Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations |
Management Update |
DVA043
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP
Joined on June 10 2001
Event Half Century Club
Online Double Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
Everett 1500 Club
Bi-Millennium Club
Four Million Mile Club
"Col. Panic" Marietta, GA
2,241 legs, 8,967.3 hours
240 legs,
553.9 hours online 1,899 legs,
7,760.4 hours ACARS 75 legs,
196.3 hours event 2,277 legs, 9,102.2 hours total 91 legs dispatched, 66.4
hours
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 14:34 ET by Luke Kolin
|
There are going to be a few significant changes happenning at DVA over the next few weeks and months.
First off, effective immediately, Terry Eshenour will be receiving a promotion to the role of Executive Vice-President. Terry has been a dedicated volunteer since joining the management staff and has continued the excellent tradition of his predecessors Frank Pezzo and Mark McCauley of ensuring that new applicants always had a friendly and dutiful first contact with someone here at DVA. A few weeks ago, Terry and I spoke regarding our goals and plans for the future, and he indicated that some aspects of the HR role were not what he had in mind, long-term. I agreed with him, and we have been looking for his successor in this role. Until a new VP of HR is appointed, Terry will continue to fill this position.
Second, I think we can all agree that David Schaum has been doing a fantastic job with our events. I was amazed when we got 20 folks out for the Boeing Field event, and week after week we match or exceed those numbers. This is due both to our great pilots, but also to the tireless energy that David Schaum has brought to the role. Therefore, we are going to be promoting David to the new position of Vice-President of Events, with responsibility for online events and liason with VATSIM, IVAO and other virtual airlines. Since David is going away to Europe for a few weeks, this appointment will be effective upon his return around April 20th.
You may be interesting in noting that probably the most significant criteria I used for an appointment to the position of Vice-President has been the ability to succeed me. To be the titular primus inter pares of a great group of volunteers like yourselves requires a unique blend of patience, enthusiasm and maturity. Over the next few weeks, this succession plan will be put into place.
I joined Delta Virtual Airlines at the beginning of June 2001, and gave myself three years. I expect to exceed that time frame (my last volunteer organization didn't finally manage to get rid of me until 11 years had passed). However, the past few weeks have clearly demonstrated that I do not have the time or energy to dedicate to you and this organization. My inbox has completely overflowed and DVA needs someone with the dedication that I can no longer provide. I had always taken over the CEO role reluctantly, and I believe that my goal of providing DVA with a management and volunteer structure that can continue without me have been met.
Over the past year, as many of you are aware, I've had a few personal and professional challenges. My daughter is finally coming home from the hospital next week, and I have two good leads on the employment front that will keep me busy. Now is the time to start working on reducing my workload to a manageable level.
Therefore, on Sunday June 13th I will be resigning as your President and resuming my earlier role of Vice-President, Technology. On that same day, Terry will be officially stepping into my shoes and taking over as the fourth CEO of our great virtual airline. Over the next two months, Terry in his new role will be for all intents and purposes acting as our CEO with me stepping back more and more just into a technical role handling our web site, fleet and ACARS software. I will also be involved with the AFV project. I'm not going away, just stepping back a bit.
The past three years have been absolutely fantastic. What was a "pass the time" project turned into the largest volunteer organization I have ever been fortunate enough to participate with, and has turned into the 2nd or 3rd largest virtual airline on the Internet. At each step in our growth, we've turned to very different CEOs to take us to the next level, and today is no different. DVA needs something which I cannot provide, but Terry can - and working with Mark McCauley, David and myself I'm confident he'll make DVA the universally regarded #1 virtual airline by the time he writes one of these "farewell addresses".
Again - thank YOU. All of you have helped make DVA one of the best virtual airlines, and I am confident that you will continue to do so in the future. Virtual airlines as large as ours only survive based on the dedication of a complete staff and pilot body, and our success is a testament to what all of you do. The only credit I can claim is the good fortune to have stumbled upon you.
As always, it has been and will continue to be a priviledge to fly with you. Thank you.
Luke
Luke KolinSenior Captain, MD-11
|
|
DVA822
Senior Captain, B777-200
Joined on September 05 2002
Quincentenary Club
Million Mile Club
"I love the smell of jet fuel" Northeastern United States
589 legs, 2,254.6 hours
47 legs,
112.9 hours online 97 legs,
400.7 hours ACARS 16 legs,
39.2 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 14:52 ET by Trevor Fenimore
|
Luke,
I, and I am sure the other pilots here at DVA are very sad to see you step down, because you have done so much for this airline that it can not even be put into words, from the fleet installers, to making sure that everyone is taken care of very well, and much much more! At the same time, I am very happy that you picked Terry, to fill your position, when you step down. Terry brings all of the qualities of a leader to this VA, and I am confident that he will do a great job.
|
DVA1044
Senior Captain, B767-300
Joined on January 12 2003
Century Club
"Fly Delta Jets" Roswell, NM USA
127 legs, 388.8 hours
62 legs,
199.3 hours online 2 legs,
5.2 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 15:37 ET by Lloyd Arms
|
I second everything Trevor said. I just want to add it has been a tremendous pleasure for me to "Come up through the ranks" while you headed DVA. I think Terry will also succeed you well and I cannot think of a more qualified person.
|
DVA544
Senior Captain, B727-200
Joined on October 24 2001
Online Century Club
Triple Century Club
Southeastern United States
329 legs, 661.4 hours
186 legs,
368.2 hours online 47 legs,
90.0 hours ACARS 7 legs,
22.1 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 15:39 ET by Joe DeGregorio
|
I really think Luke got tired of me screaming LUKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!......LOL..so now hes passed the buck to Terryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!.........LOL.
This transition will go smoothly and I look forward to another chapter in the History of DVA.
|
DVA953
Senior Captain, B737-800
E-MAIL
Joined on November 17 2002
50 State Club
Double Century Club
Online Double Century Club
"V1 means V1..." West Lafayette, IN USA
214 legs, 376.8 hours
211 legs,
373.0 hours online 117 legs,
223.6 hours ACARS
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 16:55 ET by James Brickell
|
Luke, the privilege has been, and always will be, flying with you. Godspeed John Gl-erm, Luke Kolin.
|
DVA320
Senior Captain, B777-200
E-MAIL
Joined on September 22 2001
Online Double Century Club
Triple Century Club
Midwestern United States
365 legs, 1,242.5 hours
353 legs,
1,216.6 hours online 2 legs,
4.6 hours ACARS
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 20:52 ET by Awais Ahsan
|
I LOVE YOU MAN!
Chill out and enjoy this picture http://www.airliners.net/open.file/550465/L/
Heheh new 777 picture on airliners.net take care....
|
DVA320
Senior Captain, B777-200
E-MAIL
Joined on September 22 2001
Online Double Century Club
Triple Century Club
Midwestern United States
365 legs, 1,242.5 hours
353 legs,
1,216.6 hours online 2 legs,
4.6 hours ACARS
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 20:58 ET by Awais Ahsan
|
Also don't forget about me I was just like everyother pilot who joined in. It was great! I didn't have a clue i got on the wrong course with all the atc going on till like 100nm after ATC goes like "you allright" lol!!!!! I'm surprised I joined not to long after you did I thought you have been here like for 10yrs or atleast feels like it hehehe. (Nooo you are not old) hehehe.
PS: I like you old sig better.
|
DVA433
Senior Captain, B757-200
Joined on March 31 2002
Midwestern United States
65 legs, 83.6 hours
|
Posted onPost created on
April 09 2004 21:05 ET by Conrad Roberts
|
Awww Luke! It's been almost a year since I stepped down.. Wow what a long time it feels like, good luck with everything, I know for a fact that you put in alot of effort into this entire thing, and I know that you picked the best possible person to walk in your shoes for the time being... Hope things work out with your personal life, I'll check this site every now and then!
Thanks,
|
DVA1427
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP
Joined on December 14 2003
Online Double Century Club
50 State Club
Tri-Jet Triumph
Globetrotter
Moose Club
US Capital Club
Everett 250 Club
Quincentenary Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
"Livin' in the Dog Pound!" Kannapolis, NC
558 legs, 1,984.3 hours
250 legs,
611.8 hours online 384 legs,
1,530.5 hours ACARS 38 legs,
82.7 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
April 10 2004 04:38 ET by Lewis Gregory
|
Luke:
I'm just a newbie here, compared to most. But I'll say this--I had sworn that I was never going to join a "serious" VA after reading the websites of some of the others out there and seeing all the hoops that they made their members jump through. Then I came here, and read through the policies, and said, hmm, this is someplace *different*. Someplace that values learning over sheer hours behind the screen boring holes in the sky, someplace that wants their pilots to get better, someplace where the requirements and promotions actually make sense, someplace that encourages online flying without being overly fanatic about it. So I took the plunge, and haven't looked back since.
This place really is special. Thanks to you and the management staff, present and past, for making it so.
Lewis GregorySenior Captain, MD-11
|
|
DVA544
Senior Captain, B727-200
Joined on October 24 2001
Online Century Club
Triple Century Club
Southeastern United States
329 legs, 661.4 hours
186 legs,
368.2 hours online 47 legs,
90.0 hours ACARS 7 legs,
22.1 hours event
|
Posted onPost created on
April 10 2004 06:53 ET by Joe DeGregorio
|
I remember the merger,and wondered how things would pan out.....I then suffered a fire,and was offline for a long time...when I came back,i was amazed at the changes.
One thing most of you dont realize is what takes place behind the scenes.Luke,and the Senior Staff have put together a core group of individuals that has taken this VA to a level that is envied by the other VA's.
True,there are bigger VA's,only 2,but I feel that Delta VA shares the same "Esprit de corps" with its real world counterpart as the employees of the real Delta are fiercely Loyal to their airline,the same as the pilots and staff are here to DVA.
It takes alot to make something like this grow,be successful,and continue to operate with a high employee moral.
The Senior Staff have accomplished that,and with this Management change,it will continue to thrive and become the envy of the VA World.
Luke will still be here,just in a different position,but what he is undertaking in his new position,is also something special.And it also gives him more time to devote to some upcoming projects,that will benifit everybody here,and once again take us to a higher level within the VA community.And make us the example that others will strive to be like.But that wont happen,as there can and will be only ONE Delta Virtual Airlines.
my second .02cents...;-p
Joe
|