CYQX STAFF PROFILE

Steve is originally from St. John’s but has lived in Gander for 30 years after his father came here to work with a local company. His wife Jay is a comptroller for a local contractor. They have one daughter, Madison.

Steve joined the airport team in mid 2014.

“I had friends that worked here and they said it was a great place to work,” he notes. In his short time at YQX, Steve settled in quickly and established himself as a dependable airport professional. Like most of the airport’s multi-skilled team, Steve is a field foremen and also doubles up as a firefighter. Steve has a reputation as a straight forward, no-nonsense guy with a wry sense of humor. He’s not a big talker – but we managed to extract a few works from him.

Q. What does a typical day at work involve for you?

A. In the  summer, are fire hall duties. I’m the second man in the Fire Hall, so there are bird checks, FOD (foreign object debris) inspections, regular maintenance work, training and everything that pops up on a given day. In the winter I serve as field foreman. In aviation, safety is everything, so it’s a lot of responsibility.

Q. You serve multiple roles at the airport and Gander Airport obviously doesn’t have the resources or manpower of large urban areas. How do you deal with the task at hand?

A. Sometimes it’s trying, but we get through it. We have a good bunch of people here. Everybody works well together good and we get the job done.

Q. What qualities do you need to be a good field foreman? What’s your approach to this leadership role?

A. You need two things: a lot of patience, and a good group of people. We have a good team. You’re only as good as the people working alongside you.

Q. What’s your favorite part of the job?

A. With all the different aircraft that land at Gander, it’s an interesting place to work. There’s always something different happening , whether its field maintenance or serving in the fire hall. So you’re always at something different and that’s the best part of it.

Q. Do you have any hidden talents?

A. Not that I know of.

Q. What are you listening to on your iPod right now?

A. I don’t have one of those iPod things. I have an old eight track. I listen to a lot of Van Morrison and The Stones.

Q. What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?

A.  My wife, daughter and I went to Florida. That was definitely our best vacation.

Q. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

A. I’d like the power to stop all of the weather occurring over the Gander Airport.

Q. The world is ending tomorrow morning, what are you having for the last supper this evening?

A. Hamburgers.

Q. What destination is on your bucket list as a place you must visit?

A. British Columbia.

Q. What’s your most cherished possession?

A. That would be my daughter.

Q. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

A. Don’t sweat the small stuff.