Since December of 2006, Tony Somogyi has been the Executive Officer (XO) at the High-altitude ARNG Aviation Training Site (HAATS) near Vail, Colorado. HAATS is the only DoD training site that teaches helicopter pilots Power Management techniques in high gross weight, high Density Altitude, and power limited environments. They use the Rocky Mountains to train students from all DoD components, the USCG, and many different foreign countries how maximize the utility of their helicopters and safely conduct operations from 6,500 to over 14,000 feet above sea level. Additionally, HAATS is tasked with conducting Search and Rescue operations throughout the mountainous region of Colorado and averages 18 SAR missions per year.

In addition to his duties as the XO, Tony is still very active flying as an Instructor Pilot in the OH-58A/C and a Maintenance Test Pilot in the CH-47D. He teaches students the art and science behind Power Management, most in preparation for deployment to OEF. He has also routinely conducts Search and Rescue in the OH-58 in the high country of Colorado (over 10,000 feet MSL). “This is the rewarding part of my job, teaching students new skills and pushing their boundaries is great but it doesn’t compare to directly saving lives and practically applying what you teach.”

After graduation from UND in 1998, Tony served as an Aeroscout Platoon Leader, Flight Operations Officer and Troop Executive Officer and deployed to Iraq early with the “Buffalo Soldiers” of the 4th Infantry Division. After deployment, he became an OH-58D Maintenance Test Pilot and Aviation Unit Maintenance Troop Commander before accepting his current position. He was a three year Army ROTC scholarship and helicopter flight scholarship recipient.

Aside from the excellent flight training he received at UND, the leadership and interpersonal skills learned in the UND ROTC program still serve him today. “I have one week to get through to a student during our training, being in ROTC places you in different leadership positions and you only have a limited time to make an impact. It really teaches you to think clearly on your feet. That will set you apart from your peers in life.”

In May 2010 Art Galloway was appointed as the Director of Supply Chain for PZL Mielec a Sikorsky Aircraft Company located in Poland. PZL Mielec has nearly 1900 employees, including experienced design engineering staff and a highly-qualified workforce, Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze (Polish Aviation Company) in Mielec is the largest aircraft manufacturer in Poland with 70 years of experience in Polish aviation industry. PZL was selected in 2009 to be the primary manufacture of the International Blackhawk (S70i). On November 15 2010 the first S70i assembly was complete and flown in Poland a historic moment for the company.

As the Director of Supply Chain, Art is responsible for over 50 employees focused on all aspects of the negotiation, Sikorsky international supply chain strategy, material cost reduction, part quality and delivery performance of over 200 suppliers for S70i helicopter production, UH60M Cabin production, M28 Airplane production, and other cooperation programs. The team also focuses on non-product procurement to support the 10 acre campus which can be as small as office supplies to the design and construction on the new airfield

Prior to Art accepting his current assignment he was the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) for Sikorsky’s Precision Components business, where he was responsible for over $210M in spend in support of castings, forgings, gears and machines parts commodities. Prior to this role he was Strategy Manager for Precision Assembly (gearboxes, hydraulic systems, rotor-head, etc…), responsible for the strategy development and capacity expansion. Art also managed the 3PL operation at New Breed for Sikorsky and provided Material support for CCAD through SAS.

Prior to joining Sikorsky in 2005, Art served seven years as a US Army Aviator flying UH60 BLACKHAWKS. Art served in various leadership roles as Platoon Leader, Executive Officer and Brigade Logistics Officer, and he is a decorated veteran with combat experience in Afghanistan. Art learned many of his leadership that has help both his military and civilian skill while in the UND ROTC program. He was a recipient of a 2yr academic scholarship and helicopter flight scholarship.

One of the most essential things that the Army ROTC taught Art was that the people work for and with him are your most valuable resource. Remembering leadership is a verb, so a leader’s actions and words influence how people react. Regardless if you are military officer or a manager in the private sector training and motivating your team will be the key to your success.