Avionics News September 2020 - 62

MEET SIMPSON BENNETT
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Your mind can be your biggest weapon or your worst
enemy. Having the right mindset can mean the difference
of quitting when the going gets tough or toughing it
out and realizing your goal. I've found that many of
the mental lessons I learned in marathon training are
applicable to day-to-day life, where not going in with the
right preparation and mindset can make a big difference
in whether or not you'll meet your end goal.
What advice would you give to young people wanting
to work in avionics or aviation?
Immerse yourself in the industry and get involved
where you can. This is a niche industry that is comprised
of many unique segments that offers something for
everyone. It's an industry that doesn't require much
more than a passion, and there are plenty of people who
are eager to share your passion and willing to help you
get to where you want to be.
There are several challenging issues facing the aviation
industry today. Do you see pathways to solving some of
the issues?
Heading into 2020, the biggest challenge I saw
was attracting a workforce, particularly installation
technicians. That has quickly taken a back seat to
the challenges faced by the aviation industry with
the current health crisis gripping the world. While I
am optimistic that we are starting to see the signs of
economic recovery, it will be a long and hard road to get
back to where we once were a few months ago. I think
the silver lining to this will come in a few forms.
Many people are looking for new job opportunities
and may look to change to a new industry or finally
pursue their lingering interest in aviation. Another
outcome might be that aircraft owners look to utilize
their aircraft more and subsequently invest more into
their planes. Aviation and travel are a deep-seeded part
of our culture, so while things may not look quite the
way they did just a few months ago, I am optimistic and
excited to see what opportunities may unveil themselves
within our industry moving forward.
What do you think our industry does well?
We have an incredible community with a good support
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structure that crosses company lines in many cases. We
all share this passion for aviation, and it's clear that we
are all in it for the greater good of the industry we love
so much.
What do you like most about the AEA?
The AEA gives members the resources to succeed
and creates an environment conducive to learning and
sharing industry information. The AEA provides its
members a wealth of information to help them run their
business as well as opportunities to receive training in a
number of areas, from best business practices to product
training.
Why did you want to serve on the board?
I saw an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective
in an effort to continue building a great industry and
association. My mission, not just limited to serving on
the board, is to leave the industry better than I found it.
To pass along the great support and opportunities to the
next generation that will usher us into the future. Before
joining the board, I also served on the AEA's ad hoc
workforce development committee.
What does being on the board mean to you?
It's a tremendous honor that the members saw the
potential in me to guide the association into the future.
I see this as a great opportunity to make a difference in
our industry that ultimately benefits the members.
Is there anything specific you hope to accomplish as a
board member?
We are all being faced with unprecedented times that
require some challenging decisions to be made. Before
the global pandemic, our biggest challenge was attracting
people - more specifically technicians - to join our
workforce and our incredible industry. While I believe
that problem of too much work and not enough workers
will return in the future, our immediate focus needs to be
on economic recovery. The biggest accomplishment will
be helping the association navigate these difficult times
and being part of the team that will ensure a brighter
future for our industry with a strong workforce. q
To learn more about Genesys Aerosystems,
visit genesys-aerosystems.com.
http://genesys-aerosystems.com
Avionics News September 2020

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