“Still I learn,” said Leonardo da Vinci at age 87. I am a life-long learner. When I joined the Air Force I wanted to fly but they made me a medic. I learned how to make the best out of a bad situation. I learned how to run three different clinics. I learned discipline and organization. When I became a B-52 Gunner, I learned to work in a team, in adverse conditions, with different personalities. When I became a C-141 Flight Engineer, I learned that people, not machines, get the job done. As an instructor of leadership, management, and communication, I learned to deal with very diverse teams. I helped others to learn and I learned from them.By the time I became a C-5 Flight Engineer, I flew a desk more often than a jet. I learned that, no matter the work, people experience the same problems. I learned that listening breaks down more barriers than talking. By the time I got to the C-20 I had witnessed people succeed at leadership and others fail miserably at it. I learned more from the failures than the successes.After 25 years in the Air Force, the FDIC gave me a fresh start. There I learned how to establish and work with satellite offices, how to deal diplomatically with very difficult people, and that my mental health is more important than a decent salary and good benefits. Eighteen months after arriving at the FDIC, Southwest Airlines hired me as an auditor. In two years I learned more about the airline business than I could have imagined, enough to become Lead Auditor.Later, I managed a team that handled safety communication, policies & procedures, and scheduling safety assurance activities. As one of the leaders in the development and implementation of Southwest’s Safety Management System, I learned that coordinating the activities of people from very different fields to end up with one system is remarkably similar to herding cats.After a year and a half of helping Allegiant Air's Internal Evaluation Program, I was reminded that success is often found along the path less traveled. At Omni Air International, I learned that true leadership commitment to safety--actions, not just words--is achievable and can be sustainable.Now I am learning all about airport operations, amazed at everything that happens behind and below the scenes to ensure passengers travel safely to and from wherever they need to go.It has been quite a road, but I have a lot of it yet to travel.And still I learn.