When it comes to finding a fulfilling career, sometimes the path reveals itself in unexpected ways. For Abigail Holloway, the journey began through a family friend who introduced them to an aviation maintenance apprenticeship program at Summit Aviation that happened to be just what she was looking for. Having originally planned to work on helicopters in the military, Abby was drawn to the hands-on learning experience the program promised.

Director of Human Resources Lynn Trent explains how the program works: “The apprenticeship program consists of the state paying 90% of the apprentice’s salary for 90 days. The apprentice is in the program and goes to school for two weeks in the fall and two weeks in the summer. They receive schooling combined with hands-on learning at school and at work as they continue to pursue their A&P certification.” 

The apprenticeship, which lasted about a year, provided invaluable training. Although official funding eventually ran out, Abby continued working under the guidance of a dedicated mentor. “I’m still technically an apprentice,” she explained, noting that there’s a way to go before she can become fully licensed. 

Reflecting on the experience, Abby shared that each mentor offered unique guidance. The first mentor was friendly and approachable. After a brief stint with a second mentor, she eventually settled under the guidance of her current mentor, with whom she has a friendly, almost sibling-like dynamic. This relationship has been key to learning and growth, and Abby appreciated the program's flexibility in continuing to work to find the right mentor/mentee fit. 

“Abby, as an intern, rotated through our Fixed Wing maintenance, Quality Control and is now in our Helicopter Maintenance department. Abby has been promoted to aircraft mechanics helper and is now performing supervised aircraft inspections that follow our internal work instructions tied to the aircraft maintenance manual. She will soon be performing component evaluations and measurements. We are very excited to have such a dynamic team where Abby will continue to thrive and grow within our organization,” said Director of Operations Robert Flansburg.

The pace of the apprenticeship was initially fast, with new tasks every day. Now, while the learning continues, Abby feels confident taking on familiar tasks independently. “It’s very hands-on. The only way to learn is by doing it,” she noted, emphasizing the program’s practical approach.

Reflecting on the journey, she credits the apprenticeship with giving her “a foot in the door” to a career she’s passionate about and looks forward to advancing in. This experience highlights the value of mentorship and hands-on learning in preparing individuals for rewarding roles in their chosen field, which is exactly what Summit Aviation hopes for the Apprenticeship Program!

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Tom Lark, Vice President and General Manager 

Tom Lark has over two decades of operations and aerospace experience with expertise in manufacturing, rotorcraft completions, aircraft customizations, and MRO management in commercial and military segments. He’s responsible for the overall operations at our Middletown, Delaware, and Greensboro, North Carolina facilities. 

Tom has had a long career in aviation leadership, including with companies such as Sanmina Corporation, Chromalloy Gas Turbine, Sikorsky Aerospace, and Ranger Aerospace. 

A United States Military Academy graduate of West Point, New York, Tom served in the United States Army as an aviation officer specializing in aircraft and component MRO at the intermediate and depot levels.

FUN FACT about Tom: Tom has skydived a few hundred times! An adventure enthusiast, he has also enjoyed motorcycles, scuba, snow skiing, and recreational flying at various times throughout his life. He currently still owns a Harley, likes to fly airplanes and snow ski in his spare time.

Robert Flansburg, Director of Operations

Robert’s career in aviation spans nearly 35 years. His tenure at renowned aviation entities such as Dassault Falcon Jet, Sikorsky, Leonardo Helicopters, Boeing Vertical Lift, and others has helped hone his industry expertise in aerospace maintenance, repair, completions and operations. 

Recognized as a high-integrity, energetic leader, Robert envisions and realizes successful outcomes in complex scenarios, which makes him perfect for his role here at Summit. 

Dan Robinson, Director of Military Sales

Dan Robinson, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, has over 20 years of experience in aviation operations, aerospace, and foreign military sales, including diplomatic roles in Southeast Asia. He also specializes in CH-47 and C12 aircraft and has a background in foreign policy and security cooperation. 

Prior to Summit, Dan held leadership positions at GBG Group, IDology, and JTEK Data Solutions, driving success through his military and civilian expertise. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Towson University, an MBA from Auburn University, and a Management Certificate from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Dan is based in Huntsville, Alabama.

FUN FACT about Dan: Dan’s hobbies include all things aviation, farming, coaching middle and high school wrestling, exercising and fitness as well as traveling with his wife and twin sons during school breaks. 

Darrell Smith, Director of Quality

Darrell Smith has been a part of Summit’s Quality Management team since 2019, and has recently been promoted to directorship. He has over 40 years of aviation experience.

His career began in the United States Marine Corps, followed by numerous Quality Management positions at both The Boeing Company and most recently Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky helicopter company. 

Darrell holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University and has received several awards for “Diversity and Inclusion.”

FUN FACT about Darrell: Darrell is an avid Philadelphia Eagles football fan, who loves fishing and golfing. While he has a Mechanical Engineering degree from Johns Hopkins, his proudest accomplishment is graduating from the Marine Corps boot camp.

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"Dan's extensive military and aerospace background, combined with his leadership skills and deep understanding of MRO, make him an important contributor to our team,” said Tom Lark, vice president and general manager for Summit Aviation. “We are confident that he will assist Summit in the direction of significant growth and success in our military sales efforts." 

Prior to joining Summit Aviation, Mr. Robinson held significant sales and leadership roles at GBG Group and its subsidiary IDology and JTEK Data Solutions, leveraging his vast military and civilian experience to drive success. 

Mr. Robinson has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Towson University, an MBA from Auburn University, and a Management Certificate from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. 

He will be based in Huntsville, Alabama. 

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Bringing over three decades of extensive experience in aerospace maintenance, repair, completions and operations, Mr. Flansburg’s distinguished career includes pivotal senior roles at leading aerospace organizations such as Boeing Vertical Lift, Sikorsky Helicopters and DeCrane Aerospace among others. He most recently served as executive vice president and general manager of special command programs for L3 Harris Technologies.

"Robert’s extensive background and proven track record in aviation operations make him the ideal leader to advance our maintenance and completions operations,” said Tom Lark, vice president and general manager for Summit Aviation. “His strategic vision and commitment to excellence are key to our continued success. We are excited to see the heights our operations will reach under his guidance."

In his new capacity, Mr. Flansburg will spearhead the entirety of maintenance operations of Summit Aviation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certified Repair Station including ensuring Summit’s operations align impeccably with stringent federal aviation standards, including Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) among other regulatory frameworks. Additionally, he will collaborate closely with Summit team leaders to uphold a seamless operational flow, emphasizing the importance of quality, compliance, and strategic alignment across all departments.

Mr. Flansburg begins his duties with Summit Aviation on March 11.

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Mr. Lark has more than two decades of operations and aerospace experience with expertise in manufacturing, rotorcraft completions, aircraft customizations, and MRO management in both commercial and military segments. In his new position, he will be responsible for the overall operations at Summit’s Middletown, Delaware and Greensboro, North Carolina facilities. 

"Tom's addition to our leadership team at Summit Aviation is a pivotal moment for us," stated Jim Ziegler, Vice Chairman of Greenwich AeroGroup. “His extensive operational background aligns seamlessly with our vision to elevate Summit to new heights of success, particularly in enhancing customer service and driving our operational and growth strategies forward." 

Mr. Lark's career history includes several senior leadership roles with prestigious companies such as Sanmina Corporation, Chromalloy Gas Turbine, Sikorsky Aerospace and Ranger Aerospace, among others. 

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Mr. Lark served in the United States Army as an aviation officer specializing in aircraft and component MRO at the intermediate and depot levels. Also known for his business acumen, he has a Master of Business Administration from Duke University and a Certificate in Advanced Project Management from Stanford University. 

He begins his duties with Summit Aviation, Inc. on December 4th. 

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Summit Aviation Inc., a Greenwich AeroGroup company, is proud to announce its achievement as the first Delaware employer to register Apprenticeship Standards with the Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training, Office of Apprenticeship. In addition, Summit has successfully completed an Apprentice Agreement, marking the company as the first in Delaware to introduce the Aviation Maintenance Mechanic Registered Apprenticeship program. 

The newly established apprenticeship program will provide hands-on training opportunities and professional development for aspiring aviation professionals. Summit Aviation has taken a significant stride forward in supporting a more empowered workforce. One in which real-time experience combined with a career pathway lays the groundwork for aviation innovation within the region. 

“Our foray into the aviation industry is another example of our Registered Apprenticeship program finding opportunities to place Delawareans in different spaces, particularly those in underrepresented communities,” said Secretary of Labor Karryl Hubbard. “We know the aviation industry pays high wages for skilled workers. This innovation helps Delaware compete as we develop the next generation of aviation workers.” 

Ralph Kunz, Vice President and General Manager of Summit Aviation, expressed his enthusiasm about this initiative, "We are thrilled to be leading the way in Delaware by offering the first Registered Apprenticeship program in aviation maintenance,” he said. “This apprenticeship program will provide valuable career opportunities and professional development for individuals who are passionate about aviation and eager to contribute to this dynamic industry." 

Summit Aviation's commitment to nurturing talent is exemplified by the appointment of Ms. Abigail "Abby" Holloway, a recent graduate from Bohemia Manor High School, as their first-ever Aircraft Maintenance Registered Apprentice. As part of the program, Ms. Holloway will attend the Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance to complete the Registered Related Technical Instruction (RTI) program. This comprehensive curriculum will equip her with the necessary knowledge and expertise to excel in the aviation maintenance field. Through this hands-on experience and classroom instruction, she will develop a solid foundation to thrive in her role at Summit Aviation. 

Kunz added that, “Summit Aviation recognizes the importance of investing in the next generation of aviation professionals. By establishing this apprenticeship program, Summit aims to bridge the skills gap, foster career growth, and cultivate a highly skilled workforce in the aviation industry.” 

Pictured above left to right: Michelle Susi, Summit Aviation; Joe Olivere, Delaware Department of Labor; Abby Holloway, Lynn Trent, Summit Aviation and John Morris, Polytech School of Aviation Maintenance

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U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh recognized Summit Aviation as one of the 835 recipients of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by the U.S. Department of Labor on November 9, 2022. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans (HIRE Vets) Award Medallion Program implements the requirements of the HIRE Vets Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-31). It is the only veteran-hiring award given at the federal level and recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention and professional development.

“We are honored to once again be recognized with this elite reward,” said Ralph Kunz, vice president and general manager for Summit Aviation. “Our veteran employees exemplify unique leadership, technical expertise and problem-solving abilities – those are highly valued skill sets in any workplace – particularly ours. We are humbled to work alongside our veterans each day.”

Recipients of the 2022 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; pay compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans. More than 1,400 employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Award since 2018.

Summit Aviation currently employs 75 veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

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Summit Aviation Manufacturing was formed in 2014 when Greenwich AeroGroup retained the manufacturing side of then-owned Atlantic Aero upon its divestiture to Landmark Aviation. 

Summit Aviation’s manufacturing division will gain an additional 19k square feet of space compared to its former location in Kernersville, which it had been in since 2008. The 49-thousand-square-foot facility is also smack dab in the middle of a growing area of aviation and closer to many of its customers. 

“We are extremely excited to be in this new locale,” said Summit’s Greensboro Director of Manufacturing Garrett Wishon. “The increased space provides us with the opportunity to expand our capabilities and add new machinery that allows us to serve our aviation and other types of industry customers in a capacity we haven’t been able to do prior to this move.” 

Wishon added that among the new machinery is a 4 x 12-foot 5-Axis mill. It will allow Summit technicians to machine landing gear, leading edges, wing spars, etc. up to 12 feet long, noting it will be a game-changer for them. 

The new location’s open floor plan also affords the company the ability to create an optimal flow for lean manufacturing. 

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Summit began serving S-92 operators in 2016. The company became a Sikorsky Authorized Customer Support Center for Sikorsky S-76 legacy aircraft in 2013, followed by Sikorsky S-76D helicopters in 2016.

“We are extremely pleased to include the S-92 helicopter to our current certificate,” said Ralph Kunz, vice president and general manager for Summit Aviation. “This authorization along with our recent EASA certification opens the doors for us to serve even more S-92 operators.”

Summit has been providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services for fixed wing and rotorcraft markets domestically and internationally for more than 60 years.

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The certification approval allows Summit Aviation to provide maintenance services on aircraft currently registered in member countries of the European Union. For Summit, applicable aircraft would include corporate, rotorcraft and foreign military.

“We are excited to add EASA certification to our current list of accreditations,” said Ralph Kunz, vice president and general manager for Summit Aviation. “It permits us the opportunity to provide services for EU member customer aircraft that we have been unable to in the past.”

EASA certification is for aircraft maintenance and repair organizations located in the United States and Canada. Summit has been an FAA-Certified Repair Station since 1966.

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