Avionics News December 2012 - 38

REMEMBERING MONTE R. MITCHELL
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ganization that truly serves its members. Monte was blessed with great support from industry leaders, but they had to run their businesses. Monte was the point man who had to somehow get things done, and he did. And, he taught his daughters how to do it. We have all beneﬁted from the AEA Educational Foundation. It not only established a way for the avionics industry to build talent and remain viable, but it gave many young people a great opportunity. Under Monte’s leadership, many programs were established that helped avionics shops provide crucial beneﬁts to their employees like health insurance. He expanded the organization to embrace avionics shops globally. This was a wonderful win-win because it helped open opportunities for manufacturers and gave avionics shops around the world better access to technical training and expertise. The AEA is his legacy.

is respected around the world. Of course, Monte didn’t create this by himself, but he surrounded himself with people who shared, ampliﬁed and continue his vision. I am honored to have known him, and it is with pride that I currently serve on the AEA board of directors. Monte Mitchell may have left this world, but he’s not just a memory. His is a legacy that will endure for future generations of aviation professionals.

GARY PICOU, PS Engineering I would not be where I am today without Monte Mitchell. I know my company would not be as successful today without Monte Mitchell. I believe our industry would not be as successful today without the lifetime work of Monte Mitchell. One day 20 years ago, when I was in a transition period otherwise known as unemployed, Monte had an occasion to call and chat on an unrelated subject. By the time we hung up, I may not have had a job, but I had a positive attitude that still drives my career. Throughout the years, even the most casual conversation would leave me more energized and informed. The organization he built is much like Monte Mitchell: Monte Mitchell greets his granddaughter, Lauren modest and humble, but McFarland, AEA’s manager of marketing and competent and devoted to advertising, during a recent event. servicing the members’ needs. Above all, they’re dedicated to the best interests of the industry and related businesses for a common success. The impact of the organization Monte Mitchell built goes far beyond avionics technicians, specialized business owners and avionics manufacturers large and small. Today the AEA
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CARL WOLF, Garmin International I loved Monte Mitchell. I ﬁrst met Monte in 1978. I was a young kid starting up in the avionics industry, and, in typical Monte fashion, he treated me as if we were long-time friends. I would have guessed he had been leading the AEA for years – he seemed to have such a great handle of things. I only found out years later that he took that role just shortly before I met him. I got to know Monte well throughout the years, mostly from all of the AEA meetings, my participation on the AEA board, the AEA Educational Foundation and the AEA Future Studies Committee. He was a great teaser, which I loved about him. I always aspired to master public speaking as well as he had. I never heard him speak negatively about anyone until one night – but it was all in fun, which brings me to my story about Monte. At my previous company in the early 1990s, one of our executives had decided to retire. He had been there for years, and all of our customers and industry knew him and liked him. I was asked to emcee his retirement party. We invited a couple of dealers and aircraft manufacturers to speak, along with some industry folks, which included Monte. It was held at an exclusive club in the Kansas City area, and there were a large number of people in attendance. We had decided early on to have Monte be the ﬁrst of the invited guests to speak. Given his gift of speaking, we felt this would start the evening off right. After dinner, the fun began. I introduced Monte with a short bio and asked him to come up front. It didn’t take us 30 seconds to ﬁgure out that, once again, we had forgotten the cardinal rule of the importance of simple communication – we had all forgotten to tell Monte the format of the evening. Monte launched into a Don Rickles/Dean Martin style roast. At ﬁrst, I felt bad that I hadn’t told him, but as it went on, it was hilarious and all in good fun. Monte barbecued him, but in a good way. I found myself mentally rewriting my own speech, thinking what I had planned was going to be pretty boring by comparison. I think others were doing the same. It was a great evening, and all of the speakers did a great job, but I’m sure the early course correction that Monte provided made it an even better night for all who attended. I will always remember Monte for his kind persona and his great sense of humor. He was a terriﬁc man. 

AVIONICS NEWS

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DECEMBER

2012

Avionics News December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News December 2012