2016 AMT Next Gen Award: Chad Michael Lewis
Chad Michael Lewis, 33, is an Operations Manager/Repair and Reclamation, Master Sergeant for the U.S. Air Force in Birmingham, AL.
At an early age Lewis always had a fascination with the idea of how a plane flew. As he got older and graduation neared he had to decide on his future path. He reflected back on his interest in aviation and decided to join the Air Force. The more he learns about aircraft maintenance, the more he loves the industry. "There is no question that I am where I need to be and I will continue to peruse my goals and aspirations in the aviation field."
Lewis has spent the last 15 years in the U.S. Air Force. He started off as a crew chief in Grand Forks, ND. After six years, the Air Force asked him to be a recruiter which he did for four years and then requested to go back to being an aircraft mechanic. He has served overseas on eight separate deployments to four different locations in support of five military operations totaling 842 days. He spent two years as a lead technician on a KC-135 where he excelled and his supervisor asked him to run an aeronautic repair section, which is his current job. His duties include supervising 15 people, coordinating and performing regular and unscheduled maintenance to meet operational requirements. He is also a team chief for a crash recovery program for the base.
Lewis feels privileged to have a few people who support him and help guide him. Steve King, senior director of maintenance with Cox Enterprises' aviation department, and Lee Bradshaw are his mentors.
He received his initial aviation training at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX. He earned an AS degree in aviation maintenance technologies in 2006 and an AS degree in human resources management in 2008. Lewis received his A&P license in 2013 from Baker's School of Aeronautics. He earned a BS degree in business management in 2016 from Park University. Advanced training has included Falcon 2000 MX initial, crash recovery school, repair and reclamation school, and advanced troubleshooting.
Lewis was nominated by James Lee Bradshaw, assistant maintenance manager at Cox Enterprises. Bradshaw says, "Currently, Chad is responsible for coordinating maintenance plans, meeting operational commitments, reviewing trend reports and data summaries, and performing staff and supervisory functions. All the while, he has maintained his vision for life after retirement from the Air Force. Chad already has his A&P licenses, and earlier this year, he was awarded a Technical Reward and Career (TRAC) scholarship by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) for a Falcon 2000 Maintenance Initial course which he just completed. Chad has an impressive academic résumé as well. His portfolio contains three Associate of Applied Science degrees (Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Human Resources Management, and Management). After adding up these many technical qualifications and all of his positive character traits, it is easy to see why I believe Chad Lewis is not only a true patriot, but also the perfect representative of the military’s aviation maintenance program."
To give back to the industry he serves as president of a non-profit organization who takes care of local active, retired, and reserve Air Force members and their families in Birmingham, AL, and the surrounding areas. And he mentors young subordinates to help them excel outside of the service.
Besides continuing to serve in the military, Lewis would also like to continue to pursue his master’s degree and any other training opportunities that come along. He would ultimately like to find a job within the business aviation sector with a company that is as passionate about aviation as he is.
