CEO Leader of the Day, Abdol Moabery, GA Telesis, LLC

(This post is an extract of 100 CEO Leaders in STEM, a publication by STEMconnector. We thank our sponsors: Diversified Search , Tata Consultancy Services, Sodexo and Walmart. We are grateful to our partners: United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and DiversityComm.)

 Submitted by Abdol Moabery, GA Telesis, LLC

Why do you believe STEM education/workforce development is critical to our nation’s future?

On a global scale, there is an ever-increasing need for highly skilled candidates to enter the workforce in a STEM related field. Expertise in science, technology, engineering or mathematics drives innovation, and as the world’s leader, it is extremely important that the United States be at the front of the pack in terms of cultivating this expertise and developing this workforce. Recent studies have shown that while interest in STEM related degree types has increased over the last decade, the number of STEM related degrees coming out of U.S. Universities is disproportionate to the increasing number of job opportunities for these types of candidates. This is a deficiency that needs to be curtailed before it becomes a reality; the competition the U.S. faces from other nations as it relates to STEM education/ workforce looks only to increase. It is my belief that as a nation we are at a critical point in terms of reinventing our education system. Our current education system was developed too long ago and needs to be revamped with more of a focus on STEM related fields in order that we meet the growing challenge of maintaining the highest quality workforce.

What do we need to do in the U.S. to continue to be at the top of global innovation?

As a nation we need to make a concerted effort to raise awareness about the need for STEM related degree types nationwide. Our company has several initiatives in place in support of STEM education that engages students at the high school level. Our mission is to engage students in STEM fields to get them to start thinking about possible STEM related careers prior to entering college or university. We need to develop a pipeline of young students who are fully informed about the value of a STEM degree as it relates to availability for employment and success in their careers. The fact is that many students today are graduating with degrees that are not necessarily being put into use after they enter the workforce. An increase in the availability of highly-skilled candidates post-graduation will increase the United States’ ability to develop innovative new technologies, as well as economic, political and medical advancements moving forward.

Beyond standards, what are the first steps that we should take to curb the STEM education crisis?

In order to curb the STEM education crisis within the U.S., I believe our first step should be to make STEM education just that: the first step. STEM education should be the focus of school curriculums well before students reach the University level. The future of innovation in this country is in the hands of our youth and it is imperative that they develop a strong base of knowledge in STEM subjects from an early age. We need a STEM focused curriculum that starts at kindergarten level and continues through high school. Most importantly, we need to make STEM fun and engaging for students. This means more than increasing test score standards and gearing curriculums towards these subjects. As a nation we need to invest more in developing a workforce of teachers who have an understanding of how to improve not only student achievement, but student engagement. Teachers who are well versed and engaged translates to students who are well-versed and engaged. Without this engagement from young students, the nation’s position as the global leader in technological development and scientific research will continue to diminish.

How can we leverage mentorships and apprenticeships to build and strengthen the STEM pipeline?

Mentorships and apprenticeships are an extremely effective way to build and strengthen the US pipeline for STEM related professionals. While a strong base of academic knowledge in STEM subjects is fundamental to success in a STEM related career field, so too is the practical application of this knowledge. Taking part in a mentorship/apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity for both pre and post graduate students to supplement their education in a STEM related field outside of the classroom. Additionally, mentorships and apprenticeships allow these students to see just how their education will be utilized in a given field or career path. This, in turn will help increase engagement in these fields and provide real world knowledge on how these students can utilize their education in the best way possible, both for themselves and for the nation as a whole.

What area of STEM are you most passionate about?

The areas of STEM that I am the most passionate about would be technology and engineering. Innovations in technology and engineering have been the cornerstone of progress within the aviation industry since the days of the Wright Brothers. Every day new developments are being made to further the science of flight, improve the aircraft and engine manufacturing process, track and analyze airport and airline consumer data, and monitor the need for repairs and maintenance on aircraft, to name just a few. These developments wouldn’t be possible without professionals with a solid background in STEM based subjects, particularly those of technology and engineering. The aviation industry will need to sustain a workforce of these bright, well-educated and forward thinking professionals in order that we can continue to innovate moving forward.

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About Abdol Moabery - A serial entrepreneur, he is responsible for the start-up, organization and development of GA Telesis. Mr. Moabery has 25 years of direct experience in various disciplines in aviation from flight, lease and structured finance to logistics and maintenance. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Aviation Systems International, Inc., where his responsibilities included oversight and management of worldwide operations. Prior to joining ASI, Mr. Moabery was with C-S Aviation Services, Inc., where he was responsible for the sale and marketing of the company’s aviation assets. For full bio, click here

GA Telesis, LLC -  GA Telesis is a worldwide leader in providing support services to the commercial aerospace industry. With financial, supply chain, component and heavy jet engine MRO businesses spanning the globe, GA Telesis is recognized as a pioneering leader in solutions-based services in its sector. As an innovator, GA Telesis is one of the few independent companies in the world capable of providing a total-support-solution to its customers from its front door, with several fully integrated operations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. GA Telesis also provides leasing and asset management services and maintains an extensive portfolio of leased assets exceeding $1 billion in value. The company has won numerous accolades including Air Transport World’s MRO of the Year, the Boeing Gold Services Award, Aviation Week’s MRO of the Year and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Good to Great Award.

About STEMconnector® - STEMconnector® is a consortium of over 150 companies, associations, academic institutions and government entities actively working to advance STEM education and the future of human capital. With several products and services, STEMconnector® is both a resource and a service, designed to link “all things STEM.” STEMconnector®’s® network includes organizations at the global, national, state and local levels. Our work spans the entire pipeline (Kindergarten to Jobs) and how STEM education experiences translate into careers. STEMconnector® has a particular emphasis on diversity and women. For information on how to become a member, contact: Lorena.Fimbres@STEMconnector.org

About 100 Leaders in STEM Series -100 Leaders in STEM brings together a collection of leaders taking an active role as STEM ambassadors within their companies and industries. The goal of this series is to build a collective voice calling for strong, diverse, STEM leadership. is the fifth iteration of STEMconnector®'s leadership series. It follows 100 CIO/CTO Leaders in STEM (2015),  100 Diverse Corporate Leaders in STEM (2014), 100 CEO Leaders in STEM( 2013), and 100 Women Leaders in STEM(2012). Every publication is complemented with a year of promotion and strategic events that will bring together the vision of one, collective voice. STEMconnector®'s next publication will be the 100 Corporate Women Leaders in STEM, to be released during our Global STEM Talent Summit, April 26-27th, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

To learn more, contact: Lorena.Fimbres@STEMconnector.org.