2016 AMT Next Gen Award: Michael J. Cataldo
Michael J. Cataldo, 36, is Senior Maintenance Technician/Safety Officer for Cox Enterprises in Atlanta, GA.
A friend's father who was in the aviation maintenance industry encouraged Cataldo to go to A&P school and provided him with the necessary information and resources to get enrolled at Atlanta Technical College in its aviation maintenance technology program. "Harold Tenbrink was an inspector with Delta Airlines, a seasoned professional, and good at relating to the youth in the neighborhood in which I grew up," he says.
Cataldo started his career at Raytheon Aircraft Services as an A&P technician and an electrical troubleshooting apprentice. He was hired on at Cox Enterprises in 2002 as an A&P technician, promoted to senior technician in 2007, and safety officer in 2009. His current responsibilities include co-chair of the safety committee, internal ISBAO audit and compliance, OSHA compliance, aid in maintenance planning and budgeting for corporate flight department, maintenance and repair of light jet aircraft, flight technician on international missions, and various other duties. He specializes in avionics and electrical troubleshooting and software applications.
He has an Inspector Authorization certificate along with both the Aircraft Electronics Technician (AET) and the Nav/Comm endorsements from the National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT). He has two associate degrees, one from Eastern New Mexico University in aircraft maintenance technology and the other from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in business management. He is working on a master's in accounting from Georgia Southern University. He has earned the FlightSafety International Master Technician title for the Hawker and G-V aircraft models, and he is only one course away from earning the same rating on the G-IV and G-280 platforms. He has taken a course at the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering on safety management systems, and he played an active role in the latest revision of Cox's Operations Manual.
James Lee Bradshaw, assistant maintenance manager at Cox Enterprises, says, "There are only a handful of people who consistently exhibit those leadership traits which set them apart from those who would merely be good employees, and a person doesn’t have to labor with Michael for 10 years to realize that he possesses all of the tools necessary to lead and motivate others. He is a highly effective communicator with strong organization skills and his professional demeanor sets a positive example for all those who interact with him. Michael is not only an industrious worker and an innovative leader but he is also an amiable person as well. His eternally upbeat attitude allows him to establish rapport almost immediately but it is his willingness to help others that endears him to those of us who call him a friend. He never misses an opportunity to share his knowledge and he loves to mentor those who are looking to better themselves."
To give back to the industry he is involved as a mentor for Cox’s annual internship program. He also belongs to NBAA and Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) and attends various GBAA events (Safety Day, annual meetings) as well as the NBAA Maintenance Managers Conference and Bombardier Safety Standdown.
His future goals include a leadership/management role within the Cox Flight Department, and possibly at Cox’s headquarters. In post-retirement from Cox, he would like to create a business which aids corporate flight departments with their SMS implementation, ISBAO compliance, and other operational audits as needed.