In some ways Johnny Tran is the epitome of the American Dream. According to Brad Caban, president, CAS - Components, and the person who nominated Tran, his family were refugees from Vietnam, first escaping to the Philippines and then on to the US. Tran's father started a seafood business and shrimping operation in Mobile, Alabama, which would become a thriving family business." Johnny, one of the first US born children in the Tran family, came up in the business and learned his work ethic and leadership style from his father who not only ran the seafood business but was the president of Mobile’s Vietnamese Community Group," noted Caban. "Johnny and his father would help other Vietnamese within the community with basic social services all while shrimping the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.
Caban says that Tran's big brother Buton decided he wanted to do more than be a shrimper and signed up to attend the Costal Community College’s A&P program. After graduating, he began a successful career in aviation and is presently at the Airbus FAL in Mobile. Buton was instrumental in getting Tran to realize there is more out there and, finally, in 2013, Johnny signed up at Coastal Community College. "After one year he was selected for the CAS Intern Program in 2014, and in 2015, he received his A&P and became a technician at CAS," Caban said.
After joining CAS it was apparent that Johnny was willing to go the extra mile. He quickly made a difference in the component shop and was promoted to assistant shop supervisor after only a short while. Additionally, he volunteered for CAS’s GoTeam, assisting with a B767 teardown and an A310 structural repair out in the field. Tran continued to grow and become more of a leader in the shop and was eventually promoted to shop supervisor. "One of the things that Johnny really enjoys is making a difference with the new technicians," said Caban. "Training is at the core of what Johnny does within the shop, ensuring that all his technicians are familiar with not only the test equipment, but with the various product lines that are repaired. One of the things that Johnny has been instrumental in at CAS is the development of new capabilities and the manufacturing of new test equipment. Most notably during his tenure, Johnny has brought on new Air Cycle Machine part numbers as well as Center Drive Unit Actuation testing. The development and manufacturing of these new test stands are a culmination of Johnny’s talents as a leader, technician, problem solver, welder and machinist.
Tran says he tries to talk to the kids of his hometown that there is a better life in aviation. "I let them know they don’t have to be stuck at their current job for life," he explained. "There’s health care and retirement benefits to be had if you put forth the effort. I try and get the kids into the industry and spark the interest in the field while they’re young."
As for future goals, Tran says that ever since he started in aviation, he has always wanted to retire in aviation as a team manager. "I feel in a role like this I can really make a difference in not only the young employees of CAS, but also the kids in my community who will eventually grow up to be AMT’s in our shop, or somewhere in the aviation world," he note
