Perform Air International Inc. provides component overhaul and repair services to the Commercial and Military Aviation Industries. We met with the President Cindy McGowan to learn more about Perform Air International’s values and the opportunities and challenges Cindy has faced charting a successful career as a woman within the aviation industry.
Perform Air International Inc. is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and China Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certificated aircraft component repair station.
Cindy explains, “we provide aircraft component repairs to some of the largest airlines in the world, with component types ranging from hydraulics, electromechanical and pneumatic to waste and water”.
An average of 350 components a week are shipped to Perform Air from around the globe and repaired or overhauled in ten days or less, ensuring minimal operational disruption for our customers.
Cindy continues, “all employees at Perform Air International Inc. are committed to Customer Satisfaction. This is achieved by providing excellent customer service, at the best possible price, and turn times, without compromising quality”.
The highest priorities for Perform Air International Inc.’s management are encapsulated within the ‘Diamond Excellence Program’. This comprises four objectives: The meeting of employee needs, customer requirements, organization standards and the regulatory requirements of the agencies which regulate the aviation industry. The Diamond Excellence Award is awarded to individuals or partner companies who consistently achieve the highest level of excellence related to Perform Air International Inc.’s quality standard.
Cindy is delighted to have recently been selected within the ‘Most Prominent Women in Business – 2017’ awards.
“I have worked hard to break barriers and overcome many obstacles within the male dominated aviation industry to lead Perform Air International Inc. to its current position and I am honoured to have been chosen for this award.”
Cindy notes that there’s still a substantial disparity between the number of women and men involved in any aspect of the aviation/aerospace world. Women only make up 2.4% of all aircraft technicians and 4.2% of all airline pilots and the percentages decrease within management ranks. Whilst the numbers of women involved have been improving, more still needs to be done to promote our industry to young women.
Cindy discusses how many businesses are realizing the benefits of having a more balanced workforce.
“I believe that business benefit from a balanced workforce. Diversity is integral to achieving Perform Air International’s goal of ensuring safe and efficient aircraft component repair for all domestic and international air carriers. Our inclusive culture is defined by our values and we continuously seek employees from all backgrounds with distinctive ideas, perspectives, insights and talents. As NextGen technology and aircraft systems continue to evolve to meet the aviation challenges of tomorrow, so must our workforce”.
Reflecting on her own career path, success and influence as a woman within the aviation industry, Cindy attributes having a female mentor early on in her corporate career as a key element in her progression as a business leader. Whilst this mentor was not part of Cindy’s division or workgroup, she was someone whose advice, guidance and knowledge Cindy valued.
She adds, “today, I feel it is important to be a mentor and for my executive team to be mentors for others within my organization, to provide them with guidance, advice and knowledge to better prepare them for advancement which in turn benefits not only the individual but the organization”.
The only way this can be accomplished is to establish trust early on with new employees, make sure you are doing the right thing and handling those early opportunities with importance, then pay it forward by providing junior and senior employees with mentorship moments where this concept can be fostered.
Cindy believes Perform Air International Inc.’s people are their strength. “We take great care in investing in and valuing them as such. Most importantly, Perform Air International Inc. employees are proactive, not reactive. They actively take part in meetings, contribute ideas, provide suggestions and get involved in the work. Employees who are used to sitting on the sidelines while others get involved generally do not do well in our organization; They’ll need training and coaching from mentors, leads, and peers if they are going to become strong members of our team”
Looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges of 2017, Cindy believes that Perform Air International Inc. is currently experiencing a new growth cycle as the aviation industry continues to grow and more aircraft enter operations. With this comes requirements to expand infrastructure and headcount. As with any growth process, this must be managed and controlled to ensure there are no operational disruptions or growing pains that are relayed to our customers. As long as we maintain our Diamond Excellence standards we will continue to grow and provide consistent service to our valuable customers.
With respect to the wider picture, Cindy remarks that women have been involved in aviation since its earliest days. From E. Lillian Todd, who designed and built aircraft in 1906 to Helen Richey, who became the first woman pilot for a U.S. commercial airline in 1934, women have assumed a variety of roles in the industry. At the close of the 20th century, astronaut Eileen Collins became the first female space shuttle commander.
During the last two decades, the number of women involved in the aviation industry has steadily increased and women can be found in nearly every aviation occupation today. However, the numbers are small by comparison to their male counterparts.
Unfortunately, the total numbers of individuals entering the aviation industry is also in a steady decline. As the total numbers, men and women, of pilots, engineers, technicians, etc decrease; finding qualified individuals to repair aircraft components will become more difficult. More must be done to promote aviation, science, maths and engineering to young people as a means of motivating them or inspiring them to enter our industry.
Company: Perform Air International
Name: Cindy McGowan
Email: [email protected]
Web Address: www.performair.com
Address: 463 S Hamilton Ct, Gilbert, Arizona, 85233, USA
Telephone: +1 480 610 3500
