Aircraft Maintenance Technology - 50

Jason Grafton, 39, Vice President Operations, Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services, Nashville, TN

ason Grafton's passion for aviation stems from his relationships with his mechanically inclined dad and step-dad,
providing him with ample opportunities to witness, learn and
grow his own mechanical interests. "Not knowing exactly what
I wanted to do when I graduated from high school, I reflected
on my step-dad's experience of attending the Pittsburgh Institute
of Aeronautics when he was younger," Grafton reflects. "This
sparked my interest and I decided to take a look at the school.
I can say that it was the best decision I could have made. I am
thankful for the knowledge it provided me."
During his time with ExpressJet, Grafton points to three great
leaders who had their own unique style and approach to leadership. These three talented, hardworking individuals acted as
mentors and helped Grafton to develop his own leadership skills.
"Embraer has always had a great focus of career development,
along with strong leadership that helps support the growth of its
employees," he says. "I have found that there are a lot of great
people in aviation who are willing and excited to help develop
young people in the industry. This has been an outstanding
journey so far and I hope that I can take what I have learned
and pass valuable insights as a mentor to the future leaders of
the industry."
When Grafton graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of

Aeronautics, he took a job as a fresh A&P
with ExpressJet Airlines. There, he had an
early opportunity to take a leadership role
as a supervisor. His time with ExpressJet
took Grafton coast to coast, starting in
Dayton, Ohio and ending up in Louisiana
as a manager of heavy maintenance. He later
moved to Nashville, Tennessee as a Project
Manager with Embraer Aircraft Maintenance
Services. "My career path has progressed within Embraer and
I am now currently the vice president of operations," he notes.
"My responsibilities include all hangar and component repair
operations within the facility. We currently provide more than
300 heavy maintenance visits and more than 10,000 component
repairs annually in our Nashville facility. Our team also performs AOG repairs and sends field teams worldwide to support
Embraer commercial aircraft."
Grafton, who has been part of several teams that received
"Kaizen of the Year" awards within Embraer, became an A&P
at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and received his bachelor's
degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from Eastern New Mexico
University. Grafton plans to finish his MBA at Trevecca Nazarene
University this fall.

Zachary Flora, 34, Production Manager, Camtronics, Tulsa, OK

uriosity, that's what Zachary Flora says got him started in
aviation - that and a little help from Grandma's house.
"My grandma happened to live on the final approach flight path
of Tulsa International Airport. At a very young age, I remember
sitting for hours on end, staring straight up, wondering how
these mechanical marvels could defy gravity and take to the
sky," Flora remembers.
At Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, Flora learned not only how airplanes defy gravity,
but how to make sure they keep doing it.
Flora earned his A&P license, as well as being IPC Certified,
Solidworks Associate Certified, OSHA certified, EASA Part 145
Essentials certified, and is trained in non-destructive testing.
He got his first job at Drake Air as an aviation technician, where
his responsibilities included in process inspection and diagnosis
of aircraft components, repair of pneumatic, mechanical, electrical
and hydraulic components, and working with the engineering
team to streamline new product developments.
Since 2013, Flora has worked at Camtronics as a production,
product and maintenance manager, taking him from Oklahoma
to Ireland, and handling a variety of responsibilities, including:
Managing projects and work orders for production, engineering
and quality assurance; developing and implementing engineer-

50 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019

ing team-based design and repair projects;
increasing the engineering staff's operating
efficiency by providing structure, operating
procedures, engineering tools, guidelines
and handbooks; the management of production work orders; providing leadership
and hands on training to over six production employees and three product engineers;
streamlining repair capability and processes
by developing/perfecting management tools, analyzing and controlling program phases and operations; reducing program costs
by effectively aligning production requirements with quality,
purchasing, engineering, and customer service representatives;
conducting training course, content, and managing each program.
"Mr. Flora has held multiple positions within the organization
including technician, supervisor, production manager, quality
assurance, and engineering. Through his efforts and dedication
to the company, Camtronics has been successful in adding customers and capabilities to support the industry. Few employees
have the ability to be effective and efficient in their daily responsibilities while also elevating co-workers and the organization
to a higher level as he does," Nathaniel Blake Ellers, director of
operations, at Camtronics.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

Aircraft Maintenance Technology

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