The Aerospace Executive Podcast

What can we expect from the airlines in 2021? How will they change and what will drive their business? In this episode, economist and former CEO of Spirit Airlines, Ben Baldanza shares the changes we’ll need to make as an industry. "Everybody will have to adjust their business model in some way, shape, or form." -Ben Baldanza Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How a decrease in business travel will impact the industry: As fewer corporate travelers take to the skies, many airlines will need to adapt their strategies and start making space for more lower-cost options. This will impact the existing low-cost carriers, who will be forced to compete in a different manner. What less business travel means for wide-body producers: With corporate travelers flying less frequently internationally, the need for widebody aircraft will be reduced. This will affect Boeing and Airbus production rates significantly but it’s not all doom and gloom. There will be opportunities elsewhere. Where the opportunities lie going forward: Despite the challenges, there is still opportunity for growth in our business. It’s just time to shift our focus into how we’ll make all our passengers feel comfortable throughout the travel experience. Guest Bio - Ben Baldanza is the CEO of Diemacher, LLC, an Independent Board Director at JetBlue Airways, and former CEO and President of Spirit Airlines. A Forbes Contributor and co-host of the Airlines Confidential Podcast, Ben is an economist and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Economics at George Mason University. Ben is an industry veteran and has been featured on multiple platforms including CNBC, Fox Business News, and The Today Show among others. To find out more, go to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-ben-baldanza https://www.forbes.com/sites/benbaldanza/ https://diemacherllc.com/about https://airlinesconfidential.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.

Highly acclaimed industry analyst and Forbes contributor, Brian Foley, shares his thoughts for 2021. With the New Year comes a ton of excitement. While many of us are still feeling cautious, many are also curious as to what the future holds. How big a dent did 2020 leave in our industry, and what can we do to rebuild and move forward? Did anyone benefit in spite of the difficulties? "The strength of the preowned market in 2020 is a sign that things are going to improve in our industry more than anyone is expecting them to." -Brian Foley Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The great news for business travel: While business travel took a backseat last year, business aviation utilization only went down by 15%. By the time business travel returns completely, we’re likely to overflow! Where the opportunities lie for business aviation: As smaller cities deal with cut back schedules and higher prices, business aviation will have a competitive advantage which makes now a good time to invest. Why we shouldn’t get too excited for eVTOL just yet: Silicon Valley investors may be throwing capital into urban mobility, but it’s important to put the numbers into perspective. What may seem massive in aviation is pocket change in tech, and it’s not guaranteed that eVTOL will take off in reality anytime soon. Guest Bio- Brian Foley is an aviation industry strategist, Forbes contributor, and the Founder of Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO). Brian began his career as a flight test engineer and marketing manager, and prior to founding BRiFO he spent two decades as the marketing director at Dassault Falcon Jet. To find out more, visit: https://www.brifo.com/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianfoley1/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brifo 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.

What is the future of aviation? Will we be bearing the brunt of coronavirus for years to come or will the impact be short-lived? In this episode, author of Aircraft Valuation, David Yu shares his prognosis for aviation in 2021 and beyond. The faster we take the difficulties of our reality into account, the faster we can get back on a growth path as an industry. -David Yu Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The impact of furloughed skills on the industry: Letting people go in a crisis is relatively easy, but getting them back isn’t so simple. As an industry, aviation is at risk of a potentially long-term talent gap. Why new investors are at an advantage during this period: Now might not be the worst time to start an airline. Between open routes and the availability of assets and labor force, there are a ton of opportunities for those willing to take the plunge. How the ‘new normal’ will affect aviation in the first quarter of 2021: With more people working from home full-time we should expect to see a portion of business aviation demand fall away, at least in the short term. Guest Bio- David Yu is the Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, and co-founder of aviation investing and financing firm, Inception Aviation Holdings, and the Executive Director Asia of IBA Group, a leading global aircraft appraisal and consultancy. A recognized expert in cross-border finance and investing, he is also an Adjunct Professor of Finance at NYU Shanghai, where he teaches the ‘Investing and Financing In and With China’ class. David is the author of Aircraft Valuation: Airplane Investments as an Asset Class. To find out more, go to: http://davidyuda.com https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Valuation-Airplane-Investments-Asset/dp/9811567425 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.

Alpine Advanced Materials innovative HX5 composites are driving weight-saving solutions that took a whopping 2,000 lbs. of weight out of a Boeing 777! As a venture-backed, early stage start-up, the company is also creating big waves in aerospace manufacturing. Getting a startup off the ground is challenging in the best of times, and a pandemic only adds another hurdle to the mix. What have Roger Raley and Joe D’Cruz done to thrive amidst the chaos? Do startups have advantages over their established competition that allow them to dominate? In this episode, Roger Raley and Joe D’Cruz of Alpine Advanced Materials share how they got their company off the ground in the midst of a global health crisis. The question isn’t how to be successful, it’s who we need to connect with to become successful. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why our investors make all the difference: Having the right investors does more than inject capital into our businesses, it also gives us credibility. Focus on partnering with the right investors who have the right experience. Why keeping our teams lean is the best way forward: Startups need to protect their capital, so avoid unnecessary expenses wherever possible and focus on fundamentals. The importance of staying cool under pressure: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in times of crisis, but the key to success lies in staying calm in every situation. Shift energies towards finding opportunities to partner with the right people and companies. Guest Bio- Joe D’Cruz is the Executive Chairman of Alpine Advanced Materials, and Founder of its parent company, Catalyze Dallas. With a deep knowledge of the aerospace, defense, energy, and transportation markets, Joe is an experienced senior executive with an impressive track record in both early-stage and established multinational corporate environments. To find out more, go to: https://catalyzedallas.com/our-team/ https://alpineadvancedmaterials.com/about/leadership/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedcruz Roger Raley is the President of Alpine Advanced Materials. An international executive with deep roots in aerospace, defense industries, and the commercial space, Roger has spent over 20 years delivering solutions that improve complex defense and commercial supply chains. Prior to joining Alpine, Roger served as the Vice President of the Military and Aerospace Business Unit at TTI, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company. To find out more, visit: https://alpineadvancedmaterials.com/about/leadership/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerraley 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.

Despite receiving billions in government bailouts, the world’s airlines are struggling and will continue to do so. Bank bailouts and state financial assistance have certainly done their part to provide lifelines, but this path is not the most sustainable path forward. Will the aid and bailouts do more to help the industry or hurt it? Are there any viable alternatives? In this episode, renowned airline, finance expert, and author of Aircraft Valuation, David Yu returns to the show to share how financial assistance will impact our industry moving forward. Instead of relying on financial assistance, airline carriers need to take the pain now. Get into a more sustainable state to set yourself up for long-term growth. -David Yu Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why leaning on aid isn’t a long-term solution: Financial assistance and bailouts are attractive options, but they cannot be relied upon for too long. Waiting on aid will only delay the inevitable for many airlines and leasing companies. Why we shouldn’t expect a second round of bailouts: While airlines have received a lot of financial assistance, other industries have not. Governments are now being forced to look at a wider swath of bailout needs. Why banks will become less accommodating: Banks have been generally amenable in the wake of COVID-19, but that might not always be the case. There is only so much the financial institutions can do. Guest Bio- David Yu is the Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, and co-founder of aviation investing and financing firm, Inception Aviation Holdings. A recognized expert in cross-border finance and investing, David is also the Executive Director Asia of IBA Group, a leading global aircraft appraisal and consultancy. David is also an Adjunct Professor of Finance at NYU Shanghai, and author of Aircraft Valuation: Airplane Investments as an Asset Class. To find out more, go to: http://davidyuda.com https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Valuation-Airplane-Investments-Asset/dp/9811567425 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

Travis Roderick, President of Air Ambulance Worldwide, made the difficult transition from running hospitals to running an aviation business. The transition has been even more complex as it was interrupted by a pandemic. In this episode he describes his journey into Aviation, how the aeromedical industry has been negatively affected, and how it will positively transition into 2021. People really don’t care how much you know until they know that you care about them as a human being. -Travis Roderick Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Where the opportunities for change lie in the medical flight industry: Medical air service providers do a great job at providing care to those who need it, but there’s always room for improvement when lives are on the line. We have to keep pushing to create a safer experience for everyone involved. How the industry can continue to serve patients at the highest level: It’s one thing to connect patients with great clinicians, but when it comes to healthcare, we also have to show we care. Genuine empathy and compassion go a long way, and it’s up to us to ensure our customers feel safe. Why there’s always a market for medical flights: Travel may be restricted at the moment due to COVID-19, but people still need to be brought into healthcare facilities for heart attacks, strokes, and injuries. Someone needs to be on hand for them, and that makes the medical flight industry a necessity. Guest Bio- Travis Roderick is the CEO of Air Ambulance Worldwide. Prior to entering the medical flight space, Travis spent over two decades in the healthcare industry, first as a hospital CEO, COO, Vice President, and Business Developer at Tenet Healthcare Corporation, and then as the owner and Managing Director at P3 Health Solutions, LLC. Travis seeks to love, learn, and lead life to the fullest extent while making a difference each day, and his drive to fulfill this purpose has given him multiple opportunities to lead world class organizations and give back to the community. To find out more about Travis and Air Ambulance, go to: https://www.airambulanceworldwide.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-roderick-327395 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

In the mid-1990’s nobody could have predicted how far and how fast the internet would develop and the past 30 years have been revolutionary. Once limited to science fiction, Artificial Intelligence is becoming our reality. That being said, the AI we’ve seen in movies isn’t quite the same as what we’re seeing in real life today. When we think of AI, we tend to think of robots with human qualities and potentially dangerous outcomes, but how much of that is true? Is AI as risky as science fiction may lead us to believe? In this episode, CEO of TheIntelligenceCommunity.com, Graham Plaster returns to the Aerospace Executive Podcast to explain how AI is really being used today, and how it might be used in the future. With AI, we have to figure out the ethical issues with privacy and autonomy and ask ourselves how much of our lives we want to outsource. -Graham Plaster Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The difference between General and Narrow Artificial Intelligence: Most of us associate AI with robots that can provide a human experience (like Siri), but that’s only an illusion of interaction and doesn’t offer much of a threat. On the other hand, Narrow AI goes deep on singular tasks like facial recognition, and that can be open to abuse. What makes Narrow AI risky: Narrow AI technologies like facial recognition have the benefit of identifying people all over the world more quickly and easily. However, if not developed with ethics in mind, facial recognition could pave the way for racial profiling and invasive surveillance. How AI will impact warfare in the future: As governments gain access to tools like drones and facial recognition, they’ll have the ability to outsource special warfare to machines. This will have a major effect on how wars are fought, so we have to start thinking about the moral implications of using AI. Guest Bio Graham Plaster is an entrepreneur, defense innovation advisor, and author of the bestselling In The Shadow of Greatness. He is also the CEO and Founder of TheIntelligenceCommunity.com, a professional network for US government, military, national security, and private sector personnel. Prior to launching The Intelligence Community Inc, Graham served on active duty as a Naval Officer for over a decade. An expert advisor on emerging technology, Graham is passionate about learning about the newest advancements. To find out more and to connect with Graham, visit: https://www.theintelligencecommunity.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamplaster https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/company/theintelligencecommunity-com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5r4lGXW1yNcxtoi9Q3lGw https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Greatness-Leadership-Sacrifice-Americas/dp/1612511384 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.

Cyber technology is an integral part of our lives, and with so many new advancements, keeping up has become non-negotiable. However, there is a price to pay. The competition between the US and China over AI and 5G is one of the greatest threats we’re currently facing. How we approach cybersecurity won’t just protect us, it can also create opportunities for peacebuilding and stronger alliances. What makes the AI and 5G rivalry so risky? How big an impact do companies like Huawei really have on our national security? Is there a way to keep up with the latest technology while dealing with political issues? In this episode, CEO of TheIntelligenceCommunity.com, Graham Plaster shares how to push for bigger, better tech while mitigating security risks. Post-COVID, we have to make sure we’re sourcing as much of our technology from the US as possible. -Graham Plaster Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why foreign powers positioned in our market is cause for concern: Foreign-owned tech companies aren’t automatically a danger, but we do need to be aware of who is purchasing and gaining access to our infrastructure. When a company beholden to a dominant world power establishes a foothold in our market, we could be putting our sovereignty at stake. The risk of isolating our adversaries in the information age: Having a clear line of communication with other countries, adversary or not, gives us access to extremely important information. Before isolating a foe, we have to consider if it’s really worth losing out on vital intelligence that could impact national security. How working with rivals paves the way for peace: Having our platforms and technologies in unfriendly territories may seem counterintuitive, but it could be the key to more peaceful relations. When we both have something to gain, we’re more likely to get along. Guest Bio Graham Plaster is a Defense Innovation Advisor, serial entrepreneur, and the bestselling author of In The Shadow of Greatness. An expert advisor on emerging technology, he is also the Founder and CEO of TheIntelligenceCommunity.com, a professional network for US government, military, national security, and private sector personnel. Prior to launching The Intelligence Community Inc, Graham served on active duty as a Naval Officer for over a decade. To find out more and to connect with Graham, visit: https://www.theintelligencecommunity.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamplaster https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/company/theintelligencecommunity-com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5r4lGXW1yNcxtoi9Q3lGw https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Greatness-Leadership-Sacrifice-Americas/dp/1612511384 Other links mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Chain-Defending-America-High-Tech/dp/031653353X Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales, and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well-known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes, AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

A big lesson we learn is how quickly change can be forced on us. The people who successfully adapt don’t change by force, they pivot with intention and purpose. Many think that change and transition are the same thing, but there’s a difference. Change is forced on us; transition is a choice we make and is something we control. Our world will continue to change and the more we can transition and pivot, the more likely we’ll be able to reach our desired goals. What are the key differences between people who transition intentionally and people who are forced to change by circumstance? In this episode, Executive Performance and Transition Coach, and author of Transition on Purpose, Dennis Volpe answers this question. If you don’t decide to do something differently, you’re not going to move from your current reality to your desired one. -Dennis Volpe Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Change vs. transition: A change is what happens to us under the pressure of an external force. A transition is a mindset, internal push, and self-motivated effort to move from our current reality to our desired reality. By making transitions, we protect ourselves from unwanted changes. The types of transitions we’ll encounter in our lives: There are 3 different types of transitions: a forced transition, an accidental transition, and an intentional transition. The more we can get ahead of a forced change by shifting on purpose, the more prepared we are in an unpredictable world. How to create your happiness equation: Start with the non-negotiable things you need to add to your life and remove the things that divide or subtract your joy and fulfillment. If we set the intention to build a life that aligns with that equation, we can easily identify when something isn’t in alignment and shift accordingly. Guest Bio Dennis is an Executive Performance and Transition Coach, author, and a Principal at the Leadership Research Institute (LRI) He is an experienced leader and mentor with a proven record of leading and developing others to perform at higher levels and improve their overall effectiveness. He has a passion for learning, developing others to improve as leaders, and positively impacting organizational success. LRI is a global consulting firm specializing in leadership and organizational development. The firm partners with leaders across a wide variety of industries, helping them to guide and transform their organizations for success. As a leadership and organizational development consultant and executive performance and transition coach, Dennis partners with individuals and teams to recognize and optimize personal and organizational potential. For more information, visit https://transitiononpurpose.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/djvolpe/. 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.

2020 has been a wild ride. Between the pandemic and the subsequent economic fallout, it’s easy to view everything through a negative lens. Keeping a positive isn’t just necessary, it’s our responsibility. Even in the most challenging times, business leaders have to keep the ship steady, look ahead, and optimize the effectiveness of our teams. If we feel defeated, our teams will follow suit and the organization will fall apart. It's time to focus on the things we can control. While we can’t change the fact that there’s a pandemic, we can shift on how we respond to it. How can we be the leaders our teams need during this chaotic time? How do we balance realism and optimism? What is the critical piece people often miss in the conversation on emotional intelligence in the workplace? In this episode, I’m joined by Executive Performance and Transition Coach, Dennis Volpe. We discuss the challenges leaders are facing in 2020, and how we can deal with them. Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The levels of awareness all leaders need to have: The 3 lenses of awareness essential for effective leadership are self-awareness, social awareness, and situational awareness. We need to have a good understanding of ourselves, others, and how to navigate different circumstances. Why emotional intelligence shouldn’t be our sole focus: While it’s important to develop an emotionally intelligent culture in our organization, we have to balance it with what actually drives the business forward. Emotional intelligence without performance and efficiency will only lead to a stagnant organization. Why we shouldn’t be the only leaders on our teams: Our jobs as leaders are made easier when we hire smart people who can lead themselves and solve problems independently. There should be leadership at every level in an organization, and that’s accomplished by hiring people who don’t always look to us for the answer or solution. Guest Bio: Dennis is an Executive Performance and Transition Coach, author, and a Principal at the Leadership Research Institute (LRI) He is an experienced leader and mentor with a proven record of leading and developing others to perform at higher levels and improve their overall effectiveness. He has a passion for learning, developing others to improve as leaders, and positively impacting organizational success. LRI is a global consulting firm specializing in leadership and organizational development. The firm partners with leaders across a wide variety of industries, helping them to guide and transform their organizations for success. As a leadership and organizational development consultant and executive performance and transition coach, Dennis partners with individuals and teams to recognize and optimize personal and organizational potential. For more information, visit https://transitiononpurpose.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/djvolpe/. 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 a small business in the current business climate comes with many challenges, but there’s still a lot of opportunity for leaders who have the right mindset. The pandemic has affected manufacturing extensively but this also creates SIGNIFICANT opportunities for local businesses to gain market share, and help OEMs protect their supply chains. How can small and mid-sized businesses grow through this crisis? Why is marketing so important right now? In this episode, Anchor Harvey Components CEO, Tom Lefaivre shares why he is optimistic about business, even with the challenges he’s navigated. Always think about the future, even if you’re on a roll and things are good right now. -Tom Lefaivre Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The best ideas often come from your own employees. If we create a space in our companies for them to share their ideas, it will help us improve the products we create. With restrictions and lockdowns, there will be a slowing in manufacturing outsourcing to foreign nations. US manufacturers now have a chance to prove themselves. Now is not the time to skimp on Sales and Marketing. Now is the time to amp it up! Guest Bio Tom is the President and CEO at Anchor Harvey Components. Anchor Harvey is a data-driven aluminum forging company with a century-long legacy in precision manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain management. They’ve modernized the age-old aluminum forging process by introducing sophisticated technology to monitor and control every step of the operation. For more information visit https://anchorharvey.com/ and connect with Tom here https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-lefaivre-8804a013/. To get in touch with Tom call 815.494.9183. 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.

2020 has been anything but the norm for businesses, entrepreneurs, employees, and customers. Every business has been hit with new challenges. Some businesses have come out stronger. These are the companies that successfully pivoted, kept a focus on their marketing, treated their employees well, and kept going despite the challenges. Anchor Harvey is an example of a company that pivoted, rolled with the punches, and found a new path to success. How did they stabilize their business and identify new opportunities? In this episode, Anchor Harvey President and CEO, Tom Lefaivre shares how his team is navigating the challenges of running a business in a COVID economy. The things you should do for your employees cost money, but there’s always a payback. -Tom Lefaivre Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Our clients, prospects, and customers want to hear from us during this time of uncertainty. They want to know that we’re still active and working, and how we’ve shifted operations in response to the pandemic. With more people working from home, website clicks rates and email open rates have increased significantly. This is a great time to intensify our online marketing efforts instead of slowing or shutting them down. For many business owners, the 2020 crisis has been a time to put more into taking care of their employees and boosting morale. When we show our people that we care, especially in tough times, we earn a lifetime of loyalty. Guest Bio Tom is the President and CEO at Anchor Harvey Components. Anchor Harvey is a data-driven aluminum forging company with a century-long legacy in precision manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain management. They’ve modernized the age-old aluminum forging process by introducing sophisticated technology to monitor and control every step of the operation. For more information visit https://anchorharvey.com/ and connect with Tom here https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-lefaivre-8804a013/. 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.

COVID-19 dealt a devastating blow to the airline and aircraft leasing industries, but the cracks were already there pre-pandemic. The pandemic merely sped up the inevitable. How do we rebuild? Do we play it safe until the storm passes over or do we try new things in a frozen aircraft market? Industry expert and Partner at Split Rock Aviation, Andy Mansell shares how the industry should use this time to plan for the future. If you’re patient during this period, the returns can be unbelievably good. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to plan more realistically: Develop a playbook that factors in bad news and the impact it will have on pricing. It is easier to deal with a crisis when it is planned for it in advance. How lessors can make the most of the post-COVID industry: The market is cyclical and business challenges are inevitable. The best way for lessors to stay profitable is by aggressively investing immediately after a correction and exiting before the next one begins. Why owning every aspect of the production process puts us in danger: Operating without partners may seem like an attractive idea because doing so means we keep all our profits. However, while having partners means we’re sharing profits, it also means we’re sharing the burden of losses. Guest Bio- Andy Mansell is a commercial aviation leasing industry veteran with an extensive background in developing, implementing, and executing strategies for aircraft trading and leasing. He is a Partner at Split Rock Aviation and has previously held leadership roles at Charlotte Parker and Associates LLC, Aviation Capital Group, and Boullioun Aviation Services. To find out more, head to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mansell www.splitrockaviation.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.

Hiring the right people is never easy. If we’re seeing talent and potential in someone, odds are our competitors see that too. It’s also important to remember that people exist in a fluid marketplace – our existing talent is constantly being enticed with other offers. Thus, it is OUR responsibility to ensure they’re happier with us. What can we do to make sure top recruits are drawn to us, rather than our competition? How do we retain our existing employees? In this episode, we discuss that hiring and retention are dependent on a clear communication and negotiation process. We’re not trying to figure out world peace, we’re just trying to see what it’ll take to keep a great person in our organization. Keep it simple and ask the right questions. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode The simplest way to find out what someone wants is to ASK! Do not assume what they want or that what you’re offering is good enough. Be clear on what you’re willing to give. When we’re clear on what we can and can’t accept, the process becomes very straightforward. Negotiation can be a tense experience and it requires emotional intelligence on our behalf. It’s just business… Don’t make it personal. 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. Contact Craig on 910 509 7129 Or [email protected]

In a completely online world, the difference between Harvard and the University of Phoenix becomes very small. How does one differentiate the two without the personal classroom and extracurricular interaction? In similar fashion, the Work From Home trend certainly has its advantages. But as the business world goes virtual, how does one differentiate themselves and grow without the ability to network, build relationships, or show leadership ability? Where new talent could once climb the ladder by taking initiative in the office, the shift towards an online world may lessen that impact. It is hard to impress or bond with co-workers whom you’ve never personally met! In this episode, we talk about the challenges faced by young recruits as the world moves online. Your choice to interact with leaders in-person might be taken away, but you’ll always grab their attention by solving problems. -Matt Johnson Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to learn about company culture when everyone works from home We may not be able to walk into a lobby to catch a glimpse of company culture anymore, but we can still do our research. Reach out to employees through tools like LinkedIn to get a better idea of company values. Being proactive identifies us as future leaders Identifying problems and providing solutions is a great way to capture the attention of leaders. By taking charge, we’re sure to impress our superiors no matter where we’re working from. The importance of branding in a virtual world Being known for what we’re good at is a surefire way to stand out to the right people. Build a personal brand based on strengths and a proven track record. 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. To contact Craig, Call or text him on 910 509 7129 Or email him at [email protected] Books mentioned on this episode: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057

Starting a small business is daunting. Many people with massive potential don’t take advantage of the opportunities out of fear, but that’s exactly why we need to take the plunge. There are unique benefits to running a smaller, more nimble operation, especially right now. Small business leadership isn’t for everyone, but those up for the task stand to gain massive success. What unique opportunities do small businesses have? How can we keep pushing forward and stay optimistic even when faced with challenges? How can we build the right teams to make the most of the opportunity? Scott Ashton, President and CEO of Aerox, joins me to discuss how he’s built a small business that packs a punch. As a small business owner, every day is a learning experience. If you’re open to adapting every day, hour and minute, you can be really successful. -Scott Ashton Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to instill a sense of responsibility in our teams Our reputations are on the line as small business owners, so we have to ensure our employees deliver. The best way to do this is by leading by example. When a leader gets the job done in spite of challenges, the team sees it’s possible for them too. The importance of checking in with our teams One of the benefits of a small business is the ability to communicate easily with our employees. Share positive feedback with everyone so they know they’re on the right track. If a customer commends the service, let them know! How to stay optimistic in the face of setbacks It’s second nature to feel despondent when something goes wrong, whether we receive negative feedback or don’t meet our targets. To combat this, we have to learn from the experience and keep moving forward. Guest Bio: Scott Ashton is the President and CEO of Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems. A passionate business aviation executive, Scott thrives on building client-focused, operationally excellent organizations led by highly skilled teams. Scott has extensive experience in the aviation industry, having served in multiple management and leadership roles throughout his career. To find out more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottashton www.aerox.com https://m.facebook.com/pg/aeroxoxygen/posts/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0 You can also email Scott 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.

With domestic air travel reopening across the world the airlines are bouncing back. But there is more short term pain. To move forward from this crisis let’s focus on the fact that there’s opportunity for long-term gain. Who do the airline turn to for survival? Governments? Capital Markets? Industry expert, Senior ISTAT Aircraft Appraiser and successful investment professional, David Yu, shares his thoughts. Domestic flights have bounced back somewhat, but when it comes to international travel, governments will be the wild card. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How investors should respond to the ongoing crisis In light of the continuing challenges faced by the industry, lessors and benefactors may need to consider a second wave of rent deferrals. Debt repayments need to be restructured realistically. Why we need to avoid liquidation during this period We’re essentially a frozen market, so now is not the time to liquidate or sell. Why we need to stop tending the wound It makes sense to reduce risk in a crisis market but there must be a shift to growth. If we keep holding back, we’ll never reach the next stage of development. 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. Guest Bio David Yu is the Chairman of China Aviation Valuation Advisors (CAVA) and its sister firms, Asia Aviation Valuation Advisors (AAVA) and Korea Aviation Valuation Advisors (KAVA). He is the only Senior ISTAT Aviation Appraiser in North Asia and China, and is a Forbes Contributor and thought leader in cross-border financing, real assets, and aviation finance and leasing. David is also a Professor of Finance at New York University Shanghai and Stern. To find out more about David, head to: http://davidyuda.com/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidyu/#1ed07c622d7d

No one could have predicted everything that’s happened in 2020, or what the rest of the year holds. Uncertain times are tough, but they’re also opportunities for innovation. Where can business leaders still find great opportunities for growth? In this episode Chad Cundiff, President of the Astronautics Corporation of America shares his thoughts on the future of aviation and the role innovation will play. Innovation doesn’t need to come with an exorbitant price tag. In my experience, people with innovative ideas can usually prove out their ideas without a big budget. -Chad Cundiff Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Innovation isn’t limited by the size of your company Small companies won’t always have access to experts on any given topic, but that doesn’t need to stop us from developing new, original ideas. How to bring in new ideas & perspectives without breaking the bank Recruiting straight out of universities brings opportunity to grow talent and get in fresh ideas. Why money isn’t the problem in innovation Even when there’s uncertainty, there will always be money for the right ideas to be developed. Guest Bio Chad Cundiff is the President at Astronautics Corporation of America. He has over two decades of experience in aerospace, having spent over 15 years at Honeywell Aerospace and later leading strategy and business development for UTC Aerospace Systems. Chad began his career as an engineer at Boeing, developing the Boeing 777 aircraft. To find out more about Chad, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-cundiff-0434b66 https://astronautics.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.

We live in a society that teaches that there’s only two paths, win or lose. But the path to success isn’t that simple, and one key ingredient of success is learning from failure. The truth is, there’s no such thing as failure. As Nelson Mandela so famously quoted, “I either win, or I learn.” Even when things don’t seem to be working out, we’re learning valuable lessons. To succeed in business and in life, we need to understand that we won’t always win in the traditional sense, and that’s okay! We have to stop torturing ourselves for making mistakes. In this episode, Founder and CEO of Extraordinary Advisors, Todd Palmer shares how to fail forward. If you’re not failing forward, you’re not succeeding. -Todd Palmer Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode How to be intentional in everything we do Whether we’re struggling with finding the right systems to implement in our businesses or facing something out of our control, like a pandemic, challenges are inevitable. It’s how we handle the challenge that determines if we win. Why we must lean into uncomfortable conversations It’s okay to feel stuck in a box, but we have to tell people. Communicate about potential problems and ask for help. Uncomfortable conversations are often more uncomfortable in our heads than they are in the real world, so lean into them. How to embrace mistakes rather than fear them When things don’t go according to plan, we get an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and grow from them. There’s no way to lose; we either win, or we learn. Guest Bio Todd Palmer is the Founder, President and CEO of Extraordinary Advisors. He is also a business coach and keynote speaker within the organization, and is passionate about helping people find ways around obstacles in their businesses. Todd is the author of The Job Search Process, and also writes on Human Capital Issues at Production Machining and DBusiness Magazine. Todd served as the owner and President of Diversified Industrial Staffing for over 22 years before retiring from day-to-day operations in 2019. To find out more about Todd, visit: www.extraordinaryadvisors.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddpalmer1 Find his book at: https://www.amazon.com/Todd-Palmer/e/B019A60UQS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share You can also email him on: [email protected]

The world we once knew no longer exists, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We can now rethink and reaffirm our values as business leaders. But are we changing or transitioning? There is a difference! Whichever it is we’re doing, communicating who we serve and what we stand for is the key to success. Michael Alan Tate, author of Roll Up Your Sleeves, returns and discusses what it takes to be an effective leader in a world filled with constant change. Principles and purpose are extremely important. When the people in your organization return to work, remind them how important their job is. -Michael Alan Tate Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Reaffirm purpose: Why it is leadership’s job to help teams navigate their emotions, affirm their purpose and remind them of their importance. Have a 90-day vision: Short term goals are very effective to move our businesses forward, and make them as clear as possible. Communicate effectively: Nobody ever died from over-communication! People are hungry for information. Tell your story, communicate your vision. Guest Bio Michael Alan Tate is an executive consultant and career coach. He is also the author of The White Shirt: Find Your Ideal Career with the Secrets Hidden in This Ancient History, Design a Life that Works and Roll Up Your Sleeves: Leading and Living in a World of Constant Change. Michael is the Founder and President of On the Same Page consulting. To find out more about Michael, head to: https://michaelalantate.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.

It may be an act of God, but is force majeure a realistic path to go down? Mark Ditto, Vedder Price Shareholder and Attorney, explains how stakeholders are responding to this and other pertinent legal issues in our current commercial aviation reality. At the end of the day, we’ve got to look to the future. If we use force majeure as a reason not to pay bills, it puts us in a precarious position going forward. -Craig Picken 3 Things We Learned from Mark Force Majeure: It may seem like a viable option now, but be sure to think about the future. It may help protect cash, but it could impact future relationships with service providers. Rent Deferrals: Rent deferral requests continue to come fast and furious from operators and have taken on a variety of flavors. These often need to be approved by lenders as well, and it can take a long time to get consent. Relationships Matter: Lessors and banks have been relatively understanding of the toll this has taken on the airlines and the industry. The ones that thrive will focus on maintaining good relationships. Guest Bio Mark Ditto is an Aviation/Equipment Finance Attorney and shareholder at Vedder Price, P.C. He represents operating lessors, commercial banks, finance companies, private equity firms, hedge funds and other investors in all manner of aircraft finance transactions. To find out more about Mark, head to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ditto-90491464 www.vedderprice.com You can also email him at [email protected] Or call him on 3126097643 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.

Airlines and Dinosaurs… Fighting off extinction! How does the industry rebuild? With so much uncertainty, it will be difficult to plan a way forward, but it’s not all doom and gloom – people WILL want to travel again. We just have to figure out how to stay afloat until demand fully returns. Leasing industry veteran and CEO / Chief Investment Officer at Warbird Capital LLC, Nick Pastushan joins me to discuss the future of aviation in a time of uncertainty. Think of it like this: COVID-19 is like the asteroid that knocked out the dinosaurs. All parts of our industry’s ecosystem are at risk. -Nick Pastushan Three Things Nick and I Discuss: The aviation industry will take flight, but we have to be prepared for intense restructuring to get us through “to the other side.” OEMs should take this time to go into hibernation. Even with all the skills and tools to keep producing, it’s a good idea to put a pause on operations until there’s more clarity in the industry. Once borders reopen, consumers may be hesitant to board flights. But, they will still want to see the world! 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. Guest Bio Nick Pastushan is the Founder, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Warbird Capital LLC. Prior to this, he was the Chief Investment Officer and Chief Credit Officer at CIT for over 10 years. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science from Rochester Institute of Technology. To find out more about Nick, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-pastushan-b954a510

COVID brought CHAOS! It will also bring out two groups of people – those who will use it as a chance to grow and those who will bury their heads in the sand. I find it ironic that most of the opportunity comes during times of uncertainty…How many new businesses were started during the great recession? How many millions were minted during the Savings & Loan crisis? How many took advantage of a recent 30% stock market drop? It’s time to navigate the chaos and identify the opportunity. The winners are aggressively doing that now. The losers are those saying “I’m not making calls today…businesses are closed.” In this episode, I talk about why chaotic times are the best times to roll up our sleeves and dig in. If you’ve got your head in the sand, hoping for the best is not going to work, you have to be driving forward and getting out of your comfort zone. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Winning or losing is determined by the mindset we find ourselves in. Many companies can restructure for the better: Now is the time to hire engineers, A&Ps and pilots – skill sets that were in short supply 12 months ago. Use this time to prepare to drive your business and career forward. As businesses shift in the chaos, there will be new opportunities. 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.

What makes a Navy SEAL a Navy Seal? Why did 25% of my Officer Candidate School classmates quit training in the first week? Why does your top sales exec produce exponentially better results than your bottom one? It can be summed up in one word – GRIT! Those who talk about the dream and those who actually accomplish it. People with grit have the determination to get things done, no matter the circumstance. They don’t quit. The economy is now challenged and many businesses are fighting for survival. How will grit get us through to the other side? Great economies create a lot of mediocre behavior. Right now, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves, get into the trenches and find true grit. If you can produce 5x your salary in value, you’re going to be king forever. -Craig Picken Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode If you don’t feel like you’re in the right job, then start preparing and networking now. It’s time to position ourselves for the mass restructuring that will be coming in the next 24 months. The downside of a great economy is that it hid a lot of bad behavior. Now is the time to be evaluating everything and everyone in your business. Are you getting what you need to be successful? Challenging times create great opportunities. It’s a great time for reinvention so start planning for a new venture or direction.

In the wake of COVID-19 it is time to look forward and use the pandemic as an opportunity to improve. How can we use AI to take aviation forward and shape the future? Neil Sahota, author of Own the AI Revolution, returns to the show to share how to rebuild the aviation industry. The aviation industry as we know it has changed: we have to start changing the way we think about business. -Neil Sahota Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode New metrics that will precisely target flying airline customer Use AI to find our customers’ ‘why’. If we know why people were choosing to fly before the pandemic, we’ll be more likely to find ways to win them back. How to change mindsets to reshape the industry Guest Bio Neil Sahota is a United Nations Artificial Intelligence subject matter expert, IBM Master Inventor and Professor at UC Irvine. He is also a speaker on inspiring innovation, and the author of Own the AI Revolution: Unlock Your Artificial Intelligence Strategy to Disrupt Your Competition. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Neil is currently working on artificial empathy technology through the United Nations. To find out more about Neil, head to: NeilSahota.com You can also find his book at: https://www.amazon.com/Own-I-Revolution-Intelligence-Competition/dp/1260458377 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.

What should leaders be doing NOW to ensure the future of aviation? Competing or Cooperating? On this episode, transformational CEO Hooman Yazhari shares how leaders should respond to the looming economic crisis. Like it or not, people are scared of getting into aircrafts at the moment. We have to work together as an industry to think of how to make them feel reassured. -Hooman Yazhari Takeaways + Tactics To protect the future, we have to protect the now. Liquidity is the key to everything, so go source as many sources of capital as possible. Use the current crisis to shape the future. Use the void in certainty as an opportunity to shape destiny. Now is the time to collaborate with our competitors to find a way forward and ensure passengers will feel safe on airplanes. Guest Bio Hooman Yazhari is a transformational CEO with a vast track record in assisting distressed companies through major transformations. Hooman is a key leader in extensive chain management. He is currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board at Bristow Group, and has just joined the Board at Speedcast. Hooman is also the Non-Executive Director at Voyager Aviation. To find out more about Hooman, head to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoomanyazhari https://www.beyondcapitalfund.org/impactinvestmentfund?lightbox=dataItem-jd3bpkbr http://prod-app-01.bristowgroup.com/about-bristow/management/board-of-directors/hooman-yazhari-director/ http://voyager.aero/board 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.

Leaders must find ways to push their teams through change and chaos to deliver outstanding results, but how do you do so when the world changes in an instant? Brigadier General William C. ‘Bill’ David (US Army ret.) shares how to execute change, lead teams and manage expectations in rapidly changing environments. Stay calm if you can, talk to your customers and talk to your employees. -Bill David Takeaways + Tactics Don’t be afraid to over communicate with customers. The best way to stay abreast of our customers’ needs is through constant dialogue. Evaluate current personnel. Now is the time for leaders to evaluate whether teammates fit company values and make necessary adjustments. Be transparent. For businesses to survive the storm means being open with where they are and where they are going. 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. Guest Bio Brigadier General William C. ‘Bill’ David is the advisor and subject matter expert at Valiant Integrated Services. He is a decorated army veteran, having led the historic “Blackhawk Down” rescue of Task Force Ranger in Somalia. Following his retirement from active duty, Bill worked for 15 years in the private sector in executive management positions in the Aerospace and Defense industry. To find out more about Bill, head to https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-david-1a5b4556

Neil Sohata, author of Own the AI Revolution, discusses this controversial topic and how it will affect Aviation. Will AI ever replace us and should we feel threatened? Listen to Neil’s vision to find out… There’s no need to feel threatened by AI: it’s meant to enhance our capabilities, not replace them. -Neil Sahota Takeaways + Tactics AI will transform the aircraft manufacturing process Airlines and travel companies will AI to revolutionize travel experiences Don’t panic … it will ENHANCE human capabilities, not replace them

Ageing aircraft and engines can present unique challenges for aircraft owners, but massive opportunities for those who can support them cost effectively. Marc Drobny, President of StandardAero Business Aviation, is seeing opportunities to drive his business forward by offering creative solutions to his customers. Long-term, Covid-19 is going to be a stimulus for business aviation. This will change people’s minds about commercial flying. -Marc Drobny 3 Things We Learned From Marc Drobny Reduced flying demand during the Covid-19 pandemic is providing opportunities for aircraft owners to get off-tempo work done with minimal impact to flight schedules. The effect of COVID-19 and a parallel reduction of airline demand will impact the nature of technical recruiting and hiring in business aviation. Ageing aircraft are creating new business and aircraft support opportunities. StandardAero’s engine exchange program is just one of them. Guest Bio Marc Drobny is the President of Business Aviation at StandardAero. He is responsible for leading the achievement of performance objectives, customer satisfaction and business development activities of the Business Aviation Sector, which is dedicated to the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of non-commercial, business aviation aircraft. Drobny reports directly to the CEO of StandardAero and is a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team. For more information visit http://www.standardaero.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.

Urban Air Mobility is the hot topic in aviation. But what will it entail? On this episode, Peter Schmidt, Co-Founder of Transcend Air Corporation, and Mark Ozenick, CEO of Rotorcraft Newco, discuss what will define Urban Mobility, the technologies required and how Transcend’s Vy400 aircraft design will change market dynamics. The right aircraft lets us break through the barriers of congestions choking the growth of transportation, by moving the transportation resource closer to the demand. -Peter Schmidt Takeaways + Tactics The conventional mode of air travel conflicts with what future markets will need. Peter Schmidt and Mark Ozenick share what the next evolution of air travel is and how it meets this demand. Listen to the full episode to learn about: The technology and performance features that have set the Vy400 up for success Why urban air mobility works well for travelers and operators alike How the waves of economic innovation have developed in urban mobility Guest Bios Peter Schmidt is the COO & Co-Founder at Transcend Air Corporation Mark is the Chairman and CEO of Rotorcraft NewCo, Inc. For more information visit https://www.transcend.aero/. For more about the Vy400 https://vy400.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.

Urban Air Mobility is the hot topic in aviation. But what will it entail? On this episode, Peter Schmidt, Co-Founder of Transcend Air Corporation, and Mark Ozenick, CEO of Rotorcraft Newco, discuss what will define Urban Mobility, the technologies required and how Transcend’s Vy400 aircraft design will change market dynamics. The right aircraft lets us break through the barriers of congestions choking the growth of transportation, by moving the transportation resource closer to the demand. -Peter Schmidt Takeaways + Tactics The conventional mode of air travel conflicts with what future markets will need. Peter Schmidt and Mark Ozenick share what the next evolution of air travel is and how it meets this demand. Listen to the full episode to learn about: The technology and performance features that have set the Vy400 up for success Why urban air mobility works well for travelers and operators alike How the waves of economic innovation have developed in urban mobility Guest Bios Peter Schmidt is the COO & Co-Founder at Transcend Air Corporation Mark is the Chairman and CEO of Rotorcraft NewCo, Inc. For more information visit https://www.transcend.aero/. For more about the Vy400 https://vy400.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.

Hooman Yazhari is Vice Chairman at Bristow Group and a BOD member with Voyager Aviation as well. During his relatively short career, he has led four companies through very challenging times, including two complete restructurings. His experience and compassion create a great playbook for current and future business leaders. In this episode, we discuss the short and medium-term challenges the aviation/aerospace and airline industry will experience, and how we’ll move beyond the chaos if COVID-19. To come out of the COVID-19 crisis as seamlessly as possible, the industry will have to think holistically about solutions. -Hooman Yazhari Takeaways + Tactics Airline liquidity will be crucial. Cash is king, and in a situation as unprecedented as our current reality, that’s more true than ever. Governments will need to help the aviation industry. They will be more likely to assist bigger airline companies and flag carriers. Smaller and secondary airlines will be forced to evaluate other options. Less pressing issues, such as carbon footprints will take a back seat to the COVID-19 crisis, but will re-emerge as important topics. Guest Bio Hooman Yazhari is a transformational CEO. He is the Vice Chairman of the Board at Bristow Group, as well as the Non-Executive Director at Voyager Aviation. Hooman has a tremendous track record of assisting distressed companies through major transformations, and is a key leader in extensive change management. He is an expert in the areas of finance, aviation, private equity and restructuring, among many others. Hooman is also passionate about philanthropic work, and is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Beyond Capital Fund. To find out more about Hooman, head to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoomanyazhari https://www.beyondcapitalfund.org/impactinvestmentfund?lightbox=dataItem-jd3bpkbr http://prod-app-01.bristowgroup.com/about-bristow/management/board-of-directors/hooman-yazhari-director/ http://voyager.aero/board 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.

What is the next frontier in air travel? How can we make long-haul flights more bearable for passengers and what are the risks of not using sustainable fuels in the future? Business Aviation expert Richard Emery shares his views on the future of business aviation. The next frontier in aviation is definitely speed. That’s what we should be looking into. -Richard Emery Takeaways + Tactics The next frontier in aviation is speed. Airplane manufacturers have to start thinking about how they’ll make air travel more time-effective in the future. Until we can develop faster travel, manufacturers need to ensure smaller cabins become more comfortable. Prioritizing comfort while maintaining price and performance will be a challenge. Finding sustainable solutions is vital for the future of aviation. In the coming years, there might not be total bans of airplanes using non-sustainable fuel, but it’s likely there will be penalties. Guest Bio Richard Emery is the President of Emery Holdings, LLC. Richard has an extensive background in the business aviation space, having served as the COO of Mente Group, LLC, and as the President International and President Americas, respectively, at Hawker Beechcraft Corp. Richard is known for his calm presence in difficult situations and is relied upon for innovative strategic vision and management. For more information on Richard, head to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardemery2

The COVID-19 epidemic is a bit like a hurricane. Let’s get through it together. Panicking is more dangerous than hunkering down. -Craig Picken Takeaways + Tactics Hurricanes are scary, but they do pass and life will return to normal. Focusing on one metric or putting your eggs in one basket is never a good thing. Airlines are parking airplanes and doing limited maintenance of Safety of Flight only. But it will get better. When the airlines do return, they will rebalance on the back of cheap oil and very efficient airplanes. The MAX, A220 and A320-NEO are solid and efficient. This is a good time to polish up on skills, reading and brushing up our resume so we can hit the ground running when things return to normal. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

A deep look into industry trends will help anticipate that which is yet to come. Brian Foley, Forbes contributor and founder of AvStrategies, shares his expert insights on how business aviation will move forward in 2020 and beyond. The winners in business aviation will be those with new, innovative products. -Brian Foley Takeaways + Tactics Innovation is vital. To be a winner tomorrow, companies must innovate today. Prioritize efficiency. Any innovations offering fuel efficiency are likely to become popular in the coming years. Pay attention to new players from outside the industry. Tech companies are showing major interest in aviation. Guest Bio Brian Foley is the founder of AvStrategies and Brian Foley Associates, a consulting company dedicated to guiding aerospace firms and investors in the right direction. Brian began his career as a flight test engineer and marketing manager at Boeing Commercial, before going on to become the Marketing Director at Dassault Falcon Jet. Today, Brian is a regular contributor to Forbes Magazine. To find out more about Brian, head to https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianfoley1/#670d1b802c2e 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 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 business aviation space saw a slight decrease in transactions in the past year, but there are still ample opportunities in the market. Don Dwyer, Managing Partner at Guardian Jet, shares why he’s bullish on business aircraft sales. Don’t panic about major changes in the industry just yet. Carbon footprint-related changes in the industry won’t be our reality for some time. -Don Dwyer Takeaways + Tactics Don’t panic over slight market drops - although there was a small decrease in the number of transactions in 2019, there has been a general trend of stabilization over the past 3 years. There is a lot of competition. Be smart and respond to exactly what the customer wants. Aircraft buyers and sellers must be willing to negotiate. With ample competition, sophisticated buyers are able to take their business elsewhere.

The new challenge in Business Aviation is catering to a new generation of aircraft owners and flyers. On this episode, FBO Director of Sales for Fontainebleau Aviation, Anthony Banome shares his thoughts on keeping the FBO flourishing in the future. Focus on speeding up your responsiveness- younger owners are typically pretty savvy with communication and response time. -Anthony Banome Takeaways + Tactics Be more communication savvy and offer quicker response times. The younger generation of aircraft owners tend to expect faster results. Mimic the format of larger FBO chains but take advantage of their weaknesses. Clients are accustomed to bigger FBO chains, but there’s always room for improvement. Work with the client’s preferred mode of communication in mind. There are so many ways to communicate today, that it only makes sense to tailor our interactions to the clients’ needs and desires. On this episode, we spoke about the importance of building and maintaining relationships in an FBO business. After discussing how to interact with new clients, we also discussed how business aviation can impact our clients’ lives- both in terms of their businesses and with regard to family life. We also discussed: Why word-of-mouth advertising will always have tremendous value That we need to stop comparing ourselves to competitors and strive to be the best The key changes in the business aviation and FBO space Guest Bio Anthony Banome is the FBO Director of Sales for Fontainebleau Aviation. Banome joined the company in 2017 to help manage, grow, and overlap all aspects of Fontainebleau’s brand new facility and services. Building a strong network and providing first-class hangar, office, and fuel services are the primary focus. Anthony received his education from Saint John’s University Tobin College of Business in New York City. Before breaking into the corporate world, he taught Mathematics for the New York City Department of Education. After teaching, he honed his FBO management and aviation skills during his ten years as Director of Sales at Meridian – located at Teterboro Airport. Anthony was presented the “40 under Forty” award by Airport Business in 2013 for being one of “the best and brightest” in the industry. He looks to bring the same passion and analytical approach to Fontainebleau Aviation. Banome is also a volunteer and active member in Humble Heroes; a group of committed volunteers joining forces with members of the FDNY to achieve one common goal- to lift the spirits of ill and grieving children. Disguised as the most infamous superheroes of our time, they visit local hospitals and grief centers to bring joy and inspire kids to keep fighting life’s injustices. To find out more about Anthony, visit: https://fontainebleauaviation.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-banome-39036341/ You can also call him on O.(305) 685-4646 or C.(718) 344-3638 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 the end of New Year Resolution Season. How are yours coming along? On this episode, we talk about eliminating resolutions and substituting them with small, actionable habits and routines that get results. Tie your goals to a metric- it gives you something more concrete to work on. -Matt Johnson Takeaways + Tactics Resolutions are thoughts and wishes, while habits are action. Create simple habits. Results require commitments. Commitments require conscious decisions. Be intentional! Tie your goals to easy actions in order to achieve metrics which give you something concrete to work towards. Everyone can walk 100 more yards or make 3 more phone calls a day. 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 abrupt dismissal of Boeing CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, proves that all jobs have a shelf life. How can we extend ours and is there any risk in having conversations with other industry players? On this episode, we share the power of networking and how to make our career opportunities unlimited. Go to conferences, and pay your way if need be. See what’s out there and learn something. -Craig Picken Takeaways + Tactics Don’t get complacent. No matter how comfortable you are there is always a chance that could change. Every company is for sale! Conversations, Networking and Industry Conferences are essential to build relationships and learn about career opportunities. Read, Read and Read some more. Knowledge about your industry is power! 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. Call-to-Action - For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw. To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/.

Creating a better team, with a clear vision, is like riding a bike. It’s a simple matter of ensuring everyone gets a smooth and comfortable ride. Rich Allen, author, speaker and business advisor at Tour de Profit, Rich Allen, shares why building a business is like riding a bike. If any function of a bike goes down, it becomes unrideable. No part is more important than another - whether on a bicycle or in a business. -Rich Allen Takeaways + Tactics Business is like a bike. If one component of a bike stops working, it’s trouble ahead. For a smooth ride, every team member has to be the right fit. Set the vision and steer the business. It’s impossible to arrive at the right destination if we don’t know where we’re going. Think of hiring processes and onboarding programs to the business like a bicycle seat. Make it as comfortable as possible for new talent to join our ranks. We also discussed: How to motivate team members Why we need stricter hiring processes in place When culture is more important than skill Guest Bio Rich Allen is a business advisor at Tour de Profit with a mission to put an end to small business failure. As an engaging speaker focused on inspiring businesses and helping them strategize new ideas, Rich is passionate about helping small business owners tackle the challenges they face in a competitive marketplace. In his sessions, he teaches business owners how to create profitable, sustainable businesses driven by precision-selected, high performance teams. To find out more about Rich and Tour de Profit, head to tourdeprofit.com/aerospace 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.

Negotiations can be uncomfortable, difficult and even contentious. Former Hostage Negotiator Derek Gaunt, author of “Ego, Authority, Failure”, teaches business leaders to gain trust and negotiate evenly when emotions are running high. Every difficult conversation is a guided discovery process. -Derek Gaunt Takeaways + Tactics A negotiation is nothing more than a difficult conversation. Discomfort and negative emotions impede our ability to cognitively process that which is in front of us. Awkwardness promotes accelerated learning because it forces the brain to focus more. When feeling awkward, our brain is telling us there’s no synaptic connection developed for the skill. Most of us are intermittent or rebuttal listeners. We get so focused on the threat, demand or request, that we don’t try to find out which is driving it. It is impossible to be angry and afraid if you’re genuinely curious about what the other side has to say. Guest Bio Derek is a lecturer, expert negotiation trainer, coach at Black Swan Group and author of Ego, Authority, Failure: Using Emotional Intelligence Like a Hostage Negotiator to Succeed as a Leader. He has 29 years of law enforcement experience - 20 of which as a team member, leader, and then commander of hostage negotiations teams in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He is a hostage negotiation and incident command subject matter expert who frequently speaks at hostage negotiations and SWAT conferences across the country. As a member of the Black Swan Group, he is a negotiation trainer and personal coach. Derek has trained throughout the US and around the world, instructing business organizations on how to apply hostage negotiations practices and principles to their world. Derek presents seminars and in-house training programs in a variety of environments. His presentations are engaging and filled with useful techniques for understanding human behavior and navigating difficult conversations. His training has helped leaders and their organizations increase their performance by changing the way they think about communicating one person to another. For more information visit https://www.blackswanltd.com/ and buy his book Ego, Authority, Failure: Using Emotional Intelligence Like a Hostage Negotiator to Succeed as a Leader 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.

Peak performance is what gets us to the next level, but it doesn’t come easy. What do peak performers have in common? David Butler, Performance Coach, World-Class Athlete and experienced business leader, discusses what it takes for us to reach our goals. Part of mental toughness is understanding that there’s a long-term benefit and a short-term pain in getting what you want to achieve. -David Butler Takeaways + Tactics True resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and re-engage life with enthusiasm The reason people quit is because the cost of what they want to achieve isn’t worth the end result Mindfulness is the ability to look at the present and let go of the past In most organizations, trust is only surface deep. The distrust underneath is what makes it hard for people to form cohesive teams Guest Bio David is the Senior VP of Leadership and Organizational Development. He is a recognized thought leader in peak performance strategies with over 30 years of executive leadership in human capital performance. He develops solutions for addressing leadership and organizational challenges and is an elite performance consultant for Olympic athletes and military special forces operators. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Transitioning to a leadership role can be overwhelming. Are you mentally prepared for the task? President of Ordinary Hero Coaching Jason Roncoroni shares best practices to transition into bigger roles. People who adapt will thrive, and those who don’t will be left behind. -Craig Picken Takeaways + Tactics Stop attaching identity (title) to positions. To thrive, we have to become our most authentic selves. Effective leaders are those who emulate the type of leadership they have thrived under. Stop playing it safe. People often avoid leadership positions because they fear change. Guest Bio Jason Roncoroni is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and former battalion commander from the United States Army. He served 33 months in combat over 3 deployments and has the unique distinction of having transitioned from the military twice. He left the army as a junior captain only to return to the military after 9/11, and he most recently retired after 21 years of active duty service. Since leaving the military, Jason has become a nationally recognized thought leader who has advised senior military leaders, policy makers, and government officials on military transition and reintegration. Jason has also authored white papers and won several awards for innovations related to veteran health and military transition. He has been invited to be a core member of international collaborative efforts created to address issues related to military transition and civilian reintegration, and recently co-authored the book Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration. As the founder of Ordinary Hero Coaching, Inc., he is a nationally recognized executive coach and leadership consultant. He is Commandant's List graduate from the United States Military Academy, the recipient of a Master of Science in I/O Psychology from Capella, and graduated valedictorian from his MBA class at the University of North Carolina's Keenan-Flagler Business School. His notable military awards include the Legion of Merit, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. Jason lives in North Carolina with his wife - Jill, his two sons - Aidan and Everett, and his dog - Marley. To find out more about Jason, head to: https://www.OrdinaryHeroCoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonroncoroni/ You can also email him on [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.

Military tactics can easily transition to business and help build strong teams. Accomplished author, businessman and USAF pilot talks about the importance of teamwork and how, as leaders, we should be interacting with those around us. When it comes to surviving a disaster, it’s not what you do at the time of crisis, it’s what you’ve done prior to that. -Lt Colonel Kevin Sweeney Takeaways + Tactics As individuals, it is easy to focus on climbing the corporate ladder. But success comes when we work in teams. Empower every team member to say something if they see a problem because, when disaster strikes, everyone is at risk. Train teams to anticipate problems to ensure they can handle pressure before they find themselves in a difficult position. Guest Bio Kevin Sweeney, 'The Colonel,' has been a leader of men and women for over 30 years. He is a leadership expert who speaks to corporations and associations on performance under pressure, decisive leadership, and how to become the teammate your customers covet. He is the author of two books, Conversations with the Colonel: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and Wisdom & Pressure Cooker Confidence, How to Lead When the Heat is On. 'The Colonel' is the only person to have ever landed a KC-135, the military version of the Boeing 707, after the two engines on his left wing came totally off the airplane — and he did it at night, at maximum gross weight on a Desert Storm Combat mission. He has also been an Executive at a Fortune 50 company, a major software company, and an all conference athlete in college. To find out more about Kevin, visit https://sweeneyspeaks.com/about/ You can also email him on [email protected] Or call him directly on 8172518767 Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

The end of the 20th century brought the end of job security. It’s now evident… Your job or your best employee can quickly disappear in the keystrokes of a simple email. It’s for that reason why we should NEVER STOP HAVING CONVERSATIONS! Companies should always be recruiting, because you never know when your talent will leave. The last thing you need is to say ‘what now?’ -Craig Picken Takeaways + Tactics Never have a mindset that all the seats are full. No matter how good your current team, keep recruiting. You never know when someone might leave. Always be having conversations. They’re the best way to network and gain an understanding of the world around you. Continual conversations show that we’re open to change and show other industry players we are adaptable. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Many find themselves unhappy in their career paths and get lost when switching directions. Accomplished author and career coach, Michael Alan Tate, discusses how to be more intentional in career planning and how to effectively change career paths. Get intentional about what you want. -Michael Alan Tate Takeaways + Tactics Family history is a great guide Putting personal skills and values in writing helps to identify individual strengths and weaknesses. Writing is a strong tool in intentional career planning Gravitate to the language you love being around and follow its direction to the most suitable industry Guest Bio Michael Alan Tate is the President of On the Same Page Consulting, Inc. As a consultant passionate about career transitioning, Michael has authored The White Shirt: Find Your Ideal Career with the Secrets Hidden in This Ancient Story, Design a Life that Works, On the Same Page, Faith Matters, and is the writer behind the Leadership and Life Journal blog. He has a formal education in psychology, education and religion, and holds professional certifications including Benchmark® facilitator for the Center for Creative Leadership and Birkman Method® Consultant. Michael is also a Compression Planning® storyboard planning specialist and graphics facilitator, and has had active involvement in the Institute for Career Certification International Institute, having served as CFO and sitting Governor on the ICCI worldwide board. To find out more about Michael, his work and his books, visit: https://michaelalantate.com/ https://whiteshirtbook.com/ Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

To BE world-class means understanding what world-class is. To get there requires a complete understanding of the world around you and seeing how others do it differently. Indeed, people and companies may think they’re good! But if they’re not looking beyond themselves, and understanding what the competition is doing, then they’ll never really know. The only way to know you’re world class is by constantly looking at what your competitors are doing. -Craig Picken Takeaways + Tactics Look around! World-class means taking journeys beyond the comfort zone. World class today doesn’t guarantee being world class tomorrow. It’s a constant battle for improvement. Nobody gets better via preaching the status quo. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Aircraft Deliveries, Declining Lease Rate, Airbus, MAX, Safety and more! Richard Aboulafia, one of the world’s premier aviation analysts, offers his thoughts on the state of our industry. There might be a time and place for breaking rules, but there needs to be a different mindset in Washington when it comes to airplane safety. -Richard Aboulafia Takeaways + Tactics The Airbus A220 was corporate suicide for Bombardier, but will become a premier aircraft under the Airbus banner Boeing MAX, WILL be a very successful airplane, but the drama around it will dramatically change how aircraft are designed and certified throughout the world. Commercial airlines are changing the world in more ways than most people can envision Guest bio Richard Aboulafia is the Vice President of Analysis at Teal Group. Richard is also a well respected writer in the aviation industry, and in addition to writing and editing Teal’s World Military and Civil Aircraft Briefing, he has published numerous articles in Aviation Week and Aerospace America, among others. Richard is considered a foremost industry authority by trade and news publications, and has made a number of appearances on news programs and at conferences. To find out more about Richard, visit RichardAboulafia.com You can also email him directly at [email protected] Or call his office at 1-703-385-1992 extension 103. Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Accelerator programs help start-up companies and major aerospace corporations develop technology. Will Benton, Venture and Ecosystem Developer at ATI Boeing Accelerator discusses start-ups, industry investment and the future. Accelerator programs offer participants a lot of value, like the varied network of individuals they provide participants access to. -Wil Benton Takeaways + Tactics ATI Boeing Accelerator connects start-up companies with investors and helps establish investment relationships. For both big players and start-ups, accelerator programs offer access to a vast network of individuals who bring valuable experience Industry giants view accelerator programs as a way to access and develop cutting-edge innovations Guest Bio Wil Benton is one of the two program directors at Ignite. He is currently delivering the ATI Boeing Accelerator as the Director of Venture and Ecosystem. Wil is no stranger to accelerator programs, having developed a number of them across the UK. Wil is passionate about mentoring start-ups, and has personally invested in around 15 businesses to date. To find out more about Wil, visit https://uk.linkedin.com/in/fatkidonfire You can also find him on twitter: @fatkidonfire To sign up for the next ATI Boeing Accelerator Program (held September 2020), visit https://atiboeingaccelerator.com/ Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.

Drake Massa will be someone’s rising star. At 12 years old he set a goal to make $100,000, and he hit it. Today, he’s a college junior who works full time, is paying for his own college, is taking a FULL load of classes, and is excelling. He’s why I’m bullish on the future! Co-founder of Massa Landscape Design, a Project Manager with Elm Builders and a Finance and Marketing Strategy major at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, Drake shares the steps for companies to attract top, future talent. Offer recruits open opportunities- they want to work somewhere they feel they can move around and make an impact. -Drake Massa Takeaways + Tactics Get involved with mentoring opportunities at universities and training programs. It’s a great way to meet those who are most motivated to excel. Offer solid opportunities for growth. Even at entry-level, young talent wants to make an impact. Be ever-present. Ongoing recruiting is not a one-time, on campus event. Guest Bio Drake Massa is the co-owner of Massa Landscape Design, a company founded with his brother while they were both teenagers. He is currently interning at Elm Builders as an assistant project manager. Drake is also in the process of completing his double concentration in finance and marketing strategy at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, while being part of the Cameron Executive Network, where he is being mentored by Craig Picken. To find out more about Drake, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/drake-massa-321316120 Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.