In fewer than six years at SafeTech-USA, Matthew DiGuardi has progressed from an apprentice technician to the highest position in the facility.
DiGuardi began servicing life rafts and has become an expert in the repair and overhaul of aircraft emergency equipment and knows what is required in the United States and Europe.
Today, as the facility manager of the SafeTech shop in Ridgeland, South Carolina, he oversees the facility’s finances, work intake, outgoing work, and profit and loss reports, as well as the overall well-being of the employees and the equipment. As needed, he also travels to other SafeTech locations.
Consistently, DiGuardi takes training courses and so far, has obtained his repairman certificate and his certificate for hydrostatic testing of cylinders. He also is a certified trainer and fills in for the vice president when needed.
“The thing I enjoy most about the industry is the opportunities that come from it and the connections you gain from putting in time in the industry,” he said.
As a facility manager, DiGuardi has implemented numerous programs including Strategic Thinking and employee of the month.
“Strategic Thinking is something I came up with for my employees at the shop,” he said. “It gets them involved with the success plan of growing this facility. Their ideas on how to make this facility keep succeeding. It gets the employees involved with facility more and gives them a sense of ownership over what they have control over.”
Another program DiGuardi implemented is 4DX, a structured program that monitors the work in progress as well as the goals and targets for each shop.
To succeed in aviation maintenance, he emphasizes the importance of paying attention to details because, he said, “It is an important skill for aircraft mechanics, it allows them to maintain high standards of safety when inspecting.”
