Shortly after graduating from PIA, Boschert enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where she pivoted from working on planes to working on the gas turbine systems that power the ships’ engines. Today, Boschert’s job duties as a Power Generation Service Technician for Curtis Power Solutions include performing oil changes and annual and semiannual inspections, as well as 24/7 service for repairs, upgrades, or new startups on generators.
Hoffman joined fellow rocket startup Astra as Senior Launch Engineer and Launch Conductor. In that capacity, Hofmann served as “the voice of the countdown,” running the procedures needed to launch Astra’s rockets and keep their entire team safe during launch events. This year, Astra promoted Hofmann to Senior Manager of Launch Operations Product Introduction.
“My PIA education has set me up for the best success,” says Boschert. “I got all the basic knowledge and understanding, not just on the engines, but also electrical, hydraulics, sheet metal, welding, and troubleshooting. I use everything I learned at PIA almost daily. I will forever be grateful to PIA for giving me the stepping stones to my career.”
SAVING LIVES AND PROTECTING COMMUNITIES
Helicopters provide vital support for public health and safety, and many PIA graduates find their role in supporting these helicopter missions to be extremely rewarding. Dustin Colella (PIA Pittsburgh, 2018) is a Quality Assurance Auditor at Air Methods, a nationwide air medical transport company that provides emergency services to over 70,000 patients annually in 48 states. His fellow Pittsburgh graduate Sam Briski (2019) is an A&P Mechanic at Pittsburgh-based STAT MedEvac, where he inspects, troubleshoots, and helps maintain a fleet of helicopters that provide medical transport for around 11,000 patients each year who have a critical illness or injury. STAT employs 35 aviation maintenance technicians throughout the country, most of whom are PIA graduates.
Law enforcement agencies also must keep their helicopter fleets in peak condition. As an Aviation Technician for the Maryland State Police, Patrick Glinski (PIA Pittsburgh, 2004) helps maintain ten AW139 helicopters used in medevac and police support missions. “I really like my job, because I know what I do here is crucial work,” says Glinski.
AIM FOR THE STARS
Elizabeth Householder (PIA Youngstown, 2021) grew up dreaming of working on spaceships, not aircraft. Earning her A&P certification empowered her to land her dream job right out of PIA: working as a Raptor Final Integration Technician at SpaceX. “I get the unique opportunity to see my work on television, YouTube, fan sites, and everywhere else,” says Householder. “The first time I saw one of my engines arrive at Starbase..., I was so thrilled and proud of my accomplishments. Seeing my engines mounted on Booster 7 or Starship 25 and actually seeing them being used is just an amazing (and gratifying) opportunity.” Chris Hofmann (PIA Pittsburgh, 2011) shares Householder’s passion for space. After working on the SpaceX team that built the Merlin Vacuum engines for the Falcon 9 rocket,
Suzanne Markle, PIA’s President & CEO, presented Mr. Bickerton with his certificate on August 2, 2022. He also received a $1500 award.
RECOGNIZING LEADERSHIP
T
he President’s Award for Exceptional Employee Achievement was created to recognize exemplary achievement among faculty and staff who rise above in areas such as character, innovation, exceptional standards, instructional excellence, and noteworthy accomplishments. Nominations come directly from faculty and staff who feel their peers have displayed such achievement. Todd Bickerton, 6th Quarter AMT instructor at the Pittsburgh campus, won the inaugural President’s Award. He received two nominations for the award. “He is willing to go above and beyond for students and other instructors,” wrote one nominator. “I am honored and humbled to have been recognized by my colleagues and be selected as the first recipient of the PIA President’s award,” said Mr. Bickerton. “It is absolutely rewarding watching these students grow as they get prepared to enter their career with confidence, and I look forward to the many more that will be coming through.”
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