WomeninTechOps - AllFeatures

Giselle Alvarado – AMT, JFK Giselle has been with Endeavor since 2017 and is featured alongside women from different Endeavor Air workgroups – flight attendant, pilot, and corporate – in Endeavor’s International Women’s Day blog post.

“I didn’t have any female role models in the aviation industry, but thinking back on it, that’s what motivated me even more to be a part of the world of aviation – I wanted to a part of the very few that are. Even this year, there’s only 6 female mechanics compared to the 50+ male mechanics in my base alone, so maybe I can inspire someone and be their role model one day!

For me personally, I feel proud being in a mostly male-dominated industry, especially being a mother to two boys.

My oldest is 3 years old and my youngest is 10 months old. I’m happy they are growing up in a world where they know their mom fixes airplanes during the day before coming home to play with them. A world where they know and respect that girls and boys can do anything they want to do.

If I had to give advice to a girl wanting to join the industry would be to have confidence! It helps when you’re doing the job. Once you believe in and trust in yourself, no one is going to rain on your parade and your accomplishments!”

Lori Demulling – Mgr. Inspector, MSP Lori has been with Endeavor since 2011 and has been in the aviation industry for 28 years.

“I didn’t have any female role models in the aviation industry, mainly because it was very difficult to find women in an aircraft maintenance position 28 years ago. My dad inspired me, as he was an inspector at Northwest Airlines. He would take me to the hangar on ‘Bring Your Child to Work Day’, and I loved seeing the different sides of aircraft maintenance. I was proud of what he did.

Back in 2000, I helped start the first chapter of Association for Women in Aircraft Maintenance (AWAM) in Minnesota, and I was President for 7 years. There were 5 or 6 of us from different areas in aviation that helped put it together.

It was great being a part of AWAM. We would bring in girls that ranged from kids to highschoolers and tell them about our experiences in aviation and what they could encounter. This chapter was something that we never had growing up, so it felt good to give the future generation this experience.

If I had to give advice to a girl or woman wanting to join aviation, I would suggest getting involved with various aviation focused organizations, build professional connections with people, be yourself, and be confident. It’s okay to not know everything. I’m still learning every day.”

Michelle Williamson – Engineer, HDQ Michelle has been with the airline for 12 years and has held several roles within Endeavor Air Tech Ops, including technician (AUS), lead technician (LGA), heavy check representative (WVAC/Various), and currently, engineer (HDQ).

“It feels great to be a woman in Tech Ops. Being a part of the group that ‘makes airplanes fly’ brings me so much pride and satisfaction.

While I did not have any true aviation-based female guidance in my life, I was brought up by a dedicated, hardworking, and highly successful mother who paved the way for my continuous achievements with her resilience and undaunting support in both my personal life and my career.

I’ve been asked before on what feelings I have on being a woman in the more ‘maledominated’ area of aviation, and it has always made me laugh. I’ve gone from the feeling of being overwhelmed walking into A&P school being the only female, to now not seeing myself anywhere else or in any other industry.

For the last half decade, I’ve been involved with WAI (Women in Aviation International) and AWAM (Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance). I’ve always looked forward to the WAI conferences. Even though my mom has no formal aviation background, we go together for a girl’s trip and have found it remarkable to be surrounded by thousands of other women who are effectively navigating this industry.

If I had to give advice to a girl or woman wanting to join aviation, I would tell them, if you want it, go for it. There is nothing that’s out of limits in life. Work hard, be yourself, and never give up.”

Bree Holt – Stores Clerk, TYS Bree will be celebrating her 10-year anniversary with Endeavor next month.

“We have a great team here at TYS, and we try to support each other however we can. I had a rough couple of years starting in 2022; I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through the many surgeries and chemo treatments, the team was amazing at making sure I was taken care of. I knew I could ask any of them for help if I needed it.

My mom and aunt were my inspirations for joining the aviation industry. My mom was a cleaner when the airline used to be Pinnacle, and my aunt was a cleaner, too, before transitioning to being a Stores Clerk. My brothers and I would come to the hangar with my mom, and I remember thinking it was so cool to come in and see the planes. I never dreamed I could make a career out of it at the time.

I don’t want to be like that.

As a woman in Tech Ops, I feel like we need to help each other out. I’ve seen some instances where women haven’t been the most uplifting to each other, and

I’m also very lucky to be at a base and company where the ideas I have or things I say aren’t dismissed or overlooked. I know other women who still have to work hard to be heard and taken seriously.

It doesn’t seem like I’ve already worked at Endeavor for 10 years already. I have loved working here, and I’ve met some good friends – even my husband – here, too. Everyone brings something different to the table, and I am excited to continue to meet people and learn new things from them.”