MEET CORY LATIOLAIS - COO APAC

Cory Latiolais is PHI Aviation’s COO for its APAC region.

At HomeBase, we put some questions to Cory to better understand what makes him tick.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I believe leadership styles can, and often should, change depending on each situation, our strategy, our teams and our customer needs. Currently, we’re transitioning an entire regional office and I’m leading new team members, so my style is a mix of direct and ‘servant’ leadership.

I’m cognizant that there’s a fine balance between the need to take quick, decisive action toward a key business or team goal, and when it’s a value-add to seek team or individual input. With my background as both a certified maintenance technician and a certified safety professional, I’m accustomed to working across all levels to identify a solution that works for both our teams and our customers and that we are critically aligned with PHI’s core values.

I value critical thinking—the more we seek to understand how each department functions and how we impact each other, the more success we will have as a team and organization—and, more importantly, the more success each of our employees will have. My expectation is that all PHI employees—regardless of their job or title—view themselves as leaders of our organization.

What has been your career highlight at PHI to date?

The highlight of my career is the execution of our recent 10-year United States Gulf of Mexico (USGOM) contract. The long hours spent negotiating and countless time spent applying the multiple facets that I’ve learned in my tenure at PHI was a phenomenal experience—and well worth it for the sustainability of our business and the long-term relationships we have with our valued customers.

What keeps you grounded?

My upbringing keeps me grounded. My parents and grandparents worked very hard, and we were raised within our means. I can count on two hands how many days my dad missed work. He worked long hours with heavy machinery, and he never complained or quit.

I’m proud to say that I was the first generational college graduate on both sides of my family. I completed my college finance degree within 4 years while working full-time at PHI at the age of 39—paying for your own education is a humbling experience as well.

I am also grounded in my faith, but, above all, my mom is my inspiration—she’s tireless. She raised our family firmly but fairly and continues to be my inspiration and biggest advocate to this day.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

Outside of work I like to keep busy trying to stay in shape. I’ve always lifted weights but found CrossFit a few years ago. I am not as consistent as I would like to be, but I enjoy the rigor of the program. I also enjoy cooking and have a passion for cars.

Do you have a favorite family recipe? What is it?

My favorite family recipe is seafood gumbo or Cajun jambalaya. During my high school and aviation school years, I worked in a large seafood restaurant. I also owned my own restaurant a few years back and continue to enjoy cooking for others.

What was your first job?

My first job was washing dishes every weekend at a local restaurant. This started at the age of 13 and I worked every weekend during my high school years. As the years progressed, so did my job responsibilities and weekly hours. I have a pretty good understating of the restaurant industry.

At PHI, my first job was working as a certified maintenance technician in our Lafayette Part 145 maintenance organization. There, we worked on many different model-type helicopters related to refurbishments and overhauls. It was a great place to learn the intricate details of different aircraft and the many aspects that go into each of these rebuild processes. I worked there for my first eight years and have fond memories with lots of lifelong friends.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an aircraft fighter pilot. After watching Top Gun in the 80s, how could you not want to be a fighter pilot? Although coming from a military family, I chose a different route and after graduating I went straight to aviation maintenance school, becoming certified at the age of 19.

Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?

I will eat it, but no—I do not request it.

How do you like to start your workday?

Most of my days start very early, and I move quickly to the office or workplace—usually arriving at 5 am or 6 am. I grab a cup of coffee on my way and normally skip breakfast to maximize my time. It is always quiet first thing in the morning, which I find of tremendous value to me. In addition to starting meetings with my US counterparts, this time gives me an opportunity to catch up on emails and other outstanding items before diving into the busyness of the day ahead.

What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you started working at PHI?

That it’s okay to fail. I’ve had my fair share of disappointments, and I’m my own worst critic. Failing is an important step in learning—it helps you understand that by applying discipline and consistency, eventually your goals will be realized.