The Portraits of Changemakers series focuses on visionary individuals who work at Aeromag and who, every day, demonstrate a willingness to make a difference in the world. Among them, James Andersen, Operations Manager at our Denver station (DEN), in Colorado (US).
James has been part of the Aeromag family for nine (9) years. Among his responsibilities, he is in charge of ensuring the smooth running of operations and making sure the team and equipment are prepared to face the unexpected challenges Mother Nature might throw at them.
Being Operations Manager at one of the busiest airports in the US is no small feat. It’s a role that comes with great responsibility and, of course, many challenges. The hardest part is keeping the customer and employees happy. Demand is very high due to the airport’s traffic, and so are the standards to be met. Furthermore, the DEN station is not immune to labour shortages, which increases the team’s workload.
Safety Takes No Vacation
Safety is essential when it comes to air travel. With so much traffic, we must ensure that deicing operations are carried out safely. It all starts with training. “During the 2023-24 season, we trained 269 employees, but it doesn’t stop there. The key to success lies in ongoing training and progress monitoring through our Safety Lead and regular audits.” Training begins in July and doesn’t stop until the last day of the season.
Unpredictable Weather
Due to the mountain patterns, the weather can be very unpredictable in Denver. The city is said to have 300 sunny days a year, but it also has its share of storms. Last February 10, the DEN team treated 421 aircraft! The daily record is 462 aircraft, for reference. That’s why the day-to-day of Operations Supervisors and Managers is to ensure that the team is prepared and that the trucks are fully loaded, ready to face the winter conditions.
James might use his determination and passion to reach new heights with his DEN team, but he isn’t the only changemaker at Aeromag. Discover the other fascinating portraits of the key players in our big family.
