By the
Coast Guard Aviation Association / Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl
The Coast Guard Aviation Association (CGAA) has now established a mentoring program designed to assist all of our aviation personnel in securing post Coast Guard employment. The following people have volunteered to assist, in any way they can, people in the aviation rates with future em-ployment advice and counsel. Feel free to contact these willing volunteers.
JIM McMAHON, SHELL OIL COMPANY (Ret)
[email protected] or 281-753-5221.
Jim is our Local Coordinator in Houston. He served in the Coast Guard for 12 years and left as an AD1 to pursue other interests. He has been with Shell Oil Company for the last twenty years and is now an IT Solution Architect helping design Shell’s new Asset Management business process us-ing SAP (business software). Jim is also heavily involved in Shell Oil’s MILNET or Military Net-work program. Shell wants to hire military veterans.
CHRIS LUTAT, B-777 CAPTAIN, FEDEX
[email protected] or 901-830-0939
Chris Lutat is our Local Coordinator at the Coast Guard Academy. He has extensive instructor, as well as pilot hiring experience.
PAUL FRANCIS, CDR, USCG (Ret)
[email protected] or 617-721-0639
Paul is our Chapter Coordinator in Salem, MA and now works for TSA in Boston. He is responsi-ble for the inspection and regulatory oversight of air carriers, 21 federalized airports, cargo facili-ties, indirect air carriers, certified cargo screening facilities, flight schools, flight instructors, and general aviation outreach throughout all six New England States.
STEVE RAUSCH, CDR USCG, (Ret)
[email protected] or 901-871-4702
Steve currently flies the Airbus 300 for FEDEX, and serves as our Chapter Coordinator in Mem-phis, TN. He is available to discuss with both pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel potential airline hiring opportunities. FEDEX is actively recruiting both pilots and maintenance personnel at this time.
BILL PAPPAS, CWO4 USCG, (Ret)
[email protected] or 919-889-7847
Bill was an ADCS to CWO to LT. He transitioned to the private sector and held a position with a Government Contractor then spent a couple of years as a Director at an IT consulting company. He went on to a publicly traded company, where he was VP-IT and then Senior VP–Chief Information Officer. Bill has extensive experience hiring and mentoring personnel.
PETER TROEDSSON, CAPT USCG, (Ret)
[email protected] or 503 468 9898
Peter is the City Manager in Albany, Oregon. Albany is a full service city with 450 employees providing police, fire, library, parks and rec, public works, municipal court services, along with all support departments. Peter serves on the board of the International City Management Association and has counseled many transitioning veterans interested in local government service.
LARRY POST, AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL (Ret)
[email protected] or 617 908 4001
Larry was on active duty from 1976-1982 as an HU -16 pilot at Cape Cod. He spent 34 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, retiring as a senior executive. Larry lives in Boston and is currently CEO of Post Hospitality Group: http://www.posthg.com/
HANK SCHAEFFER, CDR USCG, (Ret)
[email protected] or 541 749 0774
After retirement from the CG, Hank worked for FlightSafety International as an S76 Instructor. He then transferred to FlightSafety Boeing. With Boeing, he became the 737NG/Classic Maintenance Chief Instructor, and Manager, Regulatory Approvals and Standards.
LIAM WILLIAMS, AETCM USCG (Ret)
[email protected] or 510 846 7001
Liam retired in 2017 and went on to civil service with the State of California as Operations Manager of the Statewide Training Center. He is now a financial Advisor for First Command Financial Ser-vices. First Command is recognized as a Military Friendly Employer.
JACK SANTUCCI, CAPT USCG (Ret)
[email protected] or 561 267 2522.
Jack is Safety Officer and a Gulfstream Captain for Reyes Holdings Aviation in West Palm Beach, FL. Reyes operates Gulfstream V/450/550/650 aircraft and is frequently looking for both pilots and mechanics. Mechs must have an FAA A&P certificate, Gulfstream experience preferred.
MARK CREASEY, CAPT USN (Ret)
[email protected] or 703 597 3661
Mark is a retired Navy P-3 pilot and proud member of the CGAA. He currently works at Lockheed Martin in Arlington, VA, as the Director of Government Affairs for Naval and Coast Guard Avia-tion. He can offer insights on making the transition to the defense industry, going to the airlines, and/or building your professional network.
DAN CRAMER, CDR USCG (Ret)
[email protected] or 510 229 0924
Dan is a former Air Medical Pilot and can discuss that area of the industry for both pilots and me-chanics.
RICK KENIN, CAPT USCG (Ret)
[email protected] or 305 389 3667.
Rick is Chief Operating Officer, Boston Medflight, Bedford, MA. This is a fixed and rotory-wing air ambulance provider servicing the New England region with a long history of employing former Coast Guard pilots and mechanics. Additionally, Rick is connected across the air ambulance indus-try and can provide career advice for CG aviation people transitioning to commercial aviation.
SEAN CROSS, CAPT, USCG (Ret):
[email protected] or 540 735 4921
Sean is working for Tecolote Research as a Principle Analyst supporting the Space Enterprise Corps – Commander’s Action Group, Space Systems Command, U. S. Space Force. His group supports acquisition and sustainment of command and control and data management systems supporting larger satellite portfolios snd ensuring compatibility and interoperability at Space Systems Command.
TOM PALIGRAF, VICE PRESIDENT, SUN TRUST BANK, (Ret):
[email protected] or 305-962-5218
Tom is our Chapter Coordinator in Miami, where he served from 1968-1972, leaving as an AD2 to pursue a career in banking. After completing college (thanks to the GI bill) Tom served twenty-four years with Sun Trust Bank, retiring as Senior Voce President. He has extensive experience in commercial, consumer and residential lending. Tom lives in Ft. Lauderdale.
JAMIE WRIGHT, B-737 FIRST OFFICER, UNITED AIRLINES:
[email protected] or 727-235-8360
Jamie flew C-130s in the Coast Guard and then transitioned to commercial flying. She worked extensively as a Part-135 pilot for Cape Air and Express Jet and is available to provide career advice for CG Aviation personnel transitioning to civilian flying. She can also discuss hiring opportunities at United Airlines which is actively recruiting pilots.
TONY HAHN, CAPT, USCG, (RET):
[email protected] or 703 220 6582
Tony is Aviation Advisor for ConocoPhillips doing Quality and Safety Assurance for both internal and external operations. He is type rated in the Q400, DeHavilland DHC-8. VP, Development for CGAA and Secretary of Houston Chapter of NNOA.
The only job requirement is to relate your experiences as you made the transition from Coast Guard Aviation to any kind of civilian employment. If you have any questions, call or email: Mark Ben-jamin at: 231-642-1201, or email: [email protected]