Michael Welch worked his way up from intern to general manager, serving in a variety of roles at TAC Air, including line service technician and line service manager. He was then promoted to lead TAC Air-BDL as general manager and in 2020 moved to the general manager role at the TAC Air-APA FBO at Centennial Airport.
“I really enjoy the interaction with people on both the employee side as well as the customer side,” he said. “Every day is a challenge and when I look back on the day, week, month or year and see what our team has accomplished it is the most rewarding experience.”
While general manager of TAC Air-BDL at Bradley International Airport (BDL), Welch participated in the airport’s Fire Foam committee to minimize environmental impact. Because of his involvement on this committee, local FBOs were able to apply for code modifications to remove or not install foam fire suppression systems in hangars on a case by case basis.
Welch substantially decreased employee turnover at TAC Air-BDL and built a lasting service culture where employees and customers could thrive.
“The biggest thing I take pride in when thinking about our industry is the good done for the local communities it serves,” he said. “From medical aircraft, to dog and animal rescue transportation, to being a part of the growth for local businesses and economy to thrive. When I read news articles about new business or large events that drive economic growth and know we were part of making it happen, especially without most people knowing our role, it’s just plain rewarding.”
Welch was an early adopter through implementation of a remote control tug. Introducing this technology into daily FBO operations continues to advance safety margins and increases efficiency with the ability to fit more aircraft into each hangar.
He is an active member of aviation industry organizations including NBAA, AOPA and the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA). Each year at TAC Air-APA, Welch helps plan and host the Morgan Adams Concurs de Elegance fundraiser. In addition, he took part in the Morgan Adams Foundation Mentor for A Day program, where he hosted one of the organization’s survivors and showed him what it was like to work at an FBO.
Welch has been involved with Make a Wish helping grant wishes for several years and has volunteered his time to cook dinner on several occasions at the Ronald McDonald House.
QUICK FACTS:
Hometown: Buhl, Idaho
Alma Mater: Westminster College
Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy riding and working on Dirt Bikes.
Someone I look up to in the industry: I know it sounds trite, but in the industry I look up to our company’s owner, Greg Arnold. He has tremendous leadership and has built a privately owned company and team of people, who I also look up to, to be a long-term major player in an industry that is dominated by large publicly traded companies.
My favorite thing about aviation is: Just being in the industry. Being around the airport and aircraft on a daily basis. It’s fun to listen to people outside of the industry talk about aviation and airplanes, knowing I get to live it every day.
My dream aviation job: What I am doing now. General Manager of an FBO for a great company and living and working in a great city that puts me where I like to spend my free time - outdoors. I get the best of all worlds. Working in and managing business, being around aircraft and aviation, working with a great team of people and being close to the mountains.