Cleon Shamburger, Seat Shop Interiors Lead at HAECO Americas, has been with the company since 2008. His journey in aviation began during a pivotal moment in his life, when a community college aviation programme introduced him to a career path he hadn’t previously considered. After successfully completing the course and passing placement tests, Cleon joined HAECO and has steadily advanced through the ranks over the past 17 years.  

Before his recent promotion, he spent seven years as a deputy lead, a role that involved supporting crews, managing non-routine tasks, and stepping in whenever leadership was needed. His reliability and instinct for knowing when and how to help made him a natural choice for a permanent leadership position.

Today, Cleon leads a dynamic and diverse team in the seat shop, where they overhaul and modify passenger seats for a major airline’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The work is meticulous and technical, requiring the team to strip seats down to their frames and install new components in line with detailed maintenance manuals. Despite the complexity, Cleon’s team consistently delivers ahead of schedule, earning recognition from both customers and management.

Their success is rooted in a strong sense of teamwork and shared commitment. “We’re all one team,” Cleon says. “When we win, we win together.” He fosters a culture of transparency and mutual respect, encouraging collaboration and growth. Whether facing new challenges like unfamiliar seat modifications or tight deadlines, the team rises to the occasion with determination and unity.

For Cleon, the most rewarding part of his role is seeing his team’s efforts acknowledged. Positive feedback from customers, project managers, and colleagues fuels his drive to take on new challenges and continue growing within HAECO. His story is a testament to the company’s culture—where dedication, opportunity, and community come together to build lasting careers.