Thriving in #BizAv

Meet Jay Gallagher, Managing Director of Aviation Search Group, and Julia Harrington, Lead Captain/Base Manager of Axis Jet. ??

How did you join the business aviation industry?

Jay Gallagher – By accident, when I was 18, my mom sent me to the mall to get a nice sweater for Christmas. As fate would have it, while walking by an Air Force recruiter's office, one thing led to another, and before I knew it, I found myself in Air Force basic training, on the path to becoming an aircraft mechanic. I developed a strong passion for aviation and upon completing my six year enlistment, I discovered business aviation.

Julia Harrington – My love for aviation started when I was young - my dad started taking me to AirVenture Oshkosh when I was 8 years old. I loved being around the airplanes and pilots, and just knew I wanted to be involved in aviation somehow. I studied aviation in college, and I knew I wanted to be involved in business aviation.

Describe your career path thus far, has it been a straight line, zig-zag or a steady slope up?

Jay Gallagher – My career path has been like a squiggly line, constantly moving upward. I started off as an Air Force mechanic, following the standard mechanics route, obtaining my A&P/I.A certification and steadily progressing through the ranks. Eventually, I became a Part 135/91 maintenance manager. It was during this time that fate intervened. While working on the owner's airplane at my current company, I shared my career goals, background and education with him. Little did I know, I was unknowingly going through a series of interviews for the position of managing director at Aviation Search Group.

Julia Harrington – My path has been a pretty steady slope up, but it required taking some risks to get here. Along the way, I applied for numerous positions that I wasn’t qualified for on-paper. Regardless, I put myself out there. Through taking those risks, I ended up getting an amazing internship and then my first professional flying job at a part 135 charter company.

Do you have any advice for identifying ambitious, yet attainable goals?

Jay Gallagher – One of my favorite quotes on goals is, ‘I believe goals should never be easy; they should push you to work, even if they make you uncomfortable at the time.’ I think it‘s important to have multiple goals concurrently, both professionally and personally, encompassing your faith and family. Then, you can start chopping down the tree, with every swing of the ax gradually chipping away.

Julia Harrington – It’s so important to have the self-confidence to believe you deserve the opportunities you’re going after. I started asking ‘why not me?’ and it really shifted my perspective on going for things that seemed difficult to attain. Someone has to win every scholarship, get awarded every internship or get every job, so why can't it be me or you?

What accomplishment are you most proud of??

Jay Gallagher – Being selected to be on the NBAA Young Professionals (YoPro) Council, and getting the opportunity to represent and lead my industry peers is something that I value deeply.

Julia Harrington – I’m most proud of becoming a Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 award recipient and being chosen for a leadership position on the YoPro Council. I love the work we do on the council, and I’m honored to be leading such an amazing and inspiring group of business aviation professionals.

What is your favorite book, podcast or influencer for personal/professional development?

Jay Gallagher – I really admire and enjoy listening to David Goggins, as well as watching his videos and reading his books. He has written 'Can't Hurt Me' and 'Never Finished.”

Julia Harrington – I love the books “Lean In,” by Sheryl Sandberg and “Start with Why,” by Simon Sinek. I reread them when I need a boost in energy for leadership or if I’m in a rut with professional inspiration.

What is your favorite part about working in business aviation?

Jay Gallagher –That is the easiest question to answer. The people in business aviation are by far the absolute best. We work with such a dynamic and diverse industry that all wants to be better and that is truly inspiring to me. I always say I am in the people business and have the benefit of being around airplanes.

Julia Harrington –The people and the sense of a tight-knit community. I love how close the business aviation family is, and I love feeling a part of it. The people who come into this industry are visionaries and change makers. They’re the people shaping the future of aviation as a whole, and I love working alongside people who inspire me so much.

What is something unique about yourself?

Jay Gallagher – I regularly ride dirt bikes and am a vintage motocross enthusiast. I restored a 1957 Cessna 172 with my wife and we fly it for fun, and we have a really cool dog named Bear.??