Transportation and Logistics

Clear skies

By Kristy J. O’Hara

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Fast facts

After more than 30 years of aviation and management experience, Michael McQuay has learned a thing or two.

“It’s about picking up one marble at a time,” he says. “It’s about a focus and keeping the basics of your business in mind.”

Those basics have carried McQuay through many successes throughout the decades. He started his career at Continental Airlines and worked his way through the ranks for 25 years, serving as vice president of customer service and sales support, vice president worldwide maintenance operations, and president Continental Air Micronesia and vice president hub operations.

In addition to his experience at Continental, he also worked as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hawaiian Airlines and as CEO and managing director of Air Pacific Limited, Fiji’s international airline.

Now, he’s flying through new skies as president of Flexjet, Bombardier’s fractional jet ownership company, Skyjet, its private jet booking service, and Bombardier’s Aircraft Services unit, which includes pilot and technical training for Bombardier’s business and regional aircraft. He joined the company in 2001, and in just seven years, he’s seen his share of ups and downs. Through it all, he’s kept his focus on the business basics by communicating with his 950 employees, helping them get through tough times and always looking to improve.

“Over the years, most businesses that have had real difficulty have tried to grasp the brass ring without doing the hard work that’s necessary to get there,” McQuay says. “People look at wanting to hit a home run in business, and it’s not about a home run — it’s about doing the basics. It’s the hit and run, laying down the bunt, not making errors in the field. If you focus on the basics and the little things, you have a tendency to have a better opportunity to be successful with the big things.”