March 2012 • Vol. 17, No. 3
3 Taking Flight By Dot Frank
From light instructions to fueling services, Bismarck Aero Center is a niche business that has been catering to the aviation community for more than 22 years. “Bismarck Aero Center was founded
by my dad, Bob Simmers in 1990. At the time, my dad specialized in con- tract pilot services and light instruc- tion,” said CEO Jon Simmers. After a decade of operation, Bob brought on a partner, Mike Aarestad, and expanded services to include aircraft mainte- nance. Today, Bismarck Aero Center provides light instruction, aircraft maintenance, avionics services, full service fueling operations (FBO), han- gar, contract pilot services, and charter services with the Aberdeen Flying Service.
All of those services require a
diverse and dedicated staff . As CEO, Jon is responsible for managing a workforce of 40. “My role is a balance between helping our leadership staff remove barriers that prohibit smooth operations and setting the strategic vision of the company,” he said. Looking out for the best interests of the company and staff also means keeping close tabs on the competition. Customer service is the key to diff er- entiating Bismarck Aero Center from similar businesses. According to Jon, achieving outstanding customer ser- vice starts with smart hiring practices. “We hire people who want to be at the airport to help out their fellow avia- tors,” he said. Striving for excellent service and
achieving it are two diff erent things. Jon shared evidence of the company’s success when it comes to meeting and exceeding expectations. A customer testimonial from 2011 reads, “What impressed me the most was that every employee I encountered was friendly and seemed genuinely happy to be there.” Penny pinching has impacted many industries since the economic upset in 2008; the travel and tourism industry was hit particularly hard as consum- ers reevaluated their expenditures and sought ways to save. Bismarck Aero was not immune to the impacts of a struggling economy.
“The timing of the downturn was
tough for our organization,” Jon shared. “We entered in to a new business segment in the middle of 2008 just months before the downturn exploded. The success of this new business seg- ment relied heavily on domestic trafic outside the state of North Dakota. As a result of the downturn, many assump-
tions that were made in our business model were crushed. Through it all, we have been able to maintain our com- mitment to service and details. The activity in the western half of the state has allowed us to persevere through this.”
With nearly a quarter-of-a-century
experience, Bismarck Aero Center has seen some dramatic changes in the aviation industry. The fanfare once as- sociated with air travel has diminished. Big send off s and special occasion attire are absent; and comfort wear trumps the tailored suits and dresses that early travelers wore. The only thing tight now is security. Jon says that the biggest changes are
technology driven. “Aviation is very ex- citing right now as we are seeing new navigation technology that will have a signiicant impact on aircraft safety and awareness,” he said. Jon’s dad would never imagine back in 1990 that his company could provide in-light wireless Internet connections. Despite the exciting advances that
the aviation industry has experienced over the years, Jon says that nega- tive press continues to plaque it. “Our industry needs to be out promoting the positives that come from aviation. Aviation is a safe and eficient means of travel.”
He shared that business aviation contributes $150 billion annually to the U.S. economy and provides more than 1.2 million employment opportu- nities. “The bottom line is that aviation works for North Dakotans. General aviation creates careers, expanding our business opportunities and improves our quality of life. North Dakota would be isolated without it,” Jon said. Jon is an advocate for the industry and is optimistic about the future of his business. “We have a lot of solid people in place and we are working at devel- oping and growing our successors,” he said. Jon shared that there are early signs that the industry is on the road to recovery, and believes that Bismarck Aero Center is poised for future suc- cess.
A Chamber member since 2006, Jon continues to renew Bismarck Aero Center’s membership each year as a means of contributing to the commu- nity. “I believe the Chamber is the hub that allows local businesses to contrib- ute to make the Bismarck-Mandan area a better place to work, play, and raise our families,” he said. Jon shared some inal thoughts about aviation, “I think most people associate the airport with only the commercial airlines. The reality is that our local airports are so much more to
Bismarck Aero Center CEO Jon Simmers in one of the several hangers used for maintenance and storage of local aircraft.
our community.” Jon says that general aviation is not limited to the elite and that it should be considered by all busi- nesses as a way to enhance business operations through time management,
eficiency, response time. “On a private level, aviation can enhance your per- sonal life as well. The freedom of light is like no other,” he said.
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