Recognizing Leadership

Shortly after graduating from PIA, Boschert enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where she pivoted from working on planes to working on the gas turbine systems that power the ships’ engines. Today, Boschert’s job duties as a Power Generation Service Technician for Curtis Power Solutions include performing oil changes and annual and semiannual inspections, as well as 24/7 service for repairs, upgrades, or new startups on generators.

“My PIA education has set me up for the best success,” says Boschert. “I got all the basic knowledge and understanding, not just on the engines, but also electrical, hydraulics, sheet metal, welding, and troubleshooting. I use everything I learned at PIA almost daily. I will forever be grateful to PIA for giving me the stepping stones to my career.” Hoffman joined fellow rocket startup Astra as Senior Launch Engineer and Launch Conductor. In that capacity, Hofmann served as “the voice of the countdown,” running the procedures needed to launch Astra’s rockets and keep their entire team safe during launch events. This year, Astra promoted Hofmann to Senior Manager of Launch Operations Product Introduction. 

SAVING LIVES AND PROTECTING COMMUNITIES

Helicopters provide vital support for public health and safety, and many PIA graduates find their role in supporting these helicopter missions to be extremely rewarding.

Dustin Colella (PIA Pittsburgh, 2018) is a Quality Assurance Auditor at Air Methods, a nationwide air medical transport company that provides emergency services to over 70,000 patients annually in 48 states. His fellow Pittsburgh graduate Sam Briski (2019) is an A&P Mechanic at Pittsburgh-based STAT MedEvac, where he inspects, troubleshoots, and helps maintain a fleet of helicopters that provide medical transport for around 11,000 patients each year who have a critical illness or injury. STAT employs 35 aviation maintenance technicians throughout the country, most of whom are PIA graduates.

Law enforcement agencies also must keep their helicopter fleets in peak condition. As an Aviation Technician for the Maryland State Police, Patrick Glinski (PIA Pittsburgh, 2004) helps maintain ten AW139 helicopters used in medevac and police support missions. “I really like my job, because I know what I do here is crucial work,” says Glinski.

AIM FOR THE STARS

Elizabeth Householder (PIA Youngstown, 2021) grew up dreaming of working on spaceships, not aircraft. Earning her A&P certification empowered her to land her dream job right out of PIA: working as a Raptor Final Integration Technician at SpaceX.

“I get the unique opportunity to see my work on television, YouTube, fan sites, and everywhere else,” says Householder. “The first time I saw one of my engines arrive at Starbase..., I was so thrilled and proud of my accomplishments. Seeing my engines mounted on Booster 7 or Starship 25 and actually seeing them being used is just an amazing (and gratifying) opportunity.”

Chris Hofmann (PIA Pittsburgh, 2011) shares Householder’s passion for space. After working on the SpaceX team that built the Merlin Vacuum engines for the Falcon 9 rocket,

Suzanne Markle, PIA’s President & CEO, presented Mr. Bickerton with his certificate on August 2, 2022. He also received a $1500 award.

RECOGNIZING LEADERSHIP

The President’s Award for Exceptional Employee Achievement was created to recognize exemplary achievement among faculty and staff who rise above in areas such as character, innovation, exceptional standards, instructional excellence, and noteworthy accomplishments. Nominations come directly from faculty and staff who feel their peers have displayed such achievement.

Todd Bickerton, 6th Quarter AMT instructor at the Pittsburgh campus, won the inaugural President’s Award. He received two nominations for the award. “He is willing to go above and beyond for students and other instructors,” wrote one nominator.

“I am honored and humbled to have been recognized by my colleagues and be selected as the first recipient of the PIA President’s award,” said Mr. Bickerton. “It is absolutely rewarding watching these students grow as they get prepared to enter their career with confidence, and I look forward to the many more that will be coming through.” 

Showcasing Aviation Skills

In the last week of April 2022, ninety college and professional teams came together in Dallas to compete in the Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC). Comparable to the Olympics, it is a global competition with 27 events over the course of several days with the final day culminating in an award ceremony. Replicating industry standards, techniques and practices, the AMC allows participants the opportunity to display their skillsets in a competitive format.

Held annually and shifting host cities with each year, the venue provides certified AMTs from major airlines, MROs and OEMs, as well as military personnel and students in FAA Part 147 schools the chance to test their skills against their peers.

Most recently held at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, coinciding with Aviation Week Network's MRO Americas, the AMC has grown to become one of the most widely attended international aviation experiences for both technicians and fans.

“As a student, coming here is mind-boggling on how many people are invested into it,” said Jereme Thompson of PIA.

Led by instructors as their coaches, PIA sent 4 teams, one from each campus, to compete in this large-scale aviation skill showcase. Teams participated in a wide variety of events such as Airframe Damage Inspection, Virtual Reality Paint Booth, and Engine Fan Blade Removal.

“One of the best student times. [They were] well instructed, professional. They worked great as a team. These are outstanding technicians. Glad to have them in the industry,” said AMC Judge and American Airlines Avionics Technical Crew Chief, Jason Yoder regarding the effort put forth by Joseph Corridoni and John Custer in the APU Burner Can event.

In addition to competing, PIA students also had the opportunity to network with industry professionals in what is deemed "Recruitment Row". There, industry pros conduct on the spot interviews and even make job offers to student competitors as a result of their impressive event performances and industry skill competency.

"I got to talk to United, Flexjet, and Boeing, and I've gotten job offers from two of them so far," said PIA student competitor Bailey Kimmel.

Looking back with great pride on our representation at the 2022 AMC, PIA is excited to compete at AMC 2023 in Atlanta. 

TEAM PITTSBURGH TEAM HAGERSTOWN TEAM MYRTLE BEACH TEAM YOUNGSTOWN

L-R: Nicholas Wakeley, Michael Woodruff, Micah Snowberger, Coach Tom O'Keefe, Jereme Thompson, Nathaniel Miske, Jeremy Layton Back L-R: John Custer, Draven Carbaugh, Joseph Corridoni Middle L-R: Mikhail Kurmanov, Coach Amanda Spencer, Jeffrey McGraw, Front L-R: Lauren Kimberly, Raegan Buzzard, Rebecca Waring Back L-R: Phillip Nojunas, Coach Mike Basara, Travis Johnson, Lexie-Grace Walker, Tatum Grogan, Peg Skalican (Campus Director), Marcus Moore Front: William Bryant Back L-R: Cameron Fisher, Sean Helpy, Coach Bill Ogle, Bailey Kimmel, Coach Tom Repula, Herbie Hogue, Michael McFall Front: Michael Bell

SPONSORS SPONSORS SPONSORS SPONSORS

Rebecca Waring, who won the Phoebe Omlie Award and $5,000 scholarship, had this to share with next year’s competitors: “I really appreciated the opportunity to come here, compete, and represent PIA. I hope to bring the knowledge of these events and the excitement of getting to see everything back to everybody to help everyone push through to the finish line.”