The Leaders of Aviation

Jeff Lively
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  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Leaders of Aviation

The aviation industry is responsible for so much, from bridging countries, continents, and cultures, to making international trade possible. We all know the big names in aviation, from Boeing to Duncan, but what about all the mom-and-pop aviation businesses? The Leaders of Aviation podcast is here to give a voice to those very people. Interviewing aviation small business owners and other aviation personnel, we’ll hear their stories and get a glimpse into their world. Through these stories of triumphs as well as setbacks, we hope to inspire the current and next generation.

  1. 05/31/2022

    Ep 21: Atom Miller - CEO of 69 Cards Co, Coach and Mentor, Web Developer

    If anyone is equipped to be a coach and mentor, it’s Atom Miller.  He’s had a number of curveballs in life that forced him to pivot and dig deep.  Over a course of 5 years Atom went through a divorce, lost his brother, and lost his ex-wife. During this time Atom was a chef, opening his own restaurant, and competing for another. He did marketing and design on the side, but on a very small scale.  In 2013, Atom’s son was shot 12 times and would spend years in the hospital. This forced Atom to stop everything he was doing and start his own business out of necessity. For the next 4 years, Atom would struggle with his faith, grow his faith, and learn a lot about himself.  Atom would go from wanting to take his own life in 2013 to starting a legitimate business in 2017.  He had to take his mentality from ‘if it’s gonna be, it’s up to me’, to giving his troubles to the Lord. Atom took small, deliberate steps and rose above his circumstances.  It’s why he’s able to talk to others about mental toughness and clarity. Now he enjoys helping others through his program, Your Kingdom Coach. What You’ll Learn: The story behind the name 69 Card Co. -& it’s not what you think! Why Atom’s son was shot 12 times and how he survived. Who paid the $1.6million hospital bill and why. The key to winning in Google organically. Favorite Quote: “It was out of necessity, my business journey and how it began.” -Atom Miller

    53 min

  2. 05/18/2022

    Ep: 20 Mike Howard; Founder and CEO of JetSetter

    Mike Howard has been in sales since 6th grade; being an entrepreneur was in his blood.  In his adult years he helped to grow other people’s companies before he decided to grow his own.  Mike was inspired to start a cleaning company to be able to hire friends and family and pay them a decent wage.  He says he’s always been passionate about creating opportunities for others. Down the road, Mike was introduced to the world of chartering private jets.  Just like his other jobs, Mike got into this industry because of who he knows.  Making connections is key to growing as an entrepreneur.  Mike knew nothing about aviation before this opportunity, but he knew people that did, and that was enough.  Now his business, JetSetter, is thriving. What You’ll Learn: How Mike started his entrepreneurial journey in 6th grade. How Mike got into the jet chartering business. Why accounting for your company is so important. Why Mike has no desire to become a pilot. Favorite Quote: “It’s always been a passion of mine to create opportunities for other people.” -Mike Howard

    37 min

  3. 05/10/2022

    Ep: 19 Gabe Muller; Entrepreneur, Connector, Cirrus Owner, and Smokehouse Pilots Founder

    Gabe Muller is the a entrepreneur, connector, owner of Muller Consulting Services, a private pilot, and founder of Smokehouse Pilots.  His story is a great mix of business and aviation. Graduating with an accounting degree, Gabe went to work at a small financial planning firm. While there he would spend his lunches at the airfield watching planes land and take off.  He enjoyed listening to the pilots talk to air traffic control, but still wondered what exactly went on in the cockpit. So, Gabe signed up for flight lessons and got his private pilots license. Moving to the DC area, Gabe got a job at a different firm and really got into leadership development.  After a year long leadership development training, Gabe realized he really liked building the firm side of things.  He decided it was time to branch out on his own as Muller Consulting Services.  He’s also since founded Smokehouse Pilot, a social pilots club for others that share a passion for aviation. What You’ll Learn: What business lessons Gabe has learned from aviation. What entrepreneurial skills are needed to be a COO. How to be intentional with who you serve and why. The importance of branding awareness. Favorite Quote: “Aviation plus community breeds opportunity.” -Gabe Muller

    44 min

  4. 04/27/2022

    Ep: 17 Vance Hilderman - CEO and CTO of AFuzion, The World’s Largest Aviation and Safety-Critical Services Companies

    Growing up, Vance Hilderman dreamed of being in the Naval Academy. He passed all his tests with flying colors, but had less than perfect vision.  Because of this, he was told he could only be a navigator. Vance denied the offer and followed his dream of going into aviation elsewhere.  Today Vance serves as the CEO and CTO of AFuzion, the world’s largest aviation and safety-critical services companies. Pursuing degrees in both Computer Engineering and Business, Vance had already had 4 failed businesses before he got it right.  His 5th attempt grew into the world’s largest outsourced aviation avionics software development and certification company. He says the failed attempts taught him one valuable lesson: start with more money. He’s since started a few more successful businesses. What You’ll Learn: How the TCAS system works and why it’s so important. How the eVTOL technology works. Why having a mentor is so important. Why Vance’s first 4 companies failed. Favorite Quote: “Boeing sells more aircraft in a month than Hollywood does movies in a year.” -Vance Hilderman

    58 min

  5. 04/13/2022

    Ep 15: Cancelled For Maintenance Podcast Collaboration; Six, MBP and Jeff Talk Career Paths & Trends

    Today the Leaders of Aviation podcast and the Cancelled For Maintenance podcast are joining forces for the first ever collaboration. As maintenance technicians, Six and MBP share that they had great conversations everyday at work and thought they should be recording some of them. That was the birth of Cancelled For Maintenance. As avid Leaders Of Aviation listeners, we all know Jeff’s story as a pilot and owner of Lively Aviation.  The three men discuss their careers in aviation; the good, the bad, and the ugly. What You’ll Learn: How regulations drive maintenance tasks. How much paperwork goes into aviation maintenance. The levels of aviation maintenance in the military. How helicopter and airplane maintenance differ.

    1h 11m

  6. 04/05/2022

    Ep 14: Cooper the Pilot; aka Gear Girl, Aviation Promoter, Founder of Hangar 22

    She goes by many names; Cooper The Pilot or Gear Girl.  She also wears many hats, from musician to founder of non-profit, Hangar 22. Today she shares her story of becoming a pilot.  Orphaned in Korea at the age of 3, Cooper was told she would most likely never be adopted.  At age 4 she found herself among a group of 10 children that would be going to the US.  That would be Cooper's first ever time in an airplane.  She says everything about it, down to the sparkling of the ocean below, inspired a passion for flying. She grew up being told that being a pilot was not a dream for a girl.  It wasn’t until after she got married and had 2 kids that Cooper decided it was time to do something for her.  Taking a discovery flight on Saturday, she began looking into flight schools Monday, and was training by Friday.  Finishing in just 6 weeks, Cooper has hit the ground running. She’s passionate about getting more women into aviation. Check out her Instagram @cooperthepilot to learn about scholarships she offers. What You’ll Learn: What an accelerated pilot's license program looks like. How Cooper earned the nickname Gear Girl. What percentage of pilots are women. Why Cooper started Fly With A New Friend Friday. Favorite Quote: “The first time I flew over the ocean… it was that sense of freedom.” -Cooper The Pilot

    43 min

  7. 03/29/2022

    Ep 13: Laura Humphries: The Flying Princess; Published Author; Commercial Pilot

    Today’s guest, Laura Humphries, is a certified commercial pilot and known as the Flying Princess. Even though growing up, her grandfather worked for Air Jamaica, Laura says she had no interest in aviation.  It wasn’t until after she went to college for economics and was working at a car dealership that Laura was inspired to pursue a career in the air.  She says one day a young, black woman came into the dealership and started raving about her career as a flight attendant.  All it took was seeing someone that looked like her in that position to convince her she could do it too. After going through the process and getting hired on at Delta, Laura spent the next two years as a flight attendant before she started asking herself what’s next?  The answer came when she showed up for a flight and saw a black, female captain.  Again she told herself she could do that too.  Laura not only pursued her commercial pilot’s license, she went on to author a book series about how seeing someone that looks like you doing big things can inspire you to do the same. What You’ll Learn: What flight attendant training entails. How frustration inspired the You Look Like Me series. How long it took to go from private to commercial. What the most memorable moment of flight training has been. Favorite Quote: “I didn’t know seeing a black female pilot would make me want to be a pilot.  It really shows how important representation is.” -Laura Humphries

    48 min

  8. 03/22/2022

    Ep 12: Chris Gregg: Medical LearJet Pilot; CFI-I; Mentor to CFI’s

    Today’s guest, Chris Gray, has had the dream of flying since an early age.  He was inspired by his grandfather who decided to learn to fly in his 60’s.  He can still remember, at the age of 6 or 7, watching his grandfather and his instructor fly over the house.  He also got bit by the entrepreneurial bug early on, starting his first business at the age of 10. Earning his pilot's license in high school, Chris ended up taking a few years off from flying while he attended college.  Getting laid off from a PR firm, Chris decided he wanted to get back to flying.  After earning his certifications in the course of a summer, Chris began working at a flight school before he decided to try his hand at owning his own flight school. He shares the ups and downs and how he ended up as first officer on a learjet. What You’ll Learn: Why you shouldn’t try to accelerate your private pilot training. What inspired Chris’s business model. What the biggest hurdle is for fleet management. How it feels to fly a Lear 60 Classic. Favorite Quote: “If you’re a pilot, find a way to give back to your community.” -Chris Gray

    55 min
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5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

The aviation industry is responsible for so much, from bridging countries, continents, and cultures, to making international trade possible. We all know the big names in aviation, from Boeing to Duncan, but what about all the mom-and-pop aviation businesses? The Leaders of Aviation podcast is here to give a voice to those very people. Interviewing aviation small business owners and other aviation personnel, we’ll hear their stories and get a glimpse into their world. Through these stories of triumphs as well as setbacks, we hope to inspire the current and next generation.

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