Tag: 30 years

Categories
Executive Terminal (FBO) General

Meridian Celebrates Steve Chandoha’s 30 Year Anniversary

Steve Chandoha, President of Meridian Teterboro, celebrates his 30th Anniversary at the company
Steve Chandoha, President of Meridian Teterboro, celebrates his 30th Anniversary at the company.

On January 4, Steve Chandoha, President of Meridian Teterboro, celebrated 30 years as a member of the Meridian team. Steve started his career with Meridian in 1988 after earning his Master of Business Administration/Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also received his Bachelor’s degree from Embry Riddle.

Steve joined Meridian as Flight School Manager. As corporate aviation at Teterboro intensified, Steve moved to the FBO side of the business and served as Line Service Manager. He then moved up to General Manager, Vice President and became President of Meridian Teterboro in 2002.

Steve got the aviation bug early–around age 15. He loved flying and got his glider license and then his pilot license and various ratings while at Embry-Riddle. As his career progressed, his focus turned more to the business side. While no longer actively flying, Steve obviously loves aviation, and loves working at Meridian.

“Every day is different,” says Steve. “You start your day planning certain activities, then something comes up or something happens and the day totally changes.”

While each day is different, the one thing that always stays the same is the supportive attitude of Ken Forester, Owner and CEO. Steve says that his support and encouragement fosters a culture that contributes to the longevity of so many employees. “There is an amazing group of talented people that work here; many of them for well over 20 years. It is a true pleasure to work with them every day.”

An early photo of Steve (circa 1993) while at the front desk of the old Million Air Teterboro FBO
An early photo of Steve (circa 1993) while at the front desk of the old Million Air Teterboro FBO

Steve says it is hard to believe that it has already been 30 years since he joined Meridian. He still looks forward to coming to work every day and is excited about what the future holds for the company.

Congratulations Steve on 30 years with Meridian!

Categories
General Private Air Charter

Dennis O’Connell Celebrates 30 Year Milestone at Meridian

Dennis O'Connell (right), President of Meridian Air Charter, celebrates 30 years at Meridian. He joins the prestigious Meridian "30 Club" along with Ken Forester (left), Aida Libiran (2nd from left), and Betsy Wines.
Dennis O’Connell (right), President of Meridian Air Charter, celebrates 30 years at Meridian. He joins the prestigious Meridian “30 Club” along with Ken Forester (left), Aida Libiran (2nd from left), and Betsy Wines.

Meridian is proud to celebrate Dennis O’Connell’s 30th anniversary as a member of our team. Dennis, who is President of Meridian Air Charter, joined Meridian in 1986, when the company was still known as General Aviation Company. He had spent the two previous summers working for the company, and after graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, he returned as a full-time employee. Dennis joined the company as things were beginning to really grow. In 1983, a new charter company had been formed and then in 1984, a new hangar and terminal were built. The following year, the company began selling jet fuel, and in 1986, became part of the Million Air FBO franchise network. Dennis assumed the role of Manager of the FBO.
Dennis has been involved in almost every facet of what is today Meridian. He worked with the flight school, when it was active. He also flew some of the charter trips, and is type-rated in the Gulfstream II/III/IV and Cessna Citation. In 1990, he became Director of Maintenance for the charter company and in 2001, moved fulltime to the charter side of the company and served as Vice President, then President of Meridian Air Charter.
When asked about some of the significant changes during his tenure, Dennis commented that what really stuck him was how much the company had grown, both in terms of its size, the number of employees and the overall business areas of the company. “I always knew that we would grow,” he said, “but if you asked me to look ahead 30 years, I wouldn’t have believed that we would have grown this much.”
Over the years, the company has pursued a measured growth strategy, which Dennis says has been “very manageable” and has made Meridian a great place to work. He also is appreciative of the longevity of others in the organization. “There are several of us who have been here 25-30 years, which is somewhat unusual in the aviation industry.”
Dennis is excited about the future. Meridian’s expansion to the West Coast is the latest example of the company’s growth strategy. The new facility at Hayward will serve as West Coast base for Meridian Air Charter and Meridian Aircraft Management. Dennis says the physical presence is important as the company grows its managed fleet out there, which in turn will increase charter opportunities.
Of his 30 years at Meridian, he says, “I really enjoy the work, and have been fortunate to have experienced many facets here—flying, maintenance and management, to name just a few activities. It’s been fun. No two days are the same.”
Congratulations Dennis on your 30-year milestone with Meridian!