What drew you to aviation? My dad worked for the FAA. When I was a young boy, he had the opportunity to work the FAA's booth during AirVenture Oshkosh. I went with my sister and mother. It all fascinated me. Now with the tables turned, I spend my time working the show for Garmin, and they can enjoy the sights and be fascinated. Is there someone specific who was a big help to your aviation career? In my first three years at Garmin, I spent a fair amount of time in Tim Casey's office. He was the former director of aviation aftermarket sales and my old boss. He was truly the first person to give me a chance in the aviation business, and I will be forever thankful to him for taking me under his wing. How would you describe yourself? I'm a down-to-earth, fun-loving person who takes great pride in a job well done. What do you think the industry does well? I'm always encouraged by the professionalism in our avionics industry. To see such a commitment to quality, safety and education is refreshing. It's easy to see that AEA members take their responsibility seriously. The cooperation among our businesses is not something you see in a lot of other industries. What are some of the challenges facing the industry today? One of the biggest challenges AEA members face today is finding qualified personnel to hire in order to grow their business and help with the increasing demand for avionics work. Since ADS-B requirements for GA aircraft are right around the corner (approaching four years until equipage requirements), demand for avionics retrofits will only increase. "I've seen firsthand the impact the AEA has to the overall industry, and I'm excited to have the opportunities to share my knowledge and viewpoints to help keep us all pointed toward future success." JIM ALPISER Continued on following page avionics news * october 2015 49