supercharges your career. You want to be the expert, you want to be the person people come to when they need something, and that’s where you get your freedom. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The power of thinking differently Being willing to go against the grain and “red team” is highly valuable, but how do you do it without upsetting the team dynamic? How to build up your mental acuity Making great decisions is key to a successful career, but how do we build that skill? How to become an indispensable resource How do you find and own a valuable corner to dominate in your industry or company? 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.

As the aerospace industry emerges from the last kicks of covid, mergers and acquisitions are a great barometer of the new developments, the big market needs and the concerns of both buyers and sellers. Even though there’s still a little caution in the air, many corners in the industry are poised to make major moves going forward. Where are big firms looking to participate right now? How can buyers and sellers approach the deal so everyone wins? In this episode, managing partner of Coeptis Consulting Group, Chuck Adams, shares what’s happening in M&A and what we can expect over the next couple of years. There’s uncertainty around the economy, but there are still some good solid deals going on. -Chuck Adams Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why the frenzy died down in multiples Are we seeing a compression of multiples caused by covid, and when can we expect them to pick back up? How to tap into a global market What kind of opportunities are emerging markets creating for aerospace operators? What’s driving open operators to sell How should buyers approach the owner operators who are selling a business that’s really close to their heart? 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. 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.

The pandemic created a unique set of circumstances for private aviation; an alignment between the forced adoption of technology and the emergence of a new type of consumer has given the sector an incredible boost in demand and volume. A monumentally entrepreneurial organization like Sentient Jet is primed for this private aviation gold rush, and on the forefront of evangelizing the sector. What are some of the pieces they are lining up to continue expanding market share? How is tech fueling their organizations growth? In this episode, President and CEO of Sentient Jet, Andrew Collins shares why the last few years have been so fruitful for private aviation and what the company aims to accomplish. We’re trying to remove as much friction as we can from private aviation and generate the most positive experience. -Andrew Collins Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The truth about market rationalized pricing Is the idea of the democratization of business aviation an unrealistic oxymoron? Why Sentient Jet is investing in eVTOL Can aviation create a frictionless and convenient way to do short distances? The rise of a new customer How has this post-pandemic era impacted what business aviation customers expect? Sentient Jet’s main focus How can the private aviation industry improve the experience for a growing customer base? Guest Bio Andrew Collins is the President and CEO of Sentient Jet, he is responsible for a $450 million consumer travel and aviation business that has rapidly flourished over the last six years. Under his leadership the company has benefited from both a digital and business model transformation, in addition to an organizational restructuring. This includes setting market, product, and brand strategy, integrating a full suite of retail and wholesale technology applications, tripling sales, optimizing client acquisitions costs, and significantly moving top-line revenues, while also evolving Sentient into an EBITDA-positive entity. In addition to running Sentient Jet, Collins is a lead executive at parent company OneSky where he is focused on M&A, operations, and revenue management activities. In 2021 Collins led the acquisition of Halo Aviation in London and integrated the company with Associated Aircraft Group (recently acquired from Sikorsky Lockheed Martin) in NYC to form OneSky’s Vertical Lift division, creating a global fleet of 24 helicopters and a platform for the future of flight. Inclusive with this effort was an order for 200 eVTOL (electric vertical take off and landing) vehicles from Embraer’s EVE. To find out more, go to https://sentient.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 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.

In a post-pandemic world of work, the frustrations and concerns that led to The Great Resignation have morphed into a more passive aggressive trend. Quiet quitting has emerged as the way unhappy employees express their job dissatisfaction, but does it actually do more harm to the worker than the employer? In this episode of Million Dollar Careers, we’re going to talk about why quiet quitting destroys your own career, and the more productive way to deal with any career frustrations. Setting boundaries is the alternative to quiet quitting. -Rob Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why hard work doesn’t have to come at the expense of our personal lives How can we give 110% at work without burning ourselves out? Why the solution is often setting better boundaries Quiet quitting is often driven by well-founded concerns about the job. How do we communicate how we truly feel instead of being passive aggressive? The importance of mentorship If you can’t afford a coach, how can you still get the guidance of an expert in your corner? 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.

Big ships and tugboats are entirely different machines, and the captains who steer them serve very different roles. This rule shows up in our careers - it’s hard for someone who thrives in a start-up to excel in a large corporation, and the people who are great in corporate would struggle in a more entrepreneurial environment. There’s nothing wrong with either path, but the key is knowing yourself and placing yourself in the right environment. What are the key differences between corporate-oriented people and those more suited to startups? In today’s edition of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about the Tugboat Theory and how to use it to get the most out of your career. Everybody brings skills to the table, you’ve got to know where you sit. If you’re a small company person at heart, don’t go looking for jobs at big companies. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The root of career friction Why do many entrepreneurial people drown in the corporate world? Why you don’t have to bite off more than you can chew Can you set up your career path in such a way that you get the best of both worlds? Why startups offer an amazing opportunity How can a corporate worker make the switch to a startup and what makes it such a great move? 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.

In football, throwing a red flag allows a coach to contest the ref’s decision. It installs an extra layer of accountability and fairness. In military operations, we red team our strategies to identify weaknesses that can be improved upon. Corporate organizations and businesses can benefit from the same approach. Having someone on the team who can interrogate a decision or call BS on a potential move, makes the business stronger. How does this show up in companies? Who are the people we should really be listening to before we proceed on a plan? In this episode of the Million Dollar careers series, we talk about the power of a red team strategy. "Throwing a red flag provides outside input, accountability, empowerment, and it can help you avoid a lot of bad decisions." -Robert Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why accountability improves a business Does throwing the red flag subconsciously make everyone better at their jobs? The importance of having a frenemy in the business Some people find finance roles like accountants and auditors annoying, but why are they so critical to our success? How to red team our own lives What’s one simple thing we can do to keep ourselves from making bad decisions? 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.

Most resumes, even the ones with the most impressive accomplishments, are nothing more than a list of boring bullet points. If you’re trying to get a great job with a profile that’s devoid of personality and storytelling, it’s going to be really hard to stand out. Everyone has an incredible story to tell about their lives and careers, the more we tell them, the more people want to bring us into their worlds. In this episode of the Million Dollar Careers series, Robert Houghton and I talk about what the history of America teaches us about storytelling. When you’re doing a resume, you’re telling your story and the story has to be informative, inspiring and it has to be entertaining. If it’s just a bunch of bullet points, no one will read it. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why we have to create career vignettes How do you transform an accomplishment on your resume into a mini story? How to balance humility with pride Can we talk about our proudest accomplishments without coming off braggy and arrogant? A storytelling lesson from Bill Gates How did the founder of Microsoft use mosquitoes to tell a memorable story? 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.

Recruiting the next generation of professionals is a big concern for the aviation industry. It is now mandatory that aviation companies, large and small, to paint a clear picture of attractive career opportunities. How can the industry accomplish this? Andy Priester, Chairman and CEO of the world's largest and oldest family-owned Management and Charter company talks about navigating challenges surrounding recruitment, how to attract the right team members and make team members feel more valued. The more we’re connected, the more job satisfaction our team members can get. - Andy Priester Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to make your company an employer of choice What are the different ways to make your team members feel more valued? How aviation companies can attract top pilot talent How can we project an image of career consistency that is attractive to pilots? How to hire the right team members What qualities should you look for when hiring applicants? Guest Bio- Andy Priester serves as Priester Aviation’s Chairman and CEO. He is the third generation of Priesters to lead the business, the world's largest and oldest family-owned Management and Charter company. The Priester family has a rich aviation history starting in 1945, including owning Palwaukee Airport – KPWK (now renamed Chicago Executive Airport), operating a flight school, operating multiple FBOs, providing 145 maintenance services, and operating an aircraft sales division. During Andy’s tenure at Priester, he has grown the fleet from seven to over 65 aircraft they manage from 15 bases globally today. Andy currently sits on the board of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, is current Chair of YPO Chicago – Windy City, and is past Chair of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). Andy is a proud University of Dayton Flyer and holds a Master’s degree from Concordia University. To find out more, go to: https://www.priesterav.com/about-us/priester-team/. You can also email Andy directly at [email protected] or call his office at 847-537-1133. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

One of the fastest ways to tank a career with a lot of potential is to be the guy or gal known for gossiping, whining and loudly airing discontent. It drags down the morale of the whole office and you become a cancer the company desperately wants to cut out. Instead of being the resident naysayer on the team, how do we show up ready to pull our weight and get the job done with minimal grumbling? In this episode, Robert Houghton returns for our Million Dollar Careers series. Today, we talk about the danger of being the negative person in the office. "If you take someone who is gossiping, whining and complaining - the opposite is someone who makes a mistake and extremely owns what they do, they are accountable. Those are the leaders a company needs." -Robert Houghton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The other side of gossiping and complaining What can we learn from a gas station attendant’s act of extreme ownership? What rudderless companies have in common If a company is failing to weed out the gossipers and complainers, what does it say about the organization? How to increase your chance of promotion Could refusing to show up to the office be keeping you from the promotion you want? Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Over the last few years, what people expect from an employer-employee relationship has shifted significantly, and leaders have to keep up. The days of the traditional clock-in-clock-out, 9-5 job are over. People want real meaning, equity and trust out their companies. How do we progress towards happier workplaces? What are the employees of today seeking from their leaders, and how do so many companies get it wrong? In this episode, solopreneur, strategy consultant, speaker, trainer and author of “The Lovable Leader”, Jeff Gibbard joins me for a great conversation on becoming a leader people will happily follow. Leaders underestimate how simple it is to make progress toward better. To move towards environments where more people are happy requires small shifts. -Jeff Gibbard Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why trust is key to a great employer-employee relationship Why does micromanaging say a lot more about the leader than it does the employee? How to deal with activist employees What's at the root of the employer vs. employee friction we see in so many organizations? Why a leader’s first month is mission-critical to their success in the role If the first month of leading a team is rough does that mean it’s the wrong fit? Guest Bio Jeff Gibbard is a solopreneur, strategy consultant, speaker, trainer and author of The Lovable Leader. Commonly known as the World's Most Handsome Strategist and Professional Speaker. Jeff has noticed that our culture of work glorifies profits over people, burnout over quality of life, and dominance over autonomy. He believes that we can no longer pretend that our work is separate from who we are. Our work is a part of who we are. What we do and how we do it, should be in alignment with who we want to be. For more information and to sign up for Jeff’s newsletter, visit https://jgibbard.com/ and buy his book “The Lovable Leader: Build Great Teams with Trust, Respect, and Kindness” here. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Over the last 2 decades, the needs of veterans have come into the spotlight more than ever before, and there’s still a huge need to understand the challenges that come with military service. How do we make the transition out of service less difficult? What can civilians and the private sector do to better support the men and women who have served our country? In this episode, Fighter Pilot, Military and Veteran Advocate, Consultant, Speaker, and Coach, Brigadier General Odie Slocum, shares how his organization Others Over Self is helping veterans. Guest Bio General Odie Slocum is a Fighter Pilot (ret), Military and Veteran Advocate, Consultant, Speaker, and Coach. He works with the organizations Others Over Self and Warriors With Warriors. For more information head to https://othersoverself.com/ae/. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.