Page 4 - Alpha Nus - Summer 2014

months and I was able to just make it home in and he said my fying job was gone, but Jenkins (Continued from Page 1) time for the birth of our son, John. So when the training department may need my help. I try to have empathy for expectant fathers I called the training manager who hired me to today, I am immediately cut off by Nan who a six month contract. Again I was blessed to says I have no clue….and she’s right. move from contract employee to Lockheed Martin Engineer to Training Manager. I was After your active duty ended, why did you not fying for Lockheed Martin, but there make the transition to Lockheed Martin? was professional satisfaction in delivering After 11 years on active duty I was based at training systems to C-130J customers. Delta Naval Air Station Atlanta (collocated with called twice during this period of 11 years and Dobbins AFB in Marietta) in VAW-77, as an after prayerful consideration of my family active duty pilot in a reserve squadron. At that and life purpose I determined my place was ΘΧ time the Navy was cutting back on active duty at Lockheed Martin. July 2013 Delta gave offcers and the airlines were starting to hire me my last opportunity to return. With John Jeff in front of his namesake E-2C Hawkeye aboard USS again. After much prayer about my future and due to graduate from college, Lockheed Saratoga during Desert Shield. discussion with Nan about time away from Martin circumstances changing, and a desire possibility of becoming a Naval aviator. home, I decided to resign from active duty to serve in community outreach; the answer I flled out the application and four months and pursue an airline career as I continued to was different this time and I told Delta yes! later I was headed to Pensacola to Aviation fy with the reserve squadron. A month before What advice can you offer our alumni Offcer Candidate School. It helped that I was scheduled to depart the Navy, I did not President Reagan was building up to a 600 have an airline job yet, so I decided to attend a and young actives about patience, and ship Navy at the time. Georgia Tech alumni career fair. never giving up? I had a very brief discussion with the Lockheed On patience…..use faith and family to persevere What are a few of your proudest memories? Martin rep and did not expect anything from when life obstacles happen. Occasionally The day I was married. The birth of my son it. Two weeks before I was to separate from factors beyond our control require us to reassess John; his earning Eagle Scout, and graduating the Navy, I received a phone call from a our professional and life purpose goals. With from high school and college. Participating subcontractor for Lockheed Martin offering me each obstacle or fork in the road, take the time in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Earning my a job as a Flight Test Engineer on the C-130J to assess and make an informed decision. Wings. 757/767 Type Rating at Delta. program….no interview…asking me when I On never giving up…occasionally we are tested could start. I couldn’t believe it….I thought mentally or physically to our limits to reach How did you meet your wife, and why is one thing…God is good! Then, three months our goals. Lean on God for strength, mentors Desert Storm signifcant? after I started I was asked to begin fying test for wisdom and family for support. Look for I met Nan, a UGA Tri-Delt, at Rock Eagle 4-H fights in the copilot seat, then received my opportunities to recharge your batteries. Prayer, Camp where we were camp counselors during type rating and instructor qualifcation in the sleep, exercise and vacation are very important the summer. To her credit she continued to aircraft. I was so busy I lost sight of the airline tools for maintaining sanity. date me even after I decided to join the Navy. job until Delta called me for an We were married March 1987 and moved interview 3 years later. 3 times in the frst year as I fnished fight How did your relationship with training. I reported to VAW-125 (a sea going Delta land you in the pilot’s squadron) in Norfolk, VA at the end of 1989. seat today? Our air wing was based on the USS Saratoga based in Mayport, FL near Jacksonville. My I was hired by Delta September frst cruise was scheduled for Aug 9, 1990. As 2000. After 9/11, Delta announced it turned out Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait they would begin to furlough on Aug 2. On the night before we left, I talked pilots in seniority order. I was with Nan from a phone booth on the pier furloughed April 2002 after only (pre-cell phone days), who told me she was 18 months at Delta. I called my pregnant. During the midst of Desert Shield/ old manager at Lockheed Martin Storm our cruise was extended from 6 to 8 to see if my job was still available, Jeff with Delta, at work in a Boeing 757. recall the last time we went to Biloxi and I think Chapter (Continued from Page 2) it will be a really unique location! Our doors are always open, so feel free to event. Theta Chi’s recent partnership with the visit anytime. I would like to wish everyone a USO provides us with a great opportunity to warm summer and look forward to seeing you increase national recognition for our service and all around the house! will help us build a widely known event for all Fraternally, of campus to enjoy. As we close out the semester we have a couple of special events approaching including our annual Formal hosted in Biloxi, Mississippi and the Destination Unknown date The 2014 men of Alpha Nu with sweetheart Alison Burton. Alison John Verrone night for which the brothers are excited. I cannot is a 3rd year Industrial Engineer student and also serves on the President, Alpha Nu Chapter Exec Board for Phi Mu. Alumni communication services provided by Te Laurus Group | www.thelaurusgroup.net | 770-903-3987 | @thelaurusgroup