July-August 2022 - 4

E D I T O R ' S TA K E OF F
Published by Endeavor Business Media
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A Southern
Gentleman and
a Great Man
I'll never forget the first call I got when
I joined Airport Business.
Less than 24 hours after accepting the position, my
By Joe Petrie,
Editorial Director
phone rang and on the other end I was greeted by a
friendly southern gentleman named Ralph Hood. He
told me who he was and how he wrote in every issue of
the magazine since it was founded in 1986. He talked
about his time on the speaking circuit. He talked about
life as a kid in Georgia. He reminisced on his work in
the industry. He even explained his journey across the
south to eventual residency in eastern Tennessee.
The call lasted 90 minutes. By the end of the week, I had a package at my
desk - a signed copy of his book and letter wishing me luck on the new position.
It's not often you receive a care package from someone you've never met before
congratulating you on a new job, especially when they send it before you actually
start in your new job.
Ralph Hood was one of a kind and there will never be another like him. He
passed away June 1 at the age of 81.
Ralph's style was unique for an industry publication. Hidden inside pages of
technical articles and leadership profiles, you would find his slice-of-life takes on
topics in the industry. Whether it be reminiscing about selling aircraft, visiting
airports, visiting schools, or frankly just spinning on about childhood and his
road to the industry, Ground Clutter was always entertaining.
Even when he was railing on about the " guvment " or trying to goad the industry
into unique takes - like saying FBOs should take a page from roadside truck stops
to improve their business model - it was never offensive, but always entertaining.
When I told him, " Ralph, you're going to give me diabetes if you don't tamp down
the folksy stories, " he laughed and replied " maybe that's a sign you need some
more sweetness in your life. " Hard to argue simple homespun advice like that.
He made an impact that only the son of a school superintendent who turned
to aviation could. He bridged generations, he looked to the future, he never forgot
the past and most importantly, he did it with a smile and an honest attitude.
Ralph wouldn't feel right if I didn't officially let him " off the hook " for one
more column, so he needs to know I'm giving him a permanent pass for all his
hard work and contribution to the magazine and the industry. And thank you
for being the positive light the world needed and for being the kind of person so
many of us needed in our lives even if we didn't recognize it. So for you, Ralph,
I'll use an exclamation mark in a column just once for you!
Memorial donations may be made to the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame, 4343
73rd Street, North Birmingham, AL 35206 or to Heifer International, 1 World Ave.,
Little Rock, AR, 72202.
Volume 33, No. 5, July/August 2022
EDITORIAL
Joe Petrie, Editorial Director
joe@aviationpros.com, +1 (920) 568-8399
Walker Jaroch, Editor
walker@AviationPros.com, +1 (920) 563-1613
Rebecca Kanable, Assistant Editor
Becky@AviationPros.com, +1 (920) 563-1641
Contributors: Larry Hinebaugh, Brett Levanto, Bill Johnson and Mario Pierobon
SALES
Bill Baumann, Group Publisher
bill@AviationPros.com, +1 (609) 610-5400
Greg Szatko, National Accounts Manager
greg@AviationPros.com, +1 (920) 568-8314
Jon Jezo, National Accounts Manager
jon@AviationPros.com, +1 (920) 568-8337
Stephanie Painter, International Sales Rep
stephanie@painter-lowe.com,+1 44 1634 829386
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Aircraft Maintenance Technology (USPS 004-989; ISSN 1072-3145 print; ISSN
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4 JULY/AUGUST 2022
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
http://www.aviationpros.com
July-August 2022

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