2015 40 Under 40: Amber Channel
Amber Channel: Breaks Barriers in Aviation
Customer Service Manager
Denver Jet Center
Age: 24
Years in Aviation: 7
Memberships: Women in Aviation (WAI), Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA), AAAE
Did you know?
When Channel was little, she only spoke Japanese.
Once upon a time, Amber Channel dreamed of being an astronaut. But being of a practical nature, Channel decided being a pilot might be better fit. Though after 80 hours in a Cessna 172, she ultimately decided flying was not for her, Channel found she still loved the industry. She switched her major at Metropolitan State University of Denver to Aviation Management and graduated in May 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree. While getting her degree, she joined the Mile High Women in Aviation Chapter (WAI) and currently serves as the chapter president. She also became a part of the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) and is the current co-education chair. For a short amount of time, Channel was also the secretary for Metropolitan State University AAAE student chapter. Channel credits her schooling and involvement these organizations for preparing her for position she holds today as the customer service manager in Denver Jet Center at Centennial Airport. She started at Denver Jet Center in May of 2013 and became the customer service manager in February of 2015. This job has provided her the opportunity to fly in various aircraft, meet exciting people, travel to new places, and learn new things every day. The biggest challenge Channel sees in aviation today is a learning gap between older and younger generations because technology is moving so quickly, and the industry is changing constantly. The younger individuals come with new ideas and technology but older professionals sometimes prefer to keep the classic aviation mentality. She says it can be intimidating to present new ideas and teach new ways of doing business. The idea of aviation has not changed, she adds, but it is moving to computers, tablets and cell phones for communication, billing, planning and marketing.