Honoring 50-year employees

^{Pictured left to right: Ron and Tracy Draper, Jim Talbott, Perry Jones, Donald Haun, Leah Griffin and Ian and Noreen Northrop.}

Textron Aviation is proud to recognize the extraordinary dedication of three employees, Donald Haun, Perry Jones and Ian Northrop, who have each achieved 50 years of service with the company. Their experience and commitment continue to shape the workforce and inspire the journey of flight. 

Each honoree was recognized at a special employee celebration and joined President and CEO Ron Draper for a flight aboard a Cessna Citation Sovereign to Kansas City, Missouri, where they enjoyed a celebratory dinner and reflected on the evolution of the aviation industry, the people who influenced their journeys and the moments that made their careers meaningful. 

What has kept you motivated and committed for five decades? 

Being able to work on several different models and see how technology has changed over the years. I’m a woodworker by trade, so I’ve always appreciated the craftsmanship and how it all comes together. 

What advice would you give someone just starting their career? 

It’s definitely a good career to get into. Today there are more opportunities than when I started. If you want to move up, the tools are there. Take advantage of them and keep learning. 

What is your favorite memory of your time with the company? 

Just working with all the people. Throughout my time, Precision Pattern Inc. all the way through the buyout, it’s really been about the great people I’ve worked with. 

What has kept you motivated and committed for five decades? 

Good wages and a job I truly enjoyed. And, of course, the good people I’ve worked with over the years. That makes all the difference. 

What advice would you give someone just starting their career? 

Take advantage of what the company offers, especially benefits and savings programs. Put as much as you can into your 401(k) and take full advantage of the company match. When they started offering that in 1989, I jumped on it, and it’s made a big difference over time. 

What is your favorite memory of your time with the company? 

I used to be part of the ski club. Every Thanksgiving, we’d get on a bus at Beech Field and head to Aspen, Colorado, for a ski trip. Those trips were a lot of fun and something I’ll always remember. 

What has kept you motivated and committed for five decades? 

Every day is different. You don’t always know what you’ll be working on when you come in, and there’s always something new. No day is ever the same and that keeps me going. 

What advice would you give someone just starting their career? 

Enjoy your job. You’re paid for the work you put in each day, whether it’s something new or a task you’ve done before. Don’t get hung up on repetition, do the work, be willing to pitch in 

and keep a good attitude. 

What is your favorite memory of your time with the company? 

Being part of the first flight of the Beechcraft Denali was an unforgettable milestone. I had served as AES Manager on the program since its inception in 2014 and supported the team from the Telemetry room during that historic flight. It was especially meaningful because I had previously worked with one of the pilots during our time in the UK at Raytheon Corporate Jets/BAe and during my time at Beechcraft. 

Start your journey with a team that has defined excellence for decades. Exploring current job openings at txtav.com/careers or visit the Career & Learning Center at Suite 400, 293 S. Greenwich Rd, Wichita, Kansas 67206.