SOME THINGS DON’T CHANGE

January 1, 2026

Happy New Year!  God only knows what is going to happen in 2026 but if we do our part, I am certain that God will do his part and all will be fine!  I recently ran across a quote from our 28th President of the United States, President Woodrow Wilson, that caused me to stop and think:

“A nation that does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do.  We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.”

I also have to think about the words in the bible: Isaiah- Chapter 46 Versus 9:

“Remember the former things long past ………. “

I have made up my mind that 2026 is “The Year Of Overhaul” at King Aerospace.  We are over 30 years old and there is lots of good, some not so good and even some bad!  Some things need to stay the same and some things need to change.  Over the years I repeat what I once heard some wise person say: “If you aren’t comfortable then you are in your growing zone.” We all can recall countless times when we were uncomfortable and we got thought it and now we know how to deal with similar situations because, by the grace of God, we learned!

At King Aerospace we routinely overhaul aircraft all the time.  When you overhaul an airplane there are benefits like enhanced safety, there are new instruments that enhance safety and increase the pilot’s efficiency.  There are things that we do to improve performance and reduce the resources needed to fly further and faster at a lower cost.  There is equipment and systems that provide greater mission support.  An overhaul and update means that the value of the asset is enhanced and the life of the aircraft is extended for many years.  Let’s not forget the saying “If you snooze, you lose.”

In some ways, business changes and assessments remind me of cleaning out the garage at home!  We don’t do it regular and over time it needs it but it’s not critical.  Once it’s done, it makes life better especially if you are a perfectionist or neat freak like me.  Regardless if an organization is new, or growing or been around for many years, it faces daily and long-term challenges.  Our strengths have served us well and at the top of that list is our Mission Statement of “Making a positive difference in the lives of those we employ, we serve and we encounter and earn a fair profit.” Our cornerstone principles and commitment to service to God, Country and Family will never change.  We are beginning a journey in a systematic perspective reviewing all aspects of our companies.  We will be looking at what our team members think, what our customers think and what our peers think.  We will review and map our processes, organizational structure, key performance indicators, equipment and data used to monitor and forecast where we are headed and how we will get there.  One of the key items on my list of many is how do we become the industry “Employer of Choice?” My goal is become where lots and lots of people want to work in service to God, Country and Family: No Excuses.

Now I am really going to step out on limb.  Or in true Texan jargon say candidly “Show my ass.” It is my dream for King Aerospace to one-day win the prestigious Baldrige National Quality Award for service.  To accomplish this world class challenge we must prepare, adapt, innovate and thrive.  This is not an easy or cheap process.  This process reminds me of the old band called “Blood, Sweat and Tears.” To me, no pain, no gain.  This is my goal and while I am sharing my legacy is to be remembered as The Crazy Half-Puerto Rican who was a Christian and Patriot in service to God, Country and Family; by the grace of God!  Know this will be a good year if we make it and have the faith!

Written by KING AEROSPACE Founder, Jerry Allan King-Echevarria.