By Debra Solomon Baker
Lee Lancaster
general manager,
Signature Flight Support-St. Louis
Ever since childhood, Lee Lancaster has been enamored with aviation.
“If it made noise and flew overhead, I was watching it,” he remembers. “And I still do. Aviation is just in my blood.”
Although he has not flown a plane in 10 years, as general manager of Signature Flight Support in St. Louis, Lancaster is, of course, still surrounded by that which he loves.
“I wish people could see what aviation really does for people,” he says. “This is not strictly a perk for an executive.”
From the hub at Lambert Airport, Lancaster and his team of 23 employees, of course, see their share of corporate jets. However, they also oversee the departure and arrival of government aircraft, of sports teams, and even of student pilots.
Signature Flight Support is the world’s largest fixed base operation (FBO) and distribution network for business aviation services. Signature products and services include fueling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling, passenger services, maintenance, fuel purchasing and deicing at strategic domestic and international locations.
Though with these tight economic times, there has been an overall decrease in flights nationwide, Lancaster still sees an average of 18 departures a day. He knows that it is a combination of the convenient location and the personal contact that attracts his customers.
For years, Lancaster, who describes himself as “hands-on,” but not a micromanager, merely dreamed of actually making a career out of aviation. However, in 1995, he entered a program in Dallas to become a licensed aircraft dispatcher. After a stint elsewhere, he began with Signature in Dallas in 2004, where he has remained, relocating to St. Louis about a year ago.
What has been the biggest surprise about his new hometown? Lancaster says that, despite the construction, he has yet to see horrendous traffic here in St. Louis, especially compared to Dallas.
But, traffic or no traffic, lift-off is still what he advocates.
“Being able to come in here and just head out to your plane, that’s a much more convenient way to travel. And you’re up there and nobody’s talking on their cell phones, so that’s nice…we know they’re paying attention,” he says.
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE INSIGHTS
If you were to become an official
ambassador for the St. Louis metro area,
what aspect of our community would you most want to showcase?
“This is a terrific community in which to do business. We have a hard working, smart and experienced workforce, an excellent quality of life, and a low cost to doing business.”
TOM VOSS
president & CEO,
Ameren
“If I were to become an official ambassador for the St. Louis metropolitan area I would point out some of our rather amazing and positive attributes, which make our region a great place to live, work and play.
St. Louis is in a globally strategic position to capitalize on its Midwest location, with the confluence of two navigable rivers. Equally attractive from a transportation and logistical capability are the intersection of several major highway systems.
Our workforce is one of the most prepared and reliable, with well-trained people.
St. Louis is an imminently livable area with fine old and new homes, quiet and robust neighborhoods whose character speaks of great Midwestern values, seeking to preserve the best of our past, while nurturing the encouraging promise of our future. Am I ‘Sold on St. Louis,’ you bet your life I am.”
CLARENCE HARMON
former Mayor, City of St. Louis
general manager, G4S Wackenhut
For more information on the Leadership Circle, please contact Colin Stahlhut, vice president-membership services, (314) 444-1145, cstahlhut@stlrcga.org
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