2016 AMT Next Gen Awards: Marcelina Plesiak

Marcelina Plesiak, 39, says, "I sort of stumbled upon the aviation industry when I was 22. What was supposed to be a temporary month-long work assignment at a Bombardier facility in Montreal, turned into a lifelong career."

Plesiak began her career with with Bombardier in 2001 as an inventory analyst in Montreal and has steadily moved around within the Bombardier organization ever since. She then became a customer account manager, covering several U.S. and Canadian regions. In 2007, she transferred to Bombardier’s Hartford Service Center as a customer service account manager to support the maintenance customers on site and two years later transferred within the service center to become a material support buyer where she assisted customers and company personnel obtain the parts they required, often in AOG situations.

In 2013 she decided to pursue a technical career and started working part time as a mechanic in order to attend CT Aero Tech in Hartford, CT, during the day. When she graduated and obtained her A&P certificate in December 2015, she became a full-time A&P mechanic assigned to the Global Express maintenance line. In June of this year she stepped in as project manager where she is in charge of a maintenance team and performs supervisory responsibilities for assigned employees and areas for multiple aircraft. She negotiates pricing, aircraft downtimes, is point of contact for maintenance customers, and ensures the aircraft are delivered on time. Plesiak has also attended the Global Express Maintenance Initial School.

Richard Dusseault, operations manager, Hartford Service Center, comments, "Marcelina's great work ethic and overachieving qualities has allowed Marcelina to move within the company. Her unique career path and work experience enables her to bring valuable assistance to her customers and fellow team members, in order to deliver top-notch service. Her constant support and commitment are a huge factor in making the team successful."

Plesiak says, "Now I get to mentor a new generation of A&Ps and share my passion for the industry."

As for her career goals, eventually she would like to be in charge of an aviation department.