UAH – News

[ad_1]

(L – R), Ginny Wagner, Chief of Staff, Avion Solutions; David French, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Avion Solutions; Brian Wylie, Senior Program Manager, Avion Solutions; Kevin Rotenberger, Chief Engineer, Avion Solutions; Ken Hovanes, Director of Information Technology, Avion Solutions; Evan Wagner, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Avion Solutions; Dr. Chuck Karr, UAH Interim President; Dr. Shankar Mahalingam, Dean UAH College of Engineering; Dr. Rainer Steinwandt, Dean UAH College of Science; Dr. Helen Lien, UAH Major Gifts Officer; Mallie Hale, UAH Vice President for University Advancement; Jennifer Memolo, UAH Development Writer; Sidney Martin, UAH Science Student Ambassador; Avonlea Benefield, UAH Science Student Ambassador

Michael Mercier | UAH

Gary Donald, founder and former President of Avion Solutions, Inc., is no stranger to hard work, and he knows how a high-quality education opens doors. Donald grew up in Iowa, his father was a janitor, and as a young man, he worked hard to pay his way into college at Iowa State University. As a result, Donald said he has a weak spot for state schools, which is one of the reasons he is proud of the Gary Donald Endowed Scholarship for engineering and science students at The University of Alabama at Huntsville ( UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System.

The scholarship was created to honor Donald’s retirement and was made possible by a $ 250,000 gift from Avion. Gary’s son and current Avion President Chad Donald said this is the best way to honor Gary’s belief in the value of education and giving to the community.

“He doesn’t appreciate a gold watch in retirement,” Chad Donald said of the scholarship establishment. “In this way, we can continue to help people like he used to do and give someone a chance to pursue their passion.”

Dr. also acknowledges. Charles Karr, the new Interim President of UAH, this gift as an extension of Gary Donald’s legacy: “We are very grateful for Avion’s generous gift in honor of Gary Donald’s retirement. Mr. Donald built a great career with hard work and strong morals. We hope that our great university will yield many, many more graduates who ride on solid values ​​to success.

Gary Donald has worn many hats in his career. After graduating college, he served in the Army, worked as a civil servant, succeeded in the private sector, and finally formed Avion with two partners. The company, which is headquartered in Huntsville but has satellite offices throughout the US, focuses on engineering, programming and lifecycle logistics and employs a variety of professionals in STEM fields.

“Ultimately, we want to make sure we keep our military strong and safe,” said Chad Donald, who highlighted the company’s concentration on Army aviation. One thing Gary Donald said he has learned in his various jobs is the importance of “doing a job well, regardless of that job.” That applies even if the job is not easy or fun. “You can look for better opportunities, or you can work to improve the situation. Sometimes there’s an open door, and sometimes you make the door.”

(LR) Gary and Chad Donald, former and current Presidents/CEOs, respectively, Avion Solutions

Courtesy of Avion Solutions

In 2020, Avion announced that it was a 100% employee-owned company with its sale to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). According to Gary and Chad Donald, it only makes sense to retain and reward their employees. “Since we became an ESOP company in 2007, our goal has always been to be a 100% employee-owned ESOP,” said Chad Donald. “I am proud of our employee owners who are investing themselves in the success of our company by continuing to provide exceptional service to the communities we serve.”

Gary Donald also attributed Avion’s success to their community service. “Your reputation is the main thing you’re responsible for,” he said, and that reputation is well earned by Avion’s philanthropic work. The founder implemented a strong message of giving as part of Avion’s business model. The Corporate Giving Board, established in 2019, oversees corporate philanthropic donations to non-profit organizations that are important to Avion employee owners. These include organizations such as Bearded Warriors, a non-profit suicide prevention for veterans, Horsepower Therapy, a non-profit that aims to help veterans participate in automotive-related activities, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Junior League of Huntsville.

Since its inception, the Corporate Giving Board has donated more than $ 135,000 to worthy causes. Avion also provides through Avion Takes Action, which is an employee-led charitable fund founded in 2021. Its goal is to support non-profit organizations in local communities of employee owners, and it will provide three or more $ 5,000 grants per quarter. Recipients from the inaugural awards in October 2021 include 305 8th Street, Kids to Love – Davidson Farms and National Children’s Advocacy Center.

The company also hosted volunteering events and work days in service before the pandemic, which they hope will continue into the coming year. These efforts are all part of Avion’s mission to “provide ideas and versatile solutions for the communities we serve.”

The focus on service, says Chad Donald, comes from his father’s spirit of giving and the desire to share wealth. “We are lucky enough to have success in our community. We live in Huntsville and we want this to be the best we can do, “he said. He also noted that Avion is working to extend this support to their employees in hopes of creating an optimistic, enjoyable workplace.

“We’re working hard to bring about change in employees in power!” Chad Donald effused. “When someone does their job with efficiency, we can focus on their career growth and business growth. When employees have financial security, they can apply themselves. How much more can that do? a person when a person feels secure and content? ” That ideology is evidenced by Avion’s 97% employee retention rate and its six wins in the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce Best Places to Work® Large Employer category.Both Gary and Chad Donald emphasize that employee satisfaction and finding purpose in one’s job are more important than just a salary, and their values ​​of honesty, integrity and service are more than words. ”Monetary rewards are only part of the equation “Believing in what you’re doing is a big piece, too.” Explanation by Chad Donald. “You still need to look at yourself in the mirror every day and be excited for the day to come.”

These basic amounts connect in UAH, say Gary and Chad Donald, so they chose to give in UAH. “UAH is a part of our community, and UAH has helped us grow.” It is also important, they say, that UAH produces high-quality students and graduates. “We had intern students for us in the past and we don’t want to see them continue. We want to keep them!” said Chad Donald.

Gary Donald added that Avion employs more than 20 UAH alumni, some of whom are on the executive team. “They are highly motivated, effective professionals who do great things,” Chad Donald reports. He emphasized his father’s strong feelings about a good education, saying, “We asked ourselves, how can we honor someone who has given so much and do something he can be proud of? What a great gift to give students endless opportunities with this scholarship! Hopefully one day I can meet a Gary Donald Scholar and hear about their experiences. “

Gary Donald retired as President from Avion in 2014 but continued to serve as Chairman of the Board until 2020. However, his retirement does not mean he has stopped finding ways to contribute and give back to his community. She is an active Rotarian, where she builds ramps for people with disabilities and packs lunches for hungry children to eat on the weekends.

That’s just who he is, says Chad Donald: someone who wants to give and help those in need. “If you want a strong community, you have to participate in it and give it back.”

Dr. associates. Karr echoes this ethos at UAH: “Avion is a forward-thinking company with loyal and supportive employees. This endowed scholar will give many outstanding UAH students the opportunity to obtain the high-quality education necessary to realize their dreams. We are so grateful and honored to receive this gift. ”

[ad_2]