Who's the Boss?

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs
  • 931st Air Refueling Group
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Editor's Note: Who's the Boss is a Spirit feature that highlights the civilian occupations of 931st Reservists and the employers who support them. Group members are encouraged to submit their place of employment to be featured in Who's the Boss by contacting Tech. Sgt. Jason Schaap in the 931st Public Affairs office at (316) 759-3686, or via email at: jason.schaap@us.af.mil


Reservist: Senior Master Sgt. Kurt Smith, 931st Civil Engineer Squadron

Civilian Employer: Global Engineering and Technology, Inc. in Goddard, Kan.

Boss: Randall Salyer, President

Global Engineering and Technology, Inc., specializes in aviation interiors. The company's specialty is building and refurbishing high-end aircraft cabinetry for well-known clients like Cessna and Hawker-Beechcraft, but their products include everything from toilets to the hand-crafted leather that covers steering controls. Excluding the main structure of an aircraft, Salyer said he's "fairly certain" Global's employees "have the most labor in the airplane."

The work is highly specialized. Just about every step of its tedious processes is done by hand, Salyer said. There are only six companies in the world like Global; five of them are in Wichita, Kan.

Global ranks second among the six in volume and sales. The company was started with six employees in 1991 by an employee who left Global's number one competitor. The plan was to make Global a company based on quality, not quantity.

"We've done zero warranty work since I've been here," Salyer proudly claimed.
 
The company's current 225 workers are spread between locations in Goddard, Wichita and Hutchinson. Sergeant Smith started as an entry-level worker at Global 10 years ago. Now, he is the director of operations and usually "attached" at the hip with Salyer. Global's products are Sergeant Smith's responsibility from the start of their creation to the point customers take their possession.

"We're very proud of Kurt," Salyer said, referring not just to his advancement in the company but to his military service and work ethic he brings to his civilian job. "We love to hire guys like (him)."

That's easier said than done. "Extreme" pride has been found in Sergeant Smith's coworkers who also brought their military experience with them to Global, Salyer said, but not enough other veterans are applying for jobs.

The company's satellite location in Hutchinson, Kan., was an attempt to solve a labor shortage it still is suffering from. A "Now Hiring" sign sits outside not far from Sergeant Smith's office window.

Like Smith, new hires can start at the entry level, with little to no experience. "We'll work with them," Salyer said pleadingly. His goal: more Sergeant Smiths working for Global.