In Conversation with Delorean Andrews: Navigating the Skies & Life (continued) If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Delorean: I would love to visit Africa. I am AfricanAmerican, and I’ve always been in the United States. I’ve stepped out of the United States a few times, going to the Dominican Republic and Mexico, but I’ve always been drawn to Africa. I would like to go to the Serengeti, to be specific. Growing up, I always watched National Geographic, and I’ve always wanted to see the animals roaming free. I would love to visit the Serengeti! What is your connection to John DeLorean? Delorean: My connection to John DeLorean? Well, the exclusive story would be that my father and mother were in the hospital trying to name me, to come up with a name out of so many different names like Kevin, Darryl, Michael, etc. They eventually saw John DeLorean in the news, going to court. While my dad was holding me, he looked up and saw John DeLorean on TV and asked my mom, “What about DeLorean?” She said she liked the name. So, my connection is being named after the vehicle he created, designed, and manufactured. What do you see in the US as far as job markets, any geographic areas that you think might benefit from things that you see as possibilities? Delorean: I think every city has its own unique sector of engineering and expertise. I believe that if you give people the tools they need to work, they could get an assignment or a job in any city. From my experience, people love to work, people love to provide for their families. I believe that if you place an aircraft manufacturer in, let’s say, Houston, Texas, it will prosper. One thing I’ve learned is that a lot of folks don’t know about aviation. Some just think aviation is hopping on a plane when they take a trip from Miami to Philadelphia. They don’t know that those planes are actually built here in the United States. Some folks
think those planes are built elsewhere. Aviation is just such a unique sector that it’s overlooked at times because of the lack of education or exposure to it at a younger age. Of what are you most proud? Delorean: That’s a very good question. I never really thought about that. I’m most proud of my experiences. I feel like if I never went through the things that I went through in my early stages of life, I probably wouldn’t be who I am today. So, I’m most proud of perseverance, being able to overcome obstacles. I’m proud of being self-motivated. For a lot of folks, it’s hard to be motivated in a negative situation. So, I’m just thankful and proud of where I’m at today, where I built my career to be, and what my life became. I think that’s probably what I’m most proud of right now. Could you share a general pathway story of how you first got any kind of bug for what you do today? Delorean: I would have never thought about it in a million years, seriously. I didn’t grow up in an aviation family or a military family. I do have military family members, but my immediate family never had any type of aviation experience or exposure. No one in my family is a pilot. I will be the first, as I’m currently getting my pilot’s license as a student. I do have a cousin whom I inspire. He’s getting his commercial pilot license. So, it’s kind of an unspoken competition between us to be the first in the family to receive our pilot license. Backing up a little bit, I come from a small town, Dayton, Ohio. My mother was in college at the time, attending Dayton University. She got pregnant during her senior year and was on the verge of not having me because she was in the middle of school. My grandmother stepped in and suggested she have the baby and bring me to Miami while she finished her senior year. This way, she could finish school and
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