Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 36

Alphonso Torrez, 29, Production Supervisor, Million Air, Houston, TX

lphonso Torrez got into aviation via the United States Navy,
where he was an Aircraft Electrician's Mate from 2008 to
2013, serving as the night lead, top rank held: e5, surface and air
warfare qualifications. While serving in the Navy, Torrez received
mentorship from first class petty officer Jeffery Campbell, who
trained Torrez in not only mechanical skills but also interpersonal ones.
"Jeffery Campbell was the First Class Petty Officer in charge
of my shop in the Navy. He taught me what a good leader was
by leading by example," elaborated Torrez.
After his time in the military, Torrez worked at Aspen
Helicopters, October 2013-April 2014, as an avionics technician; then All Around Aviation, April 2014-September 2016, as
an avionics technician and A&P lead; and currently at Million
Air as a maintenance production supervisor.
"I currently provide maintenance training for technicians,
assist in troubleshooting and routine maintenance procedures, scheduling of aircraft in and out of the facility, quote
scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, coordinate the
completion of inter company projects, ensure maintenance
practices are being followed and safety is the top priority,
provide service and support for all current and potential
customers," described Torrez.

"Alphonso not only meets requirements
but exceeds expectations in his duties. Since
day one, Alphonso pushed the envelope in
excellence and has undertaken some extreme
responsibilities. The commitment he has in
seeing company projects through is nothing
short of service before self. Alphonso comes
in early, stays late, and even sets aside his
personal life on his days off to meet with
customers or even come to work, roll up his sleeves, and work
right alongside the mechanics that he manages. He is one of a
kind, and without him, there is no way that I could do my job.
Alphonso and I have been working side by side to change our
department from the ground up. In efforts to become a more
efficient and productive shop, he has given his time, ideas, and
own money to see the efforts through and actually be the change
that our company needs to succeed. He is a great leader for
our team, and as an employee he has earned my absolute trust
and respect," said Shawn Odell Justus, Million Air's director of
maintenance, when nominating Torrez.
For the future, Torrez says: "I aspire to learn, grow, and evolve
as a human and technician. I would like to learn more platforms
and eventually own my own facility."

Travis Schleusner, 39, Director of Maintenance, Aviation Performance Solutions, Mesa, AZ

erial applicators and hearing stories from his grandfather
about Word War II bomber flights in the Pacific is what
planted the seed of what would become a career in the head of
Travis Schleusner.
In 2002, Schleusner graduated with his A&P license from Lake
Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota. From there,
he's traveled the world.
"I started my aviation maintenance career with the regional
airlines working on Beechcraft 1900s and EMB-120s and really
liked the fast pace. I learned so much in those first few years. I
went next into contracting and headed overseas to work for our
government on King Airs and Citation jets. After years of that,
I returned home to a local FBO and ran it as the GM/ A&P, IA
for several years. We worked on everything: GA piston, piston
twins, AG aircraft, even a small helicopter or two. It was the best
business learning experience I had ever had. I became the most
confident in my career at that FBO. Once I got tired of the South
Dakota weather, I headed to Arizona and accepted the director
of maintenance position with Aviation Performance Solutions
where I am still today. We use Extra 300L's and Marchetti S2-11's
to help pilots bring everyone home safely through upset recovery
training. It has been the most rewarding of all my aviation work,"
Schleusner recounts.

36 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

"I got to see and do some amazing things
that I normally wouldn't have with any other
career. I stuck with it got enough experience
to advance my career into some of the top
positions with some great companies," he
continues.
Schleusner says since then he has taken
every and all advance training courses that
he's been able to get his hands on.
"Continuing education is crucial for AMT's to continue to do
our work safely and also keep up with evolving methods and
tooling. Some of the courses I've taken are flight control rigging
for Beechcraft and Pratt and Whitney engine inspection course.
I did a composite repair course with Abaris in Reno, Nevada and
highly recommend it if you are working on anything composite,"
Schleusner said.
With an education-minded philosophy to his work, it only
makes sense that Schleusner would strive to pass on that knowledge and teach the next generation of aircraft mechanics.
"I give back to the aviation community through training our
new guys the correct way. It is important to me that entry level
A&P's come into their first job with proper training and mentoring
to help get their careers on the right path," he says.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

Aircraft Maintenance Technology

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