Leadership Greater Topeka | Sam Sutton
Photo by BRADEN DIMICK
What led you to your career?
I grew up on a small farm north of Ft. Riley. Our house was located along the low-level route for the helicopters based there. As a child we would hear the helicopters coming and run into the yard, waving frantically as they flew over. I knew from that moment I wanted to fly helicopters when I grew up. I was fortunate to have great mentors after high school. They helped guide me into the military and navigate my career creating a path for my future.
What do you love most about your work?
What I love about my work is the opportunity to travel and meet new people. My wife and I love to travel and have been to all seven continents. Likewise, my career in aviation has allowed me to travel all over the U.S. and build a network of friends with similar interests.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned?
If you don’t make time for maintenance, maintenance will make time for you. This is one of the hardest lessons learned in aviation and in life. Take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Take care of your family and your equipment and it will all take care of you.
What characteristic do you most admire in others?
Humor. It’s a unique characteristic that has the ability to break down barriers and bond people. For a majority of folks humor serves as a form of therapy. Making someone laugh can lift them from a dark place, even if it’s just temporary. So, keep laughter alive!
What makes you unique?
For this question I had to consult my wife. She was the commander for Navy Customs when we first met, yet, of the millions of people she met during our respective deployments, I stood out. Her response was simply, my calm demeanor. Remaining calm in high stress situations has saved my life on numerous occasions in combat and other emergency situations. Being calm can be contagious!
What is your leadership style?
I prefer to lead by doing, some might call it leading by example. For me it’s deeper than that, I’ve always been a mechanically minded person. I love digging in and getting my hands dirty! But I’ll never pass up an opportunity to teach what I’ve learned on my way.
What’s the last series you binge-watched?
Currently we are binge watching NOS4A2. Joe Hill is just as brilliant as his father!
What do you collect? Why?
Experiences. From all the trauma life brings to scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Hiking in Antarctica to having hookah nights with a former Colonel in Saddam’s Republican Guard. Everything I’ve experienced and those who’ve been there with me made me the person I am today, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
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