Employee Profiles
At Edwards & Associates, employees are something more. They’re family. They’re the people who’ve helped us to lead the rotorcraft industry since 1977, and they’re the people who are shaping our company’s future. Meet some of the Edwards & Associates employees who are passionately committed to quality and impeccable customer service.
Dan Potter
Paint Department Manager
Dan Potter came to Edwards & Associates 22 years ago and set up the paint shop for the very first aircraft at the first Edwards facility. He started with one employee and helped the Paint Department grow to 38 employees across two buildings. As manager of the Paint Department, Dan does “whatever it takes to deliver a number-one product on time, in budget, in the safest and most ethical way possible.” A native of East Tennessee, Dan restores automobiles, rides motorcycles and cites “family, weather and outdoor activities” as the best things about East Tennessee.
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“Customer satisfaction is number one. This is a career, not just a job.”
What do you love most about your work?
“Edwards & Associates is a unique working environment. And there’s nothing like the satisfaction that comes with the challenges and accomplishments here.”
What do you bring to the company?
“I strive to go over and above the call of duty. I’m always looking to better the company and help my people get where they need to be according to their talents—I’m able to recognize talent in my own and other departments.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“Once, we drove down to US helicopters in Alabama to repair the peeling paint on a drive shaft. We painted three colors and a clear coat in one day to make delivery and drove back. US helicopters was able to continue to work the aircraft as we were accomplishing the repair.”
Lawrence Lee
Technical Training Instructor
Before joining Edwards & Associates in 2007, Lawrence Lee received his Bachelor of Science in Missionary Aviation from the Moody Bible Institute. He also acquired his A&P license and Inspection Authorization in addition to his private pilot’s license. As Edwards & Associates’ Technical Training Instructor, Lawrence researches and develops all of the company’s training materials, sessions and lecture time. Lawrence is originally from Vancouver and enjoys motorcycle riding and other outdoor activities in East Tennessee’s four distinct seasons.
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“It’s neat to get to come and work under people who are willing to work with you and teach you. It’s like a company collective of talent and experience.”
What do you love most about your work?
“Day to day, people come in off the floor, and I teach them and work with them one on one. The best way to be taught is to be a teacher. Even when I was on the floor, I enjoyed working on the aircraft and seeing the end product go out…but personally, I enjoy working with people more—it’s an investment in something more.”
What do you bring to the company?
“The training we do and time spent answering questions helps us turn out the best product in the industry. Everything in aviation is about pride in your work and striving for safety and airworthiness—but we go a cut above. I help people develop that mentality.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“We’re always trying to find a better way to do something. We take it for granted that we go beyond what the customer expects. It’s a culture and a mindset.”
Bill Finney
Chief Pilot, Director of Operations
Bill Finney was an Edwards & Associates customer before joining the company 25 years ago. As Chief Pilot, Director of Operations, Bill manages the day-to-day operations of the flight department. Bill received Agusta flight training as well as Bell Helicopter training in all commercial product flight except model 214. He also took an Aviation Maintenance Officers course while in the military and is an Airline Transport-rated pilot. Originally from West Virginia, Bill lives with his family in East Tennessee, where he enjoys “the best motorcycling riding in the world.”
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“I’m very proud of the product we have here—and customer service is number one. I feel good about our finished product and the services we provide.”
What do you love most about your work?
“Flying.”
What do you bring to the company?
“An accident-free and violation-free career. Years of experience and a positive attitude.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“Many times we’ve worked very late through the night to ensure the customer’s aircraft was available when they needed it.”
Gary Carrier
Sheet Metal III Mechanic
After working for Aeronautical Accessories, Inc., for 13 years, Gary Carrier recently transferred to Edwards & Associates temporarily and then decided to stay on as a Sheet Metal III Mechanic. Certified in Sheet Metals, Safety Wiring, and Torquing, Gary will get his A&P license after putting in the required 18 months at Edwards & Associates. Gary was born and raised in East Tennessee and is the father of two. He’s a former volunteer fireman and pro-level motorcycle racer.
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“Their standard of quality, the quality of the product. Also, they really try to take care of their employees, treat them fairly. In our area, Edwards is one of the most desired places to work.”
What do you love most about your work?
“It’s interesting. You learn every day—there’s always something new to pick up. I do everything from taking rotor blades off to putting the AC unit in—but no matter what I’m doing, I look at quality. It’s second nature to check your own work and each other’s work.”
What do you bring to the company?
“I enjoy helping some of the newer employees understand the level of quality in what we do, because I know what the customer and employees expect.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“They do whatever it takes to get it done.”
Jennifer Worley
Senior HR Support Representative
Jennifer Worley came to Edwards & Associates in 2001 after 15+ years in HR because of the company’s reputation for treating its employees and customers with the highest integrity. As Senior HR Support Rep, Jennifer supports the functional areas of HR, including recruitment, new hire orientation, employee records and customer service. A native of East Tennessee, Jennifer lives in Bristol where she enjoys gardening and family life in the region’s laid-back atmosphere.
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“How hard people work to meet customer demands. Everyone strives for excellent customer service. The atmosphere and attitude of my coworkers makes it different from anywhere else.”
What do you love most about your work?
“Edwards is a stable, solid company with wonderful people to work with. What I love most is helping people and making the employees feel like they’re important. Because they are.”
What do you bring to the company?
“Caring and listening to employees. I try to provide excellent customer service to employees and then outside to customers.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“One year, management held a cookout and gave every employee a $50 gas card. It was a wonderful example of how much the company appreciates our hard work and dedication.”
Matoka Sproles
Quality Assurance Representative, AS9100 Team Leader
Formerly at Aeronautical Accessories as an engineering technical specialist, Matoka Sproles joined Edwards & Associates in 2005. As Quality Assurance Representative, Matoka is the company’s backbone for document control and ensures AS9100 compliance. She is also certified as an Environmental Lead Auditor. A native of Elizabethton, Tenn., Matoka currently lives in Telford, Tenn., with her family and enjoys the region’s four seasons.
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“Stability. Before I came here, I’d heard about the company’s reputation for no turnover. That’s what I wanted. I knew I could grow from entry level.”
What do you love most about your work?
“Striving for perfection every day. Getting things right the first time.”
What do you bring to the company?
“I’m most proud of the impact I’ve had through AS9100 certification. And the positive customer responses as a result.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“That’s our goal, and we do it every day.”
Randall Lane
Six Sigma Black Belt
Randall Lane joined Edwards & Associates as a temporary employee in 1989 and never left. As a Six Sigma Black Belt, Randall promotes change and encourages leaner operating processes. He received his MBA from Milligan College and was nominated for the Six Sigma Black Belt program by the president of Edwards & Associates. A Kingsport, Tenn., native, Randall also raised his family there. He cites “community spirit” as the best thing about living in East Tennessee.
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“We’re always willing to go above and beyond to satisfy the customer. It’s different [from other companies] because Edwards is more customer-focused.”
What do you love most about your work?
“Mentoring people.”
What do you bring to the company?
“Twenty years in the aviation support business; stability and experience.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“We’ll often invite customers to stay at our homes instead of hotels for the attended comfort and personal attention.”
Tony Webb
Manager of Repair & Overhaul
Twenty-eight years ago, Tony Webb came to Edwards & Associates because he had never worked on helicopters before and thought it would be adventurous and fun. Now as Manager of Repair & Overhaul, Tony manages the daily operations of the component repair and overhaul shop. Tony is A&P certified and attended Bell training schools for the 206, 407, 212, 412 and MD500. He also received the Helicopter Association International Technician of the Year Award in 1993. A native of Kingsport, Tenn., Tony raised his family there and enjoys hiking, farming and working on cars.
What makes Edwards & Associates stand apart?
“The great people, great facility, and the overall good place it is to work. I have spent my career here.”
What do you love most about your work?
“The people I work with and our ability to provide a quality product to our customers. I’m proud of working for a first-class company.”
What do you bring to the company?
“A positive attitude. Personable, excellent customer service. I’m team-oriented and lead coworkers by example.”
How does Edwards & Associates exceed expectations?
“EA always goes above and beyond to meet—and exceed—customer expectations. This is what has made EA who we are and set our reputation in the field.”