Shows / The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Aerospace Executive Podcast
How Top Aerospace Executives Set the Vision, Grow Their Business & Develop Talent
Episodes
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Win and Learn: Why You Don’t Have to Wait to Fail to Get Better w/ Rob Houghton
After the Eagles’ Super Bowl LVII loss in 2023, Jalen Hurts said, “You either win or you learn.” It was a powerful reflection on turning setbacks into lessons…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
What Do You Do When Your Top Performer Is Dragging the Team Down
Every business leader dreams of building a team of A-players—but what happens when your top performer can’t seem to collaborate with the rest of the team? When…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
New Trade Policy, New Challenges: What Leaders Need to Know w/ Dr. Steve Horan
A shift in leadership often brings a shift in economic direction, and with that, a wave of uncertainty for business leaders. Recent changes in trade policy…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
"Complacency Creeps In When We Make Hard Things Look Easy”: The State of Flight Safety w/Bob Waltz
Once again, the aviation industry is in the spotlight, but this time for all the wrong reasons. With the recent accidents and mishaps, safety management…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Business Aviation’s Fight for Safety, Tech, and Its Reputation w/Andrew Broom
Business aviation is a critical part of the U.S. economy, yet it’s often misunderstood as a luxury for the wealthy. While some may criticize the corporate…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Tariffs in Aerospace: Will the Market Soar or Stall? w/ Bill Alderman
In aerospace and defense, predictability, stability and certainty are the fuel all deals run on. Buyers purchase companies expecting a sure thing that will…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Spy Tactics for Business Success: Leadership & Negotiation Lessons from a Former CIA Officer w/Michelle Rigby Assad [Replay]
The aerospace industry thrives on precision, strategy, and resilience—the same qualities that define elite intelligence operations. But how do the skills…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Business Jet Market: Challenges, Opportunities & The Leap into Entrepreneurship w/Mike Mikolay
2024 was a solid year for business aviation, and 2025 looks even better. But let’s be real—owning, operating, and maintaining private jets is more complex (and…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Great Bosses Can Impact You For Life, Here’s Why w/ Mark C. Fava
If there’s one thing that can propel or stall a career, it’s the boss you work for. A great leader can impact you for a lifetime. They create a winning…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
"We're The Ritz-Carlton for Forgotten Inventory": Inside the Oyster Aero Success Story w/ Jeff Jerge
In the aircraft parts market, some SKUs fly off the shelves easily, but that’s not the case for every part. Some parts sit in warehouses for years, gathering…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Beyond Flight School: How to Train Talent For the Future of Aviation w/ Tysen Pina
An aviation education can turn into an incredible career with countless opportunities to put passion and talent to work. But that requires training programs…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
A Year of Innovation: Highlights from Aerospace Industry Leaders
In the aerospace industry, growth and innovation aren’t just buzzwords—they're vital for survival in one of the most competitive sectors in the world. This…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Honoring Ben Baldanza: A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation in the Airline Industry
The airline industry is renowned for its safety, but the pandemic threw a curveball into the mix. The world was forced to grapple with new realities of travel…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Happy Mechanics, Better Results: The Jets MRO Story w/ Suresh Narayanan
The business jet maintenance industry faces a persistent challenge: getting aircraft out on time and on budget seems nearly impossible. At the core of this…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Unlocking India’s Potential: How Jeh Aerospace is Solving Global Supply Chain Challenges in Aerospace and Defense w/ Vishal Sanghavi
As the aerospace and defense industry continues to face supply resiliency issues coupled with talent shortages, India has emerged as a solution. Many marquee…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Recognition Fuels Performance: How to Lead From the Heart w/ Mike Manazir
Many people think military leadership is as simple as giving orders and people just blindly following them. They couldn’t be more mistaken. While people will…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Secrets of Elite Teams: How the Blue Angels Achieve High Performance w/ George Dom
Whether you’re in the Blue Angels, on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier or an elite athlete, being on a high performing team isn’t about you. Your success…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Evolving MRO Industry: West Star Aviation's Formula for Success w/ Stephen Maiden and Allen McReynolds
Airplanes aren’t retiring the way they used to. They are more sophisticated than ever before. They are staying around longer and they are getting larger with…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
3 Strikes, Market Out? The State of Aerospace M&A w/ Bill Alderman
With the recent Boeing and Textron strikes, it seems the business of manufacturing new planes just can’t catch a break. These labor woes are just another…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Unlocking Innovation in Business Jet Interiors: How RCO Engineering Pivoted from Automotive to Aerospace w/ Jeff Simek
In the highly competitive and specialized world of business jet interiors, standing out with something truly unique is no small feat. The challenge of…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Pilot Shortage: A Crisis 25 Years in the Making & How to Solve It w/Chris Broyhill [REPLAY]
The pilot shortage might feel like a relatively recent thing, but it has been decades in the making. The foundation had been buckling for a long time and now…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
How to Beat the Competition With Strong Aviation Branding w/ Melissa Thomas
In the world of business branding, there are 2 kinds of organizations. The ones that talk about what they do, and the ones that focus on what makes them…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Culture of Safety: Why We've Enjoyed a Mishap-Free Decade w/Bob Waltz (Replay)
Commercial Airlines in the United States have achieved an amazing accomplishment– 10 years without a major mishap. This is an enviable safety record that is a…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
How to Gain the Love, Respect & Loyalty of The People You Lead w/Brett Crozier (Replay)
Leading an aircraft carrier with a 5,000 person crew is like running an entire city. The flight deck is dangerous, the number of moving parts is countless, the…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
How Harley-Davidson Went From a Struggling Company to Iconic Brand w/ Ken Schmidt
If all you’re known for is what you do, you’ve basically rendered yourself uncompetitive. -Ken Schmidt For more aerospace industry news & commentary…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Life or Death Leadership: How to Build High Trust Workplaces w/ George Dom
Trust is really the water that all relationships swim in. When the trust is high, the water is clear and it’s a wonderful experience. When trust isn’t there…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Million Dollar Career Series: The Secret to Recruiting Rockstars to Your Organization w/Robert Houghton REPLAY
Everyone wants to have A-players in their teams, but when it comes to recruiting those rockstars, many of us don’t even know where to start. Does recruitment…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
How to Build the Kind of Team that Takes Your Business to the Next Level w/Carl Gould REPLAY
In order to build a successful, scalable business that sets us free, we have to first build a really great team. Our teams and the way they operate dictate the…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Never Experience Another Crisis: How to Reverse a Disaster w/ Patrick Hardy
Disruptions, crises, and unexpected challenges are inevitable in business. While we may not be able to prevent a crisis, we can control whether it escalates…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Integrity and Intensity: How to Address the Inefficiencies of Part 135 w/ Mike Winston
Disruptions, crises, and unexpected challenges are inevitable in business. While we may not be able to prevent a crisis, we can control whether it escalates…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Progress, Not Punishment: How to Make Business Aviation Safer w/ Jessie Naor
We don’t like to talk about it often, but when it comes to safety, business aviation doesn't have the perfect record. Anytime an accident happens, it affects…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Only Way to Make Money in the Charter Business w/ John Matthews
Operating airplanes is a TOUGH business! Complicated machines, delicate financing structures, ever changing asset values, and other complexities that can tank…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Down to the Studs: How to Transform a 60-Year Old Company w/ John Cuomo
Repositioning a 60-year-old distribution company - during COVID no less - is a Herculean effort. Considering that VSE Corporation’s market cap has gone from…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Up in the Air (Longer): Why the Aviation Aftermarket is White Hot Right Now w/Bill Alderman
What happens when the aviation industry faces the gargantuan task of catching up to a constrained supply chain? The opportunity shifts. Everyone has accepted…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Honest Organizations Achieve More..Here's How to Create One w/Steve Gaffney
The most conflict-ridden, unproductive and ineffective organizations have one thing in common - a severe lack of honesty. Getting the unsaid said is critical -…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Setna iO's Success Strategy: Soaring Through Aviation's 20-Year Supply Crisis w/David Chaimovitz
Running a fast-moving parts-trading business with 200 employees. Maintaining a hawk-like focus on demand, every line item and deal that crosses your desk…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Hiring for Experience & Wisdom Confidently: How to Recruit & Manage the More Seasoned People in the Workforce (REPLAY)
Today’s workforce is teeming with high-level talent possessing a wealth of wisdom and decades of experience. Do leaders have the confidence and maturity to…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Opportunities for Growth: How to Eliminate Friction Between Millennials & Boomers (REPLAY)
In many organizations, the gap between the generations is a point of conflict and friction but it doesn’t have to be. Sure, millennials/Gen-Z see work…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Everyone’s Got a Headache: The Biggest Challenges in Aviation Right Now w/George Ferguson
Before the pandemic much of the industry ran on cruise control. Unfortunately, covid and the post-covid era exposed a lot of underlying weaknesses. From raw…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Balance of Power is Shifting: Are You Doing Enough to Stand Out in the Eyes of the Top Talent in Our Industry? (REPLAY)
The skilled American worker has the resourcefulness to create better opportunities for themselves, so they’re not going to tolerate being treated poorly, even…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Get the Unsaid Said: The Secret to a High-Achieving Organization w/Steven Gaffney
What separates the companies knocking it out of the ballpark and those running in place? Oftentimes it’s just simple communication. Lack of achievement isn’t…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
We’re in a Bifurcated Market: Everyone’s Thriving Except Boeing (REPLAY)
During the pandemic, aviation was in a world of hurt and it took a long time to recover. Now that we’re out of that, everyone is making money…except Boeing and…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
“Three Acquisitions & An Appetite For More”: The Ultimate Entrepreneurial Opportunity w/Scott Ashton
They are considered “too small”! That is, until there’s an issue with a critical component they supply. Then they become the backbone of the industry. Small…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Behaviors, Not Buzzwords: The Secret to a Culture of Excellence w/Ann Rhoades
There are two ways to build company culture: The first is intentional and proactive. The second is by winging it with the hopes that nothing goes wrong, which…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
'Look Where People Aren't Looking': How to Find Opportunity in a Dislocated Market w/David Yu
The commercial aircraft and engine market may be dislocated but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for discerning investors. In many ways, the lack…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Excellence Not World Domination: The Strategy Behind OneSky’s Success w/Bob Sullivan
From pilot pay and recruiting to acquisitions and maintenance scope - OneSky Flight has seen a steady stream of BIG wins. These are huge feats accomplished…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
MRO Is a Fun Business: Weaving Efficiency With Legacy at Elliott Aviation w/Dan Edwards
Efficiency is mission critical in the high-touch, high-mix, low-volume world of mid-sized MROs. Doing the job right and doing it quickly is the name of the…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Post & Pray Isn’t Good Enough: How to Attract & Retain Top Talent (REPLAY)
Most organizations don’t put enough time into the culture and mindset that makes them a great place to work and they miss out on talent because of it. It’s one…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The One Question Companies and Recruiters Fail to Ask Candidates
“I’ve got this job, want it or not?” is the absolute worst way to recruit an A+ player. Whether you’re a recruiter or a company looking for talent, the…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
”Relevant and Steady Wins the Race”: The Hardest Way to Grow An Aviation Company w/Clay Lacy Aviation
We’ve all seen the flash-in-the-pan companies that take the market by storm but then burn out fast. It’s rare for a privately held company to stay relevant for…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Business Aviation: The Good News and the Bad News w/Doug Gollan
Private aviation saw a huge COVID boom and many people who decided to fly private aren’t looking back. This is a double-edged sword. Private aviation is a…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Russian Titanium, High Strength Steel: The Supply Chain Problems No One’s Talking About w/Kevin Michaels
The vulnerability of the aerospace supply chain is something we’re all well aware of. But when focusing on specific commodities, a worrying picture emerges…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The American Airlines and JSX Feud IS NOT About Safety…This Is What It’s Actually About w/Paul Lange
The dust up between American Airlines and JSX is an interesting airline industry development. The pilot’s unions say it’s all in the name of safety, but that…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Million Dollar Career Series: If Your Goal Is To Become A CEO, You Need To Think Like One, First! w/Robert Houghton (REPLAY)
Many people talk about wanting to be leaders, but a very small number actually turn that dream into reality. The harsh truth is, most people won’t become CEOs…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Aviation Whipsaw: Who Wins and Loses in a Chaotic, Fragile Market? w/Andy Mansell
Economic fragility, long-running supply chain woes, long lead times, and labor. These are just a few forces exerting massive pressure on aviation. In this…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The Key to Cultivating a Brand Image That Resonates with A-Player Recruits w/Bryan Adams (REPLAY)
Every business wants to onboard top talent, but are we actively positioning our organizations as the type of place people want to work, or are we letting that…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
Become the Focused Expert: 10 Steps to a Successful Career (REPLAY)
Success is easy to find when it’s broken down into the basics. What are the 10 key ingredients of a successful career? How do you avoid the common pitfalls? In…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
The State of Charter: Why the Covid Sugar High Continues to Be a Positive for the Industry w/Vincent Kavanagh
Covid drove the demand for charter aviation off the charts. Undoubtedly, we saw a sugar rush, and even though it’s tapered off, the industry is still…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
A Rising Industry Star is Preparing for the Space Gold Rush w/Jon Lusczakoski
The growth and financial opportunity in space isn’t going away anytime soon - in fact, it’s just getting started. Many people might think it’s just a…
- The Aerospace Executive Podcast
”Always An Adapting Environment”: How to Succeed in a Market of Contradictions w/Chuck Adams and Corbin Metz
Covid, Inflation, Supply Chain interruptions and more have caused very volatile markets. A&D has also seen its share of volatility…and it is ever adapting to…