James Garlick
Sr Director, Aerospace And Defense
Denver
Summary
Business Operations Executive with 10+ years of experience leading strategic and tactical business initiatives. Technical understanding and background to manage complex aerospace and defense solutions. Proven experience in large-scale business transformation and change management.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Director of Maintenance
Straight Flight, LLC
10.2023 - Current
- Manage all day-to-day operations for commercial aviation maintenance and repair organization.
- Handled customer interactions regarding aircraft repair and modifications.
- Managed schedule and budget on up to 10 projects simultaneously.
- Develop and implement strategy for continued growth and stabilization with the commercial aviation market space.
- Developed targeted plan to expand footprint in avionics installation market.
- Manage and allocate workforce to ensure effective execution of work.
- Handled hiring, termination and general management of all employees, less QA department.
Senior Director
MAG Aerospace
1 2022 - 10.2023
- Managed 5 Divisions with $35M in annual revenue.
- Stood up financing and accounting practices saving $1M annually for a singular division.
- Instituted formal operating procedures and enforced adherence to policies and regulations that impacted bottom-line.
- Eliminated internal "stove piping" through coordinated communication enabling organic growth and business-wide situational awareness.
- Lead a team of 90 employees, fostering a work culture of collaboration, growth, and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover across multiple locations.
Director
MAG Aerospace
05.2021 - 01.2022
- Restructured $16M division organization by eliminating redundancies and focusing efforts on existing marketable products.
- Worked closely with C-Suite to completely overhaul operational strategy.
- Completed audit of fixed asset ledger, divested of under-utilized assets, saving half a million dollars in annual operating costs.
- Implemented engineering processes to enhance visibility and coordination across disciplines.
- Overhauled company owned Supplemental Type Certificates and new STC procedures.
- Managed FAA Part 145, AS9110D QMS, & FAA PMA, updated processes and procedures to maximize efficiency and capabilities.
Director of Maintenance
MAG Aerospace
12.2017 - 05.2021
- Stood up and managed internal ISR aircraft maintenance support saving the division $300K annually in outsourced cost, and turning aircraft maintenance into a profit center.
- Reduced maintenance downtime increasing aircraft dispatch rate from 75% to 98%.
- Internalized and performed complex integration of ISR systems and sensors cutting customer integration times by 50% at a reduced cost.
- Identified business acquisition targets to meet facility needs and completed business integration into existing company infrastructure.
Director of Maintenance
Wings Of Carolina Flying Club
01.2013 - 12.2017
- Managed and performed maintenance on a fleet of 12 aircraft flying 6,000 hours annually.
- Standardized routine maintenance to ensure aircraft availability, achieving 95% dispatch rate with only one other team member.
- Streamlined communication process to ensure understanding of fleet status to pilots.
- Restructured vendor relationships to mitigate repair time on common items.
- Modernized in-house overhaul techniques and capabilities.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Aviation Management & Operations
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC 08.2011 - 08.2013
Skills
Aircraft modification, Certification ISR systems design & operation
RF systems operation and design
P&L management, GovCon accounting and finance
Interpersonal management & communication
FAA Part 23, 25, 145, 135, MIL-HDBK-516C standards
Certification
Airframe & Powerplant Ratings
Timeline
Director of Maintenance
Straight Flight, LLC
10.2023 - Current
Director
MAG Aerospace
05.2021 - 01.2022
Director of Maintenance
MAG Aerospace
12.2017 - 05.2021
Director of Maintenance
Wings Of Carolina Flying Club
01.2013 - 12.2017
Associate of Applied Science - Aviation Management & Operations
Guilford Technical Community College
08.2011 - 08.2013
Senior Director
MAG Aerospace
1 2022 - 10.2023