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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/604359
16 airportbusiness November 2015 Aaron Deerey: Pilot Dreams Started in Preschool Aaron Deerey was one of those little kids who really did know what he wanted to do when he grew up. He says he wanted to work in aviation from an early age and recalls being the only kid in his preschool who cried when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. Of course, Deerey wanted to be a pilot and while he did get his private pilot license, he ultimately landed in the world of airports. Deerey credits a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for changing his flight path as he struggled to afford flight training. This college advisor told him that no one in the aviation industry would care if he had a pilot degree. He said: "FAA pilot's licenses don't say where you earned them and the degree will still say Embry-Riddle, so get a degree that has broader application." Deerey switched to Safety Science and says earning this degree opened up a new world of opportunities, which eventually led to the airport world. In his airport role, Deerey sees aviation as a premium method of travel where customer service doesn't always measure up. Though passengers tolerate low levels of customer service in order to receive "cheap" fares, he says "they aren't happy about it." These passengers still fly, but Deering warns they may resort to governmental and legislative type solutions, which ultimately will end up being more costly than providing good customer service to begin with. DID YOU KNOW? DEEREY 's first job was as a funeral attendant for a local funeral home. Manager, Airport Communications and Emergency Operations Lee County Port Authority Age: 34 Years in Aviation: 10 Memberships: Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Jeff Jackson: Aviation is Second Nature The aviation industry is second nature for Jeff Jackson, CEO of Jack- son Jet Center—a full service FBO in Boise, Idaho. He comes from a long line of aviators. His father, John, a lifelong pilot, first piqued his interest in aviation at an early age by bringing him along on flights throughout the West. His grandfather, Dale, was the first person to take off and land from S66, and was pivotal in its construction. From their examples, Jackson took a hobby he loved and made it into a career. Today he has 10 years of aviation experience, and has been the CEO of Jackson Jet Center since 2012. Under Jackson's wing, Jackson Jet Center has prospered, offering Part 135 and 145 oper- ations including avionics. In 2015, Jackson Jet Center was awarded FltPlan.com's Pilot's Choice Award, Air Elite Network's Diamond Ser- vice Award and was a Boise Cham- ber of Commerce Small Business of the Year finalist. Jackson graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Accounting, and enjoys spending time with his dog, Sergio, who is his favorite co-pilot. DID YOU KNOW? He can fly an airplane, but JACKSON has never ridden a motorcycle. CEO Jackson Jet Center Age: 36 Years in Aviation Industry: 10 Memberships: Air Elite Network, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Saint Alphonsus Hospital Foundation