My background was in sheet metal engineering (my dad's trade). Having his own business I grew up working with sheet metal and fabrication machinery, then to sales roles with Ullrich Aluminium and Stainless Alloys. This gave me a fantastic knowledge base.I've been involved in the signage industry since 1987. In 1994 we based a branch of our business at Christchurch Airport. This was great, and lead to our joining the Aviation Industry Assn on whose council I served until 2014. In 2009 we moved to purpose built premises in Rolleston, and established Flight GSE Ltd alongside the sign company. This allows me to use my design skills to build quality airport ground handling equipment which is exported throughout the South Pacific and Australasia. In 2009 I started my Master's degree at Lincoln University. This experience was transformational - every semester I gained skills that we assimilated into the businesses. Finishing this degree was immensely satisfying. I cannot thank enough my supervisors at Lincoln for allowing me to channel my learning along aviation lines. My dissertation was on the linkages between the airlines and the tourism authorities in the South Pacific and the role they play in marketing their countries. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of producing it. In doing so I was able to draw on my contacts in the aviation industry in the South Pacific; especially those members of the Association of South Pacific Airlines, a group we're proudly members of. There is such a huge wealth of talent within the airlines of the region, and I wish to thank all of these people for the assistance, inspiration and insight they offered.I thank my wife of 34 years, Aileen, for all the love, encouragement and the candid advice she offers and for being my traveling companion on this wonderful journey.I also appreciate the similar support from our two wonderful daughters.