Executive Profile: Conversations with the brains behind Advanced Air.

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK TO US TODAY FOR OUR INAUGURAL ISSUE.

Thank you! This is exciting!

WHAT DO YOU DO AT ADVANCED AIR?

Everything related to the business with the exception of Compliance and Flight Operations, and that’s by choice. The majority of my time is spent on Business Development and Community Relations.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY?

There’s no such thing as a typical day and that’s what I love about it; however, I’m consistently engaged in contract reviews, customer engagement, project management, and the day-to-day business tasks including data analysis, airline & airport reports, and of course keeping up with the flood of emails!

HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET INTO BUSINESS AVIATION AS A CAREER?

It is possible that I’ve always had aviation in my blood as I was raised around commercial airports and airplanes. My father made a career in Customer Service and Reservations with Continental Airlines, so I became an airline passenger at a very young age. To me, the flight was part of the vacation, not just a means to get there. When I was in my 20’s, the opportunity to enter the world of private aviation came my way and I jumped in. This was the beginning of what has been a completely stimulating and rewarding career, including roles in Operations Management, Charter Management, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, Customer Service and Client Relations, Aircraft Sales Administration, Accounting and Finance. Along the way, I met Levi Stockton early in his flying career, and in 2017, I joined his team of true aviation entrepreneurs. We discussed my vision of a role at Advanced Air, and I said I wanted to be part of everything listed above.

WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB?

In order to stay relevant, we need to adapt and evolve to the evolution of the industry, and a lot of that comes with things I’ve never done before. The challenge is learning and figuring out how to do them, which takes time, research and a LOT of patience.

WHICH PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

Funny enough, what challenges me the most in my job is also the most rewarding. It’s also very gratifying to witness and experience feedback from customers and the communities we serve.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

One of the proudest moments in my career has been working with such a resourceful team at Advanced Air and

“First, be fearless! Never be afraid to ask for what you want and go after it. Be a “sponge- head” and soak up all you can along the way.

pulling off a logistical improbability by successfully launching our first Essential Air Service route with three new airport stations away from home base. We had a mere two months to hire and train station personnel; implement and post a flight schedule; open off-site stations and call centers to manage reservations, ticketing, baggage handling and aircraft marshaling; refine safety and security protocols; design website marketing and signage; and multitudes of other undertakings required for initiating service as a young commuter airline. To add to the challenge, it was during the holiday season, so we were working around vacations and family gatherings in November and December at every turn. We pulled off a successful launch on January 6, 2019 and that continues to this day.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN BUSINESS AVIATION?

First, be fearless! Never be afraid to ask for what you want and go after it. Be a “sponge-head” and soak up all you can along the way. Understand that you never know everything; there is always something new to learn. Every experience, every success, every failure or fallback is a learning opportunity and you will have millions in your career. Exhibit confidence and trustworthiness, and you will earn the trust of your team. Build bridges, not walls, and never burn a bridge as it can be a very small world. Always think and act with integrity. Last, but not least, remember to share what you have learned; turn around and look behind you to help the next one in line.