HOW GREAT THOU ART
January 1, 2022
One of my favorite hymns begins with the following words:
“Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed”
I have sung this hymn my entire life. As we begin a new year, I cannot help but think about aII of the prior years of blessings that have allowed me to begin my 69th year. As I look at the moon and stars at night, the same moon, and stars that our ancestors have looked at for many generations, I truly appreciate our Creator and that hymn.
I, along with members of the King Aerospace leadership team, attended many Christmas events at our various sites across the United States this past month. It hurt my heart that we were unable to attend similar events at our international sites due to COVID quarantine rules. Despite not being with our deployed employees, I think about them and pray for their safety and the safety of their families.
Before each event that I attended, I studied biographical information of the individuals that were scheduled to attend to gain insight into their work backgrounds, families and hobbies. This information prepared me to visit with them and enjoy time with them. At these events, regardless of size, I got the sense that there was a “two-way” sense of love and appreciation in the air. Often, I heard or said the words “I love you” complete with a heartfelt hug! For me, these are humbling encounters and I feel like I am truly with family.
Just a couple of weeks ago, a high profile and well-respected person in the aviation industry asked me to interview a relative of his. It turns out that the young man I interviewed, who is a recently graduated airframe and powerplant mechanic, is working for a major defense contractor. To me, he is a special mechanic. He overhauled his first car engine at age 14! The young man wants to do a good job and be productive but is dissatisfied with his current job environment where these supervisors are telling him to “slow down.” The same “mentors” are attempting to teach him how to “look busy and lay low.” When the young man is given work cards or task cards and he attempts to be productive, he often finds that the company doesn’t have the parts on hand, so he is unable to complete the task. When he confronts his supervisors, he is told to “take the card and go over to a work area and act busy!” These are our tax dollars being wasted! More importantly, these “supervisors” are attempting to pollute the next generation of American workers! Don’t they realize that they are also opposing Scripture that talks about how we should live our lives and perform for our employers? I wasn’t totally shocked with what this young man shared with me because early in my working career, I had similar directions presented to me, which I rejected. My son Jarid had also had an experience like this in an office internship early in his working career.
This story resonates what is in my heart! At King Aerospace, one must be technically competent and more importantly must have the desire and commitment to do a good job in our service to God, Country, and Family.
I am humbled at the experience as I read the “bio books” of our employees. I am humbled and honored that I am trusted to lead such a wonderful group of dedicated people who care so much. I am thankful for all the individuals at all levels of our companies that enforce our King Kulture, which has no room for the “look busy” attitude. I learned long ago you can’t teach integrity, high energy, and intelligence.
I am going to openly share what I have felt in my heart for many years about King Aerospace people as I sing “How Great Thou Art.” I think how great each of you and most of those we serve are as I sing the hymn. I include you in these words of praise and pray that my feelings don’t take away from our “Big Boss” up above. Join me in making 2022 a great year, totally “Funded on Faith” as we each do our very best in all that we do at work, at home and in our communities! God Bless America and those we employ, those we serve and those we encounter! Happy New Year!
Written by KING AEROSPACE Founder, Jerry Allan King-Echevarria.