More than 60 students and teachers from the Mark Richardson Career Technical Center participated in an Aviation Career Day on Friday March 27th. The event was organized by EconAlliance in partnership with ArtCraft Paint, Inc. and the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District (SMJUHSD). The event provided hands-on exposure to aviation careers, highlighting local technical education partnerships.

Partnership Attendees from Artcraft Paint Inc. were:

– Teresa Arredondo, CEO
– Alex Arredondo, President
– Juan Valdovinos, Interior Department Manager
– Daniel Garcia, Prepers Manager
– Danny Perez, Graphics and Social Media Manager
– Chris Hurtado, Certified Mechanic

Chase Pietenpol and Jeffrey Strebler attended from Overwatch Aero; and from Central Coast Jet Center, Chris Kunkle, CEO was on hand.

From the San Luis Obispo chapter of The 99s (International Organization of Women Pilots), two pilots shared insights: Jamaica Hines: Pilot, flight instructor, and founder of Pacific Sky Aviation in San Luis Obispo, CA; and Sarah Oberman (Oberman Bartush), founder of TruNorth Jets.

From California Aeronautical University, Sebastian Bernal, Student / Commercial Pilot (CAU Flight Team member) and Jared Libao, Student / Commercial Pilot (CAU Flight Team member) contributed.

And from EconAlliance, participants were: John Fowler, CEO; Alejandra Mahoney, Aviation Day project manager, and Lydia Zamudio, who helped coordinate the Day.