april2023 - 42

Ground Support Spotlight
Spotlight on:
Pete Buffkin
BY JOSH SMITH
Ground Support Worldwide: What attracted you to a career
in the ground support industry?
Pete Buffkin: I basically came across the industry by accident. I
found an engineering job in it early in my career.
GSW: What has kept you engaged in the industry?
PB: It is a relatively small industry with lots of great people that
care about what they do. And you feel like you can make a
difference.
GSW: What's the best advice you've been given while
working in this field?
PB: Be honest and truthful.
GSW: How have you seen the ground support industry change
the most during your career?
PB: Early in my career, the major customers all had their technical
expert for refueling equipment so they had very detailed specifications.
Today more customers tell us what they are trying to
accomplish with the equipment and we can utilize our expertise
to make the best product to do what they want.
GSW: Has this change been to the benefit or detriment
of the industry?
PB: This has absolutely made the industry better. Better products
are made when we focus on function.
GSW: What's the next big thing coming to the ground support
industry?
PB: It is already underway, but electrification of the fleet is the
big thing. It is just getting started in the refueler segment and
there will be a learning curve.
GSW: What type of an impact will it make?
PB: It will help airlines and airports meet their green initiatives
and it should have a positive impact on our environment.
GSW: What would you say to encourage someone to join the
ground support industry?
PB: I would say it is a great career to make a difference, and with
hard work and dedication, there are many opportunities.
Job Title: Aviation Sales Manager
Company: Westmor Industries
Location: Columbus, MN
Years of Experience in Ground Support:
Approximately 30
Years with Current Company: 10
Previous Employers in the Industry:
Garsite and Eaton/Carter Ground
Fueling
Industry committees, associations,
working groups served on:
SAE AE-5C Aviation Ground Fueling Systems
Committee, Chairman and Secretary
NFPA 407 Committee Member
SPOTLIGHT ONE OF YOUR THOUGHT LEADERS
IN AN UPCOMING ISSUE!
Send your nomination to Josh Smith at josh@aviationpros.com
42 || Ground Support Worldwide || April 2023

april2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of april2023

Editor's Note: Collaboration to Solve Challenges
Business Buzz
Industry Expert Column: Emerging from COVID-19: Transformations in the Air Cargo Market
Cover Story: How to Utilize ULD Fleets
Global Standards for Ground Support
TIACA's Pursuit of Sustainability
MKE Gate Management Goes Digital with GoApron
Electric Tractors for Business, Regional and Military Aircraft
Product Hangar
Ground Support Spotlight: Pete Buffkin
april2023 - 1
april2023 - 2
april2023 - 3
april2023 - 4
april2023 - 5
april2023 - Editor's Note: Collaboration to Solve Challenges
april2023 - 7
april2023 - Business Buzz
april2023 - 9
april2023 - 10
april2023 - 11
april2023 - Industry Expert Column: Emerging from COVID-19: Transformations in the Air Cargo Market
april2023 - 13
april2023 - 14
april2023 - 15
april2023 - Cover Story: How to Utilize ULD Fleets
april2023 - 17
april2023 - 18
april2023 - 19
april2023 - 20
april2023 - 21
april2023 - 22
april2023 - 23
april2023 - 24
april2023 - 25
april2023 - Global Standards for Ground Support
april2023 - 27
april2023 - 28
april2023 - 29
april2023 - TIACA's Pursuit of Sustainability
april2023 - 31
april2023 - 32
april2023 - 33
april2023 - MKE Gate Management Goes Digital with GoApron
april2023 - 35
april2023 - Electric Tractors for Business, Regional and Military Aircraft
april2023 - 37
april2023 - Product Hangar
april2023 - 39
april2023 - 40
april2023 - 41
april2023 - Ground Support Spotlight: Pete Buffkin
april2023 - 43
april2023 - 44
april2023 - Stinar1
april2023 - Stinar2
april2023 - Stinar3
april2023 - Stinar4
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