AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2018 - T-24

"If a service provider can travel to a customer's
location and provide what is requested, it makes
them the leader in solving the customer's needs....
Having the ability to travel point to point efficiently
is paramount in success."
WHAT EARLY CHALLENGES DID YOU HAVE?

Flying was never the challenge in my early days.
Today, I always strive to separate my professional
work responsibilities with the demands of being pilot
in command. When I'm preparing to fly, I keep my
mind on the task of arriving safely with my airplane
and passengers to my destination. Only after that safe
arrival do I transition into work mode.
HOW DOES THE AIRPLANE BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS?

Together, our firms Marietta Silos and USA Silo
Service are the nation's leading material storage silo
construction, inspection, repair, cleaning, and maintenance providers. As the only companies in the United
States that can handle all of a customer's needs, we are
their ultimate storage silo problem solvers. Storage
silos are very specialized structures that are usually
critical to our customers' facilities. There are only a
handful of competent experts in the country.
Having our own airplane means we can react to
a customer's needs very quickly. Our customers are
located everywhere in the United States. We commonly
visit manufacturing plants, power generation stations,
mines, storage facilities, or shipping terminals. Many
times, these facilities are remotely located, far from a
commercial airport. Our customers call us when there
is a problem that is negatively affecting their operations or, worse, a critical safety situation. I routinely
use my airplane to get to my customers within hours
or the next day-no matter where they are and without the time or location constraints of commercial air
travel. That kind of service to a customer in their time
of need allows us a distinct competitive advantage that
has helped to build our firm's growth to the pinnacle of
the storage silo industry. No other firm in the country
can solve as many silo issues as fast as we can.
WHAT DO YOU THINK GENERAL AVIATION'S FUTURE
LOOKS LIKE?

People in the United States are now used to instant
gratification, no matter what they may need. If you
need information, you go to the internet and you
have instant information. That need is now more so
in business-to-business sales and service. If a service provider can travel to a customer's location and
T-24 | AOPA PILOT November 2018

provide what is requested, it makes them
the leader in solving the customer's needs.
General aviation easily solves that problem for the companies and individuals that
use it to their advantage. Having the ability
to travel point to point efficiently is paramount in success.
HOW WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE YOUNG
PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN AVIATION?

I would suggest finding a local mentor pilot.
Like most pilots, I am always happy to talk
positively about the freedom, benefit, and
advantages of flying. Talking and engaging
with your local airport and pilots is an easy
way to find out and take advantage of what
your area has to offer in aviation. There are
lots of opportunities for young people to
get involved in aviation, and communication with people involved is the easiest way
to find those opportunities.
WHAT KIND OF AIRCRAFT DO YOU FLY/
HAVE YOU FLOWN?

I have had the pleasure of flying several aircraft. I have owned a Piper Turbo
Arrow, Piper Seneca, Beechcraft pressurized Baron, and I currently fly a Piper
Meridian. I have a Cessna 172XP for my
children to learn to fly in as they follow me
in the silo business. We are now wrapping
up the purchase of our first jet aircraft.
The process of transitioning to a jet has
been exciting. An upgraded and trickedout Cessna Citation CJ1 will soon be in the
hangar.
WHAT'S THE BEST TRIP YOU'VE EVER
FLOWN?

My favorite typical trip is flying between
our homes in Marietta, Ohio, and Palm
Beach, Florida. But one recent trip was
my favorite in the Meridian. I flew from
our airplane's base in West Virginia to
Ottumwa, Iowa; Bozeman, Montana;
Ogden, Utah; San Diego, California;
Albuquerque, New Mexico; Joplin,
Missouri; and back to our home office in
Ohio. I accomplished this in three days. I
had a magnificent view from the front window to this beautiful country. Try that on
an airliner!
AOPA
EMAIL julie.walker@aopa.org

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2018

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