Clark Gordon

A few days back I had a good heart to heart with my congressman. We were at the same eating establishment and I took the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Aviation Maintenance Technician Day resolution on the House floor, as well as my concerns with the possible advent of Air Traffic Control user fees. It was a good conversation and I left feeling I had accomplished something. Whether I made a difference or not is still to be seen; the point is I made a focused effort.

We build our industry - it does not form us. It starts with the wisdom of older generations and forms the minds our young. It shines the light on their talents and dreams. This continues until someone breaks the chain. As a group, it is up to us to guide and direct the future of the aviation maintenance industry to be the solid link for the next generation.

Why do we work in aviation maintenance? The joke is, "it's not the money," but why not? Did doctors always have high prestige? No, the medical profession started as barbers in the Dark Ages of Europe. They built their knowledge and talents one step at a time.

This is our relay race. There is no one outside our industry that is going to carry our baton. It is up to each generation to move upward and onward, so future generations can launch from a higher plateau and reach higher still.

I have been in the aviation industry for 26 years, have been a member of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) for 14 years, and I have been involved with many aviation related organizations. Since becoming vice chairman of PAMA's board of directors four years ago, I have traveled the United States, coast to coast for business, for PAMA, and for pleasure. I have had the opportunity to meet many fascinating people in our industry.

The recurring theme I found after talking to these dedicated professionals is that the aviation maintenance professional is independent, has a strong sense of worth, and always does the right thing. There is not one organization, association, or group that represents the individual aviation technician, whether in maintenance or avionics, better than PAMA. PAMA is the voice of aviation maintenance. It was not built for monetary gain or to enhance another industry or profession. It is for every woman and man that wants to live aviation maintenance and build a better world for themselves, their families, and their industry.

PAMA is not "them." It is you, the aviation maintenance professional. Today's PAMA is at a new plateau. Through the guidance from some very committed individuals on the PAMA board of directors, PAMA now has financial stability, sound staffing, solid support within the industry, and very dedicated members strengthening our critical chapter network. This did not happen overnight. It was built on the foundation of past boards and on the backs of some very dedicated people, like our chairman, Dave Orcutt; our president, Brian Finnegan; and our chapter leaders.

PAMA is going through important new changes in governance. With those changes, the structure of the PAMA board will also evolve. As an example, each PAMA board member will be required to focus on a committee. These committees will ensure movement on action items presented by the membership, chapters and other PAMA Board members. The PAMA board of directors will be smaller and more flexible. The old saying is so true, "You cannot keep doing the same old things and expect new results."

Some things will not change on the PAMA board. The core of PAMA is the aviation technician, maintenance, and avionics. As such, the core board of directors will continue to be represented by these individuals. The PAMA regional directors will be retained. These regional directors are the most important link between the PAMA chapter network and PAMA national. These are exciting times for PAMA, for we focused on the future and building from hard work of the past.

We all started with a dream: a desire to live aviation. We worked hard to move up with our talents, to build for our families, to make our children's future better, stronger, and more secure. It is up to us to set the agenda and meet the needs and desires of our industry.

As for the younger members of our industry, it is incumbent upon them to participate and get involved so they can understand the race we are running, and be ready to take the baton forward.

Clark Gordon is an account manager, commercial and corporate sales, for EMS Satcom, Ottawa Ontario, Canada, based in Boonton, NJ. He is currently vice chairman of the PAMA board of directors, and he is running for chairman of the PAMA board.