Ron grew up in the small midwestern town of Columbus, Nebraska. His first job at age 15 was working at an FBO there refueling GA aircraft. The owner of the FBO and his son were both professional crop dusters and expertly piloted Cessna Ag Trucks. They also owned a Piper Cub for recreational flying. This immersive and influential experience at such a young age sparked Ron’s lifelong interest in aviation.
Ron earned his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1993. He earned his Master of Arts in Business Management from Bellevue University in 1996.
Beginning in 1999, the majority of Ron’s aviation maintenance career was with FedEx in Indianapolis, Indiana. He spent his initial years there working as a hangar AMT on heavy maintenance B-checks on DC-10s and 727s. Then in 2005, he transferred across the airfield to work as a flight line AMT on the full fleet of 757s, 767s, 777s, A300s, MD-10/11s.
Ron worked as Acting Lead AMT on larger maintenance group tasks such as engine changes. He also volunteered to help mentor younger AMTs that were new to the flight line environment. The IND Hub Ops flight line with its massive package sorting facilities was a large and chaotic 24/7/365 operation. FedEx utilized 120+ aircraft gates at the IND Hub alone. After 28 years of service, Ron retired from FedEx in 2023.
Ron, his wife Claudette, and daughter Megan are very excited about relocating to New Smyrna Beach. Ron’s older brother and extended family reside in Jacksonville, Florida.