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INDUSTRY OUTLOOK 34 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY ates out of the giant MRO's Rockford, IL, facility. "We traditionally bring the best technical people [in] and move them into leadership roles." While not discounting the importance of so-called 'softer skills,' Per Karlsson, director of maintenance for Teterboro, NJ-based Meridian Jet Center, says, "There are always core skills required to be a manager. But, you have to know what business you're in." That business is demanding, competitive, and regu- lated with a focused ferocity precious few others are. COMMUNICATION Once a future leader possesses the right technical skills, other attributes come into play. Foremost among them is communi- cation. It starts with communicating with technicians down on the hangar floor and in the back shops. "I spent quite a bit of time avionics trouble-shooting," says Sahr. "When I'm speaking with customers, I can quickly connect with the technicians in the process and understand what the issue is. I think this helps considerably." And not just in better communicating with technicians, but the manufacturer, the customer, and other players as well. That meshing of technical understanding and communication skills helped leaders at Elliott Aviation recently install the first aftermarket Garmin G5000 cock- pit upgrade package into the pointy end of a Beechjet/Hawker 400XP. It's the ability to speak multiple "lan- guages" — customer, management, manu - facturer, regulator — that sets an effective leader apart from the pack. "To be a leader within our organization is quite dynam- ic," says AAR's Jamroz. That dynamism is pegged in no small part to the ability to communicate with lots of different people with widely differing perspectives. "You're not only working with the project, you're working with your own employees on that project," he says. "In addition to that you're also working with customer representa- tives, technical representatives, quality representatives — as well as the customer headquarters folks, the vice president, the head of planning … So it's got to be a very dynamic person to be able to handle [issues] and be able to talk, manage, and AviationPros.com/company/10325502 Trusted Since 1948 AVIATION INDUSTRY FACILITIES We help get your building plans off the ground. Whether you need a hangar, aircraft maintenance, FBO, or air cargo facility, Varco r coast-to-coast network of authorized builders work as a team to provide a high quality building, on time and on budget. oneer in the steel framed building industry, can offer your organization: Lower material and labor costs. Faster completion schedules. Flexible designs for interior space. Choices of exteriors such as brick, stucco, glass, wood or steel panels. And, our nationwide network of more than 1,000 independent authorized builders have decades of steel construction experience that you can rely on. With our value-engineered steel framed building systems, recycled material content and long-life "cool paint" choices, dings can help you meet sustainable construction and LEED certified project plans as well. Energy-efficient structures can help curb operating costs. Visit us online at www aviation and transportation facility capabilities! Varco Pruden's Attractive & Aff ordable Find Out More. Visit www.VP.com/ad/AMT Varco Pruden Buildings is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. PER K ARLSSON, director of maintenance for Teterboro, NJ-based Meridian Jet Center. MERIDIAN JET CENTER