“Everyone recognizes pilots, flight attendants and airport agents, but most people have no idea how many critical roles exist behind the scenes in our Operations Centers,” said Dennis Gerber, Director, Dispatch. “And while most students are familiar with passenger airlines like Delta or United, few know about cargo carriers like Atlas. That’s why it’s so important for us to introduce who we are and the many support positions that make our operation possible.”
A highlight of the visit was hearing from Summer Communications Intern Mia Kraemer, who offered a relatable perspective for the students.
“It was a great experience to be able to talk to these students, who are starting to make their way into aviation careers,” said Mia. “I’m only a couple years ahead of them and also new to aviation, so it was exciting to share my journey, answer their questions and get them interested in learning more about possible aviation careers.”
The visit also featured a panel of Atlas team members who shared their career journeys and answered questions from the students. Panelists – in addition to Dennis and Mia – included:
- Brian Dodd, Manager, Dispatch
- Travis Hall, Director, Technical Operations
- Karen Henriques, Senior Manager, Flight Operations Administration
- Chris Jarvis, Talent Acquisition Specialist
- Justin Wargo, Regional Chief Pilot
“I was genuinely impressed with the size of the group who signed up for this voluntary event during their summer vacation,” added Dennis. “The group was very engaged during the panel and the tour and had some great questions.”
The visit left a strong impression on the students and their educators.
“As a student wanting to be a pilot, I am very grateful to have been able to visit Atlas Air’s facility in Erlanger,” said Ryan Faessler. “My group was welcomed with open arms and was able to speak with leaders of all different aspects of Atlas’s operation. From maintenance and dispatch, to operations, I was able to get a better idea of how an airline operates. Any questions I had were swiftly answered, which further helped my understanding of the aviation industry. This opportunity to see the behind the scenes of aviation was truly unforgettable and has made me that much more excited and confident to start my journey into the aviation world, maybe even one day with the callsign Giant.”
“The tour of Atlas Air gave the Loveland High School students a rare insider’s look at global aviation and logistics,” said Drews Mitchell, Program Administrator at Loveland Schools. “We were able to gain insights into the vast opportunities available in this in-demand industry and learn about the many different roles that contribute to operational success. I can’t speak highly enough of the time that was shared with us by the panel of experts from Atlas Air!”
Beyond education, the visit also helped build brand recognition for Atlas in the local community and strengthen our long-term talent pipeline.
“We can’t expect schools to do this alone,” added Leisa Spears Snyder, Director, Workforce Development. “As an employer, it’s our responsibility to open the doors and show students what’s possible.”
Atlas looks forward to continuing these partnerships and inspiring future aviators, engineers and operations leaders—one visit at a time.
Students listen to presentations from Atlas Air employees.