CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 12 2024 7 Oct24107 Stratify Aerospace is the brainchild of co-founder Damaris Toro, a former model and successful beauty pageant contestant, who comes from a long line of visionary entrepreneurs, and co-founder Gene Hayman who has more than 30 years of first-hand experience in the aviation industry. Their combined entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to results created the foundation for which Stratify was built on. Taking on the helm of the company as its President and CEO is Gene. With his vast experience in the aviation industry, including stints at Boeing, L-3 Communications, and Collins Aerospace, Gene has carved out a name for himself as a leader in this industry. Aside from the heavy hitters, Gene has also worked with smaller companies, lending his expertise to businesses of any size and shape that focus primarily on the aviation market, be it commercially or for the government. Over the course of a celebrated career, Gene has done it all, from managing large organizations with profit and loss responsibilities, growing a company’s footprint in the global aviation market, to writing articles and speaking at events offering up invaluable contributions to global air traffic management sector. Just some career highlights over the decades include working on the likes of the Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen Modernization efforts to CANSO’s Future Skies, as well as collaborating with other global leaders on modernising air traffic management systems around the world. Today an integral part of Stratify, Gene is responsible for overseeing the company’s direction and its growth, and his duties include managing fiduciary outcomes concerning profit and loss. Beyond this, Gene is the person who ensures the company upholds its vision and values, as well as that it retains the close relationships with its customers, guaranteeing that, by working side by side, the future of aviation can be explored, developed, and defined. Gene himself explains, “our approach begins with genuine listening – we don’t just hear what our customer’s say, we strive to deeply understand their objectives, challenges, and mission.” He continues: “We don’t just slot customers into a standard template. Instead, we dive in hands-on, fully committing to their success as much as they are.” Having proudly served on a number of aviation boards and committees over his career, including chairing the AIA’s Air Transportation System Committee, Gene has crafted his own unique approach to leadership – one that is grounded in inclusivity. From actively listening to encouraging every member of his team to challenge and give their input, Gene makes sure that every person under his authority recognises that they are appreciated and integral to the success of the wider company. Aside from the way he approaches managing his team, Gene’s own position has been fortified thanks to the skills and insights he has picked up over the years. Learning from one’s own mistakes is undeniably the best way to grow, and doing so has been an integral part of the curve for Stratify’s CEO. This, combined with his philosophy of treating everyone as he would like to be treated, has resulted in many of Gene’s former employees expressing a willingness to work with him today, some even decades later. Customers, employees, and peers alike also frequently mention Gene’s ability to create and sell a vision, something that has continued to stand him in good stead across the numerous leadership positions he has filled. As Gene himself puts it: “I have been recognised as a visionary leader who consistently explores the possibilities of what could be, asks challenging questions, and successfully motivates and unites everyone around that vision.” Of course, when it comes to Stratify, it is not just Gene who delivers on the company’s high standards. Rather, every member of this team consistently goes above and beyond to provide the best client experience, something that can be attributed to the business’ internal culture – a supportive atmosphere where success is not just an individual thing, but the result of a collective effort. Thus, everyone feels equally empowered by triumphs and likewise compelled to do better when things don’t quite go to plan. And yet, the company’s culture also celebrates individuality, something Gene demonstrates through the high levels of engagement he nurtures across his staff. From whole staff meetings to one-on-one discussions, Gene gives everyone a chance to speak and feel heard, not only concerning the company, but their lives outside of work too. “I make it a point to connect with staff on a personal level”, explains Gene. Exploring this further, Gene tells us: “Typically, before we dive into business matters, I inquire about their family, recent trips, or any exciting plans they might have.” For this CEO, such an interest is not only crucial, but genuine. “My aim is to ensure that employees have a healthy work-life balance and feel genuinely cared for in terms of their wellbeing.” The results of such initiatives are that the team remain committed to seeing the business through the challenges it faces, including when it comes to one of the primary difficulties plaguing the aviation industry at present – aging infrastructure. Because many of the systems and structures used in the field were developed and implemented several years ago, they are starting to show signs of being outdated. However, given the industry, new technologies cannot be implemented unless they are guaranteed not to compromise on safety or security. This is where the team at Stratify truly shine, as they always keep one eye on the global aviation market and make strategic adjustments to ensure their aviation services and solutions align seamlessly with them. Avoiding the trap of relying too heavily on legacy products to truly embrace the future, this is a company with a flexible and dynamic working environment, as seen through its ongoing efforts concerning future air transportation. Stratify’s commitment to the future of this space is seen through the mergers and acquisitions it has invested in heavily over the past 12 months, a strategy that has proven to be equal parts advantageous and demanding. One acquisition was completed earlier this year, with many more currently in the pipeline. Although this undertaking has proven integral for growth, it does mean that Gene has to strike the balance between focusing on these endeavours and allotting time to existing customers, something he achieves with careful planning. On the back of this, Gene tells us that Stratify remains committed to this global growth strategy over the coming year, as these mergers and acquisitions highlight. He explains: “These strategic moves are aimed at enhancing our capabilities in the commercial air traffic management and advanced air mobility sectors of the aviation industry.” The company’s appeal to these sectors has been aided considerably by it being named as a Top Aviation Consulting Services Provider 2024 by the Aerospace & Defense Review. Concerning his own career, Gene remains committed to his own personal development, all while advancing the growth of Stratify. Then, when it comes to his legacy, this award-winning CEO tells us, “a true indicator of my success will be the number of leaders I can develop during this journey. A common pitfall for both small and large companies is the lack of strong leaders prepared to take the helm. My current objective is to cultivate as many capable leaders as possible who are ready to eventually lead the company.” Driving a vision for not only Stratify Aerospace, but also the future of the wider aerospace and technology industries, Gene Hayman is the embodiment of knowledge and integrity in this sphere. Recognising that the difference between a truly great CEO and a bad one is simply character, Gene goes the extra mile to do the right thing for everyone, making him more than worthy of being featured in this programme of best-in-class CEOs. Contact: Gene Hayman Company: Stratify Aerospace Web Address: https://www.stratifyaerospace.com/
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