Jonathan Frederickson’s passion for aviation started after an introductory flight at an airport in Northeast Wisconsin, during a technical education class in high-school. “Once your feet leave the ground, they never really return,” he says. “ I also grew up 20 miles from Oshkosh, WI, and my family frequented the EAA Museum and EAA AirVenture.”
After Frederickson’s first year of college at UW-Platteville as a mechanical engineering student, he decided to pursue aviation as a career and transferred to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. While at Embry-Riddle, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and Army ROTC. Upon graduation, Frederickson commissioned into the Army as a transportation officer (non-aviation). Desperate to get back to aviation, he looked for a way to get back and decided to pursue aircraft maintenance professionally, after his initial commitment with the Army.
Once in the field, Frederickson found three influential mentors. Bob Peterson, Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) base maintenance manager, Endeavor Air, hired him as a technician from A&P school and gave him the opportunity to become a maintenance supervisor after only working seven months as a technician. Bill Donohue, vice president, technical operations, Endeavor Air, recruited him from the CWA Maintenance Station to pursue a career at corporate headquarters. He has on numerous occasions provided career advice and counsel and fostered Frederickson's career since the transition to corporate. Kevin Kyro, at the time, director, quality and training for Endeavor Air, now at Southwest, has heavily influenced Frederickson’s career and development as an aviation maintenance professional. “Kyro has guided me through numerous leadership roles within the Technical Operations Quality organization and has provided advice both professionally and personally in the pursuit of my aviation career,” notes Frederickson.
Frederickson is currently enrolled in the MBA program for Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he is expected to graduate November 2020.
When it comes to introducing others to the field, Frederickson says: “I take advantage of any situation to speak with anyone interested in pursuing aviation, whether professionally, or as a hobby. I am often wearing an Embry-Riddle or Endeavor Air shirt or hat and am periodically stopped to speak with potential or current students about my experience at Embry-Riddle or my career in the aviation industry.”
This next gen winner attens numerous local airshows with his family to foster a passion for aviation in his children and to support the grassroots efforts local airshows play in promoting aviation. While at EAA AirVenture, Frederickson supports Warbirds of America, assisting with security or aircraft movement during the show.
“My career goals are to continue to pursue positions of increased leadership responsibilities to become a senior leader in an organization within the aviation industry,” he says.
