use cellular communications in helicopters to save lives. “We went with the second option and I think it was the right one,” says Chamorro. “We’ve been focused on products like Lifeseeker since making that decision. All of our products now combine telecommunications and helicopters.”
Why develop search and rescue products for helicopters? It’s a natural fit, Chamorro says. “Helicopters perform both sides of the mission: they can do the search and they can also do the rescue.” Plus, developing and testing SAR products keeps him in the mountains where helicopters fly many SAR missions — and where he loves to pursue his passion for hiking and climbing. It’s a win-win environment for him and his business.
It’s not all about combining hobbies and business; it’s about much more for Chamorro. “The best feeling I ever had in business was when a Swiss Air Force Super Puma, our first customer, used our product to rescue a woman. Watching that was the best feeling ever,” he says.
Another great feeling is seeing his son and daughter successfully pursue their higher education and become “nice and healthy” young adults. He credits his wife Marta, an art historian, with guiding their growth.
FAMILY AND READING
If his children ever need information for a college book report, Dad will be a natural research assistant. Chamorro has been an avid reader throughout his life and compiles notes on virtually every book he reads. “Almost every book I read, I learn something and something inside me changes,” he says.
The last two books he devoured are Skin in the Game by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, which is about how risk should be spread among parties making a big decision. One side should not receive reward while another side assumes risk. Book two is Principles of Economics by Saifedean Ammous. “It’s a basic, simple economics book. I tend to focus on different subjects as I read throughout life. In the past, I’ve read history and philosophy, but now I’m reading about economics from Marxism to (free-market) Libertarianism. At the end of the day, I want to understand social behavior.”
14 Sept/Oct 2025
SHOW ME
When hiring for Centum, the behavior that Chamorro looks for can be summed up with show, don’t tell. “Actions speak louder than words,” he says. “Don’t tell me who you are, but show me with your behavior. Our company looks for integrity, commitment, and the ability to get along with others.”
Don’t misunderstand; Chamorro doesn’t expect his team to take strategic action without direction. Centum is not a show-me- or-else environment. “My style adapts to the people I work with,” he says. “Two things that are always part of my leadership are (1) setting a mission vision and (2) including my team in the decision process. Depending on the circumstances and people, I may emphasize one over the other, but mission vision and inclusive decision-making are always part of my leadership.”
HOOKED ON A FEELING
The focus of Chamorro’s Centum vision and decisions is customers.
“Intentionally building lasting relationships with customers is key to long-term success,” he says. “I’ve seen that helicopter pilots and crews are committed to their missions; they don’t just work for a salary, but they believe in what they do. When we work closely with our customers, we get hooked by what they do and we want to stay close to them.”
You can say that Chamorro is “hooked on a feeling.” He concludes, “People in the helicopter industry are very passionate about the important work they do. You can actually feel their dedication. Crews behind the scenes when they’re not flying a mission are constantly training to prepare themselves, and they’re working out the details to be ready for when they are called upon.
“To provide a product that contributes to the success of these missions is a very satisfying feeling.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
