by airwaysfreight | Jan 5, 2017 | Airways News
It is with heavy hearts that we report the loss of a man we have had the privilege to know and love for nearly three decades – a man that could make you cough up your socks laughing at his endless stream of jokes while standing in awe of his charisma and fearlessness. Frank Watson is a name and personality known and admired by thousands across the United States and the world. While his life-long occupation was transporting goods of every description for customers large and small, one never lost the sense that his true business was people. The Trade Show industry gave him a vehicle to move amongst people from every nationality, race and creed, which may be why he loved it so much. We never failed to observe his uncanny ability to transpose his southern soul and easy manner into a moment of humor or a genuine sense of well being for people – no matter their culture or class standing – when he walked into a room. We wish you smooth flights as you go on without us, but we will miss you Frank Watson III.
by airwaysfreight | Dec 19, 2016 | Airways News
This week before Christmas, we are spotlighting one of our unsung heroes, Josh Brumley. If you happen to be in procurement for a nuclear power plant located almost anywhere within the continental United States, Josh has probably assisted in pulling off some logistics miracles for you at some point. Keeping up with the demands as a part of the Airways Utilities Division headed up by Devin Scroggins is not for the faint of heart.
Josh is a relative beginner with Airways, having completed 3 years in September and heading into his 4th year with the company, but after only a year working in night operations, Josh was recruited by the Utilities Division – primarily because of his excellent work ethic and eagerness to learn.
Says Scroggins, “Josh has quickly become an integral part of the Utilities Division, and we are happy to have him as a part of our team.” High praise from the Director that manages some of the most highly expedited and demanding shipments handled by the company. The feeling is mutual too; Josh says one of his favorite things about his job includes the people he works with.
Logistics is nothing new to Josh. Prior to Airways, he was coaching elite baseball teams in Dallas, TX – a total of 5 to be exact – one 8 year-old team, two 12-13 and one 15-year-old team. In addition, there was a 16-18 year-old team – the showcase team – which along with the others – traveled all over the U.S. playing in Select Tournaments. Josh also provided private baseball lessons to youngsters while on the road. Having made baseball his life for a number of years, it wouldn’t be an understatement to say, Josh Brumley is “a total baseball guy” when he’s not doing his now favorite thing – hanging out with his wife Tori, and his new baby girl, Chandler.
Nowadays, when Josh isn’t busy “hitting one out of the park” for Airways on a shipment for a power plant, he aspires at some point to “be the old guy in the chair falling asleep to baseball.” Well earned Josh!
by airwaysfreight | Dec 2, 2016 | Airways News
Airways Freight Corporation, as an active member of the
International Exhibition Logistic Association (IELA), was proud to host the IELA 3rd quarter Board of Management Meeting in October. The current IELA organization is comprised of 155 company members representing 55
countries. The association provides a networking and educational platform for companies like Airways who are involved in the transportation, customs clearance and on-site material handling in the exhibition industry. Unlike other industry organizations, IELA also sets and measures standards of performance for its members through an annual peer review, and we have benefitted greatly from the process. The IELA Board of Management is elected by the IELA General Assembly and is charged with execution of the objectives and administration of the organization towards that end. Current Board members who participated in the meeting at Airways shown in the photo below include:
- Mariane Ewbank, Fulstandig Shows & Events, Brazil
- Ulrich Kasimir, Vice Chairman & Treasurer, Schenker Deutschland AG, Germany
- H.S. Bedi, Member, PS Bedi Group, India
- Feyzan Erel, Member, Gruptrans Co. Inc, Turkey
- Jim Kelty, Member, Airways Freight Corp., USA
- Achim Lotzwick, Member, Cretschmar Messecargo, Germany
- James Ng, Member, Transit Air Cargo, Singapore
- Christoph Rauch, Member, BTG Messe-Spedition GmbH, Germany
- Ravinder Sethi, Member, RE Rogers India Pvt.Ltd., India
Also included in the photo are Ms Elizabeth Niehaus of the IELA Secretariet office,
along with a portion of the hosting staff at Airways. Obviously this group
traveled a long way to get to here and we appreciated the great
opportunity to get to spend time with these industry leaders and show
them our well known, Airways Hospitality!
*You can see more about IELA and its leadership at
by airwaysfreight | Oct 13, 2016 | Airways News
One of the things people comment on most after visiting the Airways headquarters in Fayetteville is how they feel comfortable with the people they meet here and how nice everybody is. It’s a great thing to hear, but truth is, we rarely give it much thought. It’s just the way things are around here (most of the time). But when people at Airways think about downright nice and truly likable fellow workers, Andrew Brown’s name would most certainly be mentioned in the top 5.
At a young age, Andrew started with Airways (16 years ago to be somewhat exact), and like many, his initial job was on the night operations crew. With only one work reference under his belt, having worked five years in grocery retail, he remembers the days of scanning coupons and stocking dog food – a job he apparently didn’t find very interesting. So when the Airways opportunity came along, he took it. Having lived his entire life in Northwest Arkansas, the world of freight forwarding appealed to him, and soon Andrew showed an interest in the specialized market of trade shows. Today he leads the entire group of trade show operators as the division manager under the direction of Hal Poole (the VP of trade shows) who frequently travels. Andrew says, “I really enjoy the people I work with,” but it’s a mutual respect on behalf of those that work with him that makes Andrew an effective leader.
Airways asked Andrew to say a little about himself and his interests, and he came back with some standard answers we hear from a lot of college sports fans around here. “I like watching college football and spending time with the family.” But what about other interests?
Well when we asked Andrew to tell us something most people don’t know about him, he said “I’m sarcastic.” Uhhh…sorry Andrew, we already knew that one! But then he just nonchalantly throws out there that he’s a big Metal fan. Huh? Now take a look at that picture above and tell us this
looks like a heavy metal aficionado. Are you seeing it? Neither do we. But apparently it’s true because tops on Andrew’s bucket list is to attend the annual Wacken Open Air concert. Think 4-day scream fest for 85,000 metal heads out in the middle of nowhere Germany. Bands with names like Orange Goblin and Napalm Death will be there to regale their fans with ultimate loudness in 2017 – possibly with Andrew (The Crusher) Brown in attendance.
“Unfortunately” Andrew says, “I burned my *10-year trip on my family.”
There’s that sarcasm again Andrew.
*Airways has long sponsored an all expenses paid trip for employees and their families after they have reached 10 years on the job.
by airwaysfreight | Sep 14, 2016 | Airways News
In the relatively short time he has been with Airways (celebrating his third year on September third), Hollis Hatch has consistently shown the qualities of “can-do” that make people sit up and take notice. Not that he’s hard to pick out of a crowd with an imposing stature that leaves the majority of us looking up to say hello.
Ironically, says Hollis, despite his multi-XL size, he was regarded by his family as somewhat diminutive as compared to his identical twin brother, who is two inches taller than Hollis. This left Hollis with the unlikely nickname “Pee-Wee”, which was given to him affectionately by his mother because he was the so-called “runt of the litter.” Without a doubt though, his fellow workers consider Hollis a giant of a man in more ways than one.
Showing an immediate aptitude for operations and a team-player attitude put Hollis immediately in line for opportunity at Airways. Moving from night operations to a position as an Ocean Account Manager on the day shift gave Hollis a strong base and broadened his skill set. When the Night Operations Supervisor spot became available, Hollis was at the top of the list of candidates and was promoted to the position in May of this year. As Night Supervisor, Hollis is responsible for mentoring a large number of our most inexperienced operations staff – a job that can literally set the tone for the future of Airways. Fortunately, Hollis Hatch, in addition to being knowledgeable, is also a self proclaimed “people person.” Hollis says, “I really enjoy the people (at Airways). I love dealing with the Agents and the customers, and I happen to be working with an excellent crew!”
Perhaps his ability to connect with others was nurtured at an early age by growing up in a military family. Hollis’ father was a government contractor, which allowed he and his family to live and visit places all over the world. A little known, and interesting fact about Hollis is that he actually graduated High School while living in Cairo, Egypt, making him one of a very few Americans that can say they attended their high school graduation while standing in front of the Pyramids of Giza.
While Hollis lists his favorite things in the category of outdoor interests such as grilling, fishing, camping or just mowing the lawn, he still yearns for travel. One of the top spots on the Hollis Hatch bucket list is occupied by a desire to someday make a return visit to Europe with his wife.
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