Tralee. M. Thorn
Age: 34
Airside Property Manager
Port of Portland
- Alma Mater: Southern Illinois University
- Fun fact about yourself: I have been to over 22 different countries.
- Favorite book: Spinster
- Favorite TV show: None
- Favorite movie: Elf
- Favorite hobby(s): Triathlons, backpacking, swimming, playing with my kids and rock climbing.
Tralee Thorn is a firm believer in the opportunities offered by aviation.
“Aviation is a very small community, which is a plus and a minus. But in my case, it’s definitely been a plus,” she said.
In a previous aviation job, Thorn had an intern that followed her for a day. “She thought I had a cool job. I got laid off from that job,” she said. “Five years later, I interviewed for the Portland job and that intern was on the selection committee. I got the job for many reasons, but you never know who you will run into or who you will rely on. So many people are part of your history and you are part of theirs.”
Thorn enjoys the fact that every day is different in aviation. “There’s such a variety of things I work on. I come in excited to see what problems I’m going to tackle each day,” she said. “I enjoy the variety of the work.”
Her love affair with aviation began at age 12. “As cliché as it sounds, I love everything about it -- the planes, the airport, the business aspects and operations,” said Thorn.
Thorn has been lucky enough to work at different jobs, from ramper to pilot to working on business and development. “I’ve loved every job I’ve had in aviation. It’s such a diverse industry and there are so many opportunities in the different parts of aviation.”
She shares her passion for the industries in many ways. She’s responsible for creation of the first local chapter of Women in Aviation, serving as chapter president for the first two years and being a role model for girls who also want to know about the industry. She developed a now-recognized standard for evaluating safety at private-use airports, working closely with land authorities and communities. And she coordinated Oregon’s Airport Volunteer Program.
If that wasn’t enough, Thorn is the single mom of two young girls who volunteers for their swim teams. She also trains for triathlons.
“I train during the hours when I’m not at work or with my children. I like it because it requires dedication, focus and mental toughness, which also happen to be key components in my job,” said Thorn. “You have to work hard and push through every day, which I do in my work and personal life.”
