Every Veterans Day, we are reminded of the individuals whose stories of service have shaped both our nation and our workplace. At Pro Star Aviation, we are proud to count veterans from every branch of the U.S. military among our team. Their commitment to service shows through the same precision, professionalism, and teamwork that continue to define our success in the world of aviation. In fact, for many of our veterans, aviation has been a lifelong passion, one that began in the military and continues to thrive here at Pro Star.

Robert Cummings, a former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant and Aviation Ordnance Technician, recalls his time working on the F/A-18 Hornet as the foundation for his aviation career. “I joined to challenge myself, serve my country, and be a part of something greater,” he says. “Working on aircraft in the Marines sparked my passion for aviation. When I transitioned out, business aviation was a natural fit.” The lessons Robert learned in the Marines, especially while working on aircraft, shaped the approach he carries into every task. That same principle of careful workmanship continues to guide his work at Pro Star today. 

For Danielle Vizena, a former U.S. Army aircraft structural mechanic on helicopters, military service was a family tradition and a gateway to aviation. “My father was a Vietnam Navy Veteran and encouraged me to join. The Army guaranteed that I would work in aviation, which had always been a strong interest of mine,” she explains. Danielle also expressed her gratification for the standards upheld by the U.S. Army. “The military teaches you how to work as a team, how to attain a goal, and to take pride in a job well done.” Those tenets still remain central to Danielle’s work in business aviation. 

Similarly, Andrew Hixson, a former U.S. Navy aviation structural mechanic, was drawn to service by a long line of family members in uniform. During his service, he found his love for aviation blossoming. “It really grew on me and became more of my identity,” Andrew remembers. After separating from active duty, he found his way back to full-time aviation at Pro Star, where his expertise and leadership continue to stand out. “Work ethic, accountability, and professionalism have been ingrained in me. I take pride in the work that I do and always give my best effort.”

Like Danielle and Andrew, Miguel Del Rosario joined the military for familial reasons. A current member of the National Guard, he enlisted to secure a better future for his family. Miguel serves as both a UH-60 Blackhawk and UH-72 Lakota Repair Technician, and looks at his ongoing relationship with the military with great pride. “It has been instrumental in developing leadership skills, responsibility, and the ability to operate in highly stressful environments where precision is key,” he says. “It has shaped my resiliency in accomplishing demanding and critical jobs”.

Eileen Eisenstein, who served as an Aircraft Structural Repairer in the U.S. Army, describes herself as a modern-day ‘Rosie the Riveter’. Her six-year service took her overseas and led her to earn her Airframe and Powerplant license. Like Miguel, Eileen’s time in the Army prepared her to thrive in tense and demanding settings. “My deployment to Kosovo taught me to handle heavy workloads and varying personalities in high stress environments — always paying attention to little details,” she says. This skill has also served her well in business aviation, allowing her to rise to any challenge with strength and composure.

Beyond honoring those already on our team, Pro Star Aviation also supports service members transitioning to civilian life through our partnership with SkillBridge. This program, which is run through the Department of Defense, gives service members the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in aviation maintenance and operations before officially entering the civilian workforce. Heading the program here at Pro Star is our General Manager, Sean Peterson, who helped to launch our partnership in 2022. 

“SkillBridge allows service members to come in and work as aviation technicians, whether or not they have prior experience. They spend about three months with us collecting on-the-job training to get a real sense of what it’s like to work in aviation post-military,” Sean explains. Since joining the program, Pro Star has hired three SkillBridge graduates, with more already lined up for the coming year. 

Sean adds that veterans often rise quickly into leadership roles thanks to their discipline and adaptability. “Our vets have a strong sense of commitment and long-term career goals,” he says. “They’re used to dynamic environments and tend to adapt quickly to changes in workflows and technology. Because many operated in high-pressure conditions with limited resources, they have that ‘it’ factor when it comes to troubleshooting and resolving problems quickly.” These qualities influence far more than individual projects, they help to shape the very nature of how we operate as a team. 

At Pro Star Aviation, we take pride not only in our veterans’ technical expertise but in the integrity, discipline, and leadership they bring to every project. Their experiences enrich our culture, strengthen our mission to deliver the highest standards of safety and service, and reflect the very best of both military service and aviation professionalism. Their courage, skill, and dedication embody our values and continue to inspire us every day. On this day of remembrance and respect, we proudly honor their service and extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served and continue to serve, whose sacrifices protect the freedoms we all hold dear.