The Road to AirVenture

The last few weeks leading up to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh have been super busy. The Pinnacle Air Network (www.pinnacle.aero) consists of some of the longest-tenured and successful MROs, FBOs, charter, and aircraft sales organizations in business aviation, and I’ve been flying all over North America attending exciting events centering around the Pinnacle members and partners.

A few years ago, Pinnacle saw a need to start a subcommittee focusing on human resources leaders within the network. This subcommittee has grown exponentially in numbers and activity. Within the business aviation environment, it is the most robust group of human resources leaders I have seen. This year, the network held its annual HR leadership meeting (called PANL, Pinnacle Air Network Leaders) in Fort Lauderdale at Banyan Air Service’s Executive Airport terminal building. The group took advantage of the opportunity to fine-tune HR best practices, discuss new software programs, learn about new hiring practices, and build on the camaraderie developed over the past few years. What this means for owners and operators of business aircraft is that they’re laser-focused on customers’ needs by making sure their employees are taken care of first.

From Fort Lauderdale, the next stop was Fargo, North Dakota. I had never been to Fargo, so it was beneficial not only to see a new place but also to visit a world-class Pinnacle Air Network member’s facility at Fargo Jet Center (FJC). Last July at EAA AirVenture, Will Cutter and I welcomed Jim Sweeney, president of FJC, into the Pinnacle Air Network. Not only has Jim become active as a Pinnacle executive committee member, but FJC’s human resources leader, Lindsey Stacklie, has become instrumental in the PANL team’s growth and vigor in a short amount of time. Network principal members and their guests attend the Pinnacle annual meeting each year, usually in the summer, and they enjoy the personal industry connections in addition to the preferred partner presentations received at the three-day event. Pinnacle welcomed NBAA SVP of events, Jo Damato; Boeing Distribution’s Joel Givens; StandardAero’s vice president, Joe Capra; Greteman Group president, Ashley Bowen Cook; and their newest preferred partner, Laversab. Lindsey Stacklie gave the group an update from our PANL meeting in Fort Lauderdale, as well.

Last month, T&T highlighted another Pinnacle member, Stevens Aerospace & Defense, for reaching the phenomenal milestone of 75 years of success in our competitive industry. At the Fargo meeting, Stevens’ vice president of sales, Phil Stearns, accepted Pinnacle’s annual award for excellence in engine overhauls and hot section inspections through StandardAero. Congratulations to Phil and everyone at Stevens Aerospace & Defense for so many years of success and continued leadership in our industry.

Next stop…Prince Edward Island, Canada (PEI). I am heading there as I type this month’s Editor’s Brief. Each year, StandardAero hosts a customer event and airshow at PEI, and this year I expect it to be as exciting as ever. After PEI, I look forward to seeing everyone at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh once again. The fun never stops.

Fly safe.