Choosing Profile Stories

There are several ways I choose people to profile in our magazine. Sometimes I get a lead from one of our advertisers who deals with a lot of directors of maintenance. Sometimes I meet at maintenance manager at a trade show or event and realize they would make a good cover story. Sometimes I get a recommendation from a co-worker or employee.

One such recommendation came from a D.O.M. reader last year. Here is part of the e-mail he sent:

Hello, Joe!

I don’t know if you remember me, but we were classmates at ENMU a few years back. I am proud to report that I earned my associate degree in 2009 and I’m currently working toward the BAAS. However, the purpose of my note is not to give you a progress report on my education, but rather, I would like to make the recommendation of a manager to be profiled in your prestigious magazine.

His name is Steve King, and he is the director of maintenance for a Part 91 operation in Atlanta. Steve has been with Cox Enterprises Flight Operations for more than 30 years and has been the DOM since 1998.  When he started as a young A&P mechanic back in 1981, there were only two people in the maintenance side of the house. Currently, our staff consists of eight technicians, four line service personnel and one administrative coordinator. During his tenure here at Cox, he has seen the department grow from a one-aircraft operation to our current fleet of five corporate jets, and he was instrumental in the completion of our hangar which was built back in 2001.   

Steve is also an ENMU alumnus, having received his associate degree in 2008, and he is a huge proponent of an educated workforce. All of his technicians hold IA certificates as well as NCATT endorsements as certified Aircraft Electronics Technicians (AETs). Four members of his staff have earned associate degrees and all eight technicians have been awarded FlightSafety International’s “Master Technician” titles on at least two different aircraft types. Not only does Steve hold an A&P and IA licenses, but he is also a Master Technician three times over. Just last year, he earned his NCATT endorsement even though he does not actively “turn wrenches” during the day-to-day operations. 

His greatest attribute is his commitment to aviation and his willingness to give back to the industry that he loves. Recognized as an innovative leader, Steve has served on the NBAA Hawker Technical Committee and the Gulfstream Customer Advisory Board, and he is currently a member of the NBAA Maintenance Committee where he serves as the chairman of the TRACS sub-committee. As you probably know, this last group is dedicated to promoting technical education and training by offering current and aspiring maintenance technicians the opportunity to receive maintenance technical rewards and career scholarships (TRACS). Under his leadership, TRACS scholarships have increased from $80,000 annually to more than $300,000 given away each year to motivated aviation mechanics. Tirelessly, Steve travels to the A&P schools in the Southeast to speak to students about corporate aviation and to encourage them to apply for the scholarships offered by the NBAA. 

For the past six years, Steve has offered a paid summer internship for one lucky student in the Atlanta area, and as a result of his influence, the senior leadership at Cox has recently agreed to allow two interns each year from this point forward.  Needless to say, Steve’s guidance and direction has had a profound effect on many aspiring A&P technicians and it is because of his exemplary dedication to his chosen profession that I believe he would be a worthy candidate to be recognized in D.O.M.

Joe, I appreciate your consideration of this recommendation. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Kind regards,

Lee Bradshaw
Assistant Maintenance Manager
Cox Enterprises

I have had the pleasure of knowing Steve King for many years and have always been impressed with his professionalism, work ethic and desire to give back to the industry. I could think of nobody more deserving to be featured as this month’s profile story.

If you work with a director of maintenance you feel is deserving of a profile story in D.O.M. magazine, be sure to let us know!

Thanks for reading!

Joe Escobar

P.S. If you are going to be at NBAA2013, I invite you to stop by our booth, C12634 and visit with us. We enjoy hearing from you!