At Aero-Mach, our success has always been measured by the people behind the work. For more than four decades, our reputation has been built by technicians, craftsmen, problem-solvers, and mentors who approach every repair, every test, and every customer challenge with an unwavering commitment to excellence. Their knowledge, dedication, and pride have defined who we are and shaped the culture that continues to set Aero-Mach apart.
Few individuals embody those values more completely than Steve Shamasko. This year, Steve celebrates an extraordinary milestone: 45 years of service to Aero-Mach.
Reaching four and a half decades with a single company is a remarkable accomplishment. More importantly, it represents a lifetime of contribution to an organization, an industry, and the countless people who have worked alongside him. Throughout his career, Steve has earned a reputation as one of Aero-Mach’s most trusted technical resources, and his expertise in electronics, troubleshooting, and test-equipment design has helped shape the capabilities of our organization and supported generations of technicians who have benefited from his guidance.
His story is not simply one of longevity. It is a story of innovation, craftsmanship, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to helping Aero-Mach succeed.
FROM THE BENCH
From Bench Technician to Technical Authority
Steve joined Aero-Mach on March 4, 1981, beginning his career as a bench technician. At the time, the company was still in its early years, and many of the systems, processes, and capabilities that define Aero-Mach today were still being developed. Over the next 45 years, Steve would play a meaningful role in that development.
Today, he serves as a Grade 3 Technician and remains one of the company’s most respected technical authorities. His deep understanding of electronics and his ability to diagnose complex issues have made him the person colleagues seek out when a challenging problem lands on the bench.
“His working knowledge of electronics has always impressed me. He seems to have an innate understanding that just comes naturally to him.”
RYAN GREEN · SERVICE MANAGER
That expertise has made Steve an invaluable resource throughout his career. Whether troubleshooting difficult electronic faults, supporting Aircraft-on-Ground requests after hours, or helping technicians navigate unfamiliar challenges, he has consistently approached every task with patience, precision, and determination. His contributions have quietly strengthened nearly every corner of the Aero-Mach operation.
THE CRAFT
Building the Tools Behind the Work
When asked about his accomplishments over the years, Steve’s response was characteristically humble.
“Having the fun of making test equipment.”
Anyone who has worked alongside Steve understands there is much more behind that simple statement. Throughout his career, he has designed, built, modified, and improved the specialized test equipment that supports Aero-Mach’s repair and testing capabilities. Many of the fixtures, panels, cable assemblies, and testing systems used throughout the facility today bear his influence.
Those contributions often happen behind the scenes. Customers may never see them, yet they play a critical role in maintaining the accuracy, efficiency, and quality standards that Aero-Mach is known for.
“A lot of the test equipment on the bench, everywhere you look, was made by him.”
BART SMITH
That observation speaks volumes. Steve’s legacy is not limited to the repairs he completed or the problems he solved — it can be seen in the infrastructure that supports the work of technicians throughout the company every day.
THE MENTOR
The Person People Turn To
Technical knowledge alone does not explain why Steve is so highly respected. What sets him apart is his willingness to share that knowledge with others. Throughout his career, he has been a teacher, mentor, and trusted advisor to countless employees, investing time in helping new technicians develop troubleshooting skills, understand electronic systems, and build the confidence necessary to succeed in a highly technical industry.
“He doesn’t just help you. He teaches you at the same time.”
CRAIG SIMONIS
Another colleague noted that Steve has spent years helping technicians learn not only how to solve problems, but how to approach them correctly from the beginning. That commitment has strengthened Aero-Mach far beyond any single repair or project — it has helped develop the next generation of technicians while preserving the expertise and craftsmanship our customers have come to expect. As one colleague put it, he’s never too busy to help troubleshoot a problem. For 45 years, that willingness to help has been constant.
THE KEEPER
Preserving Knowledge for Future Generations
In aviation maintenance and instrument repair, experience matters. Many of the instruments Aero-Mach supports today were designed decades ago, and maintaining the ability to service those components requires more than technical manuals. It requires institutional knowledge, historical understanding, and the ability to connect lessons learned over decades of hands-on experience. Steve has been one of the stewards of that knowledge.
Coworkers often joke about his ability to retain documentation, drawings, and reference materials from years gone by. While the comments are made with humor, they reflect something important: Steve understands the value of preserving information and ensuring it remains available for future generations of technicians. His knowledge extends beyond electronics and test equipment — he remembers why systems were developed, how processes evolved, and what solutions have worked throughout the company’s history. For many employees, Steve represents a living connection to Aero-Mach’s history and the standards that have guided the company for more than four decades.
THE CULTURE
A Reflection of Aero-Mach’s Values
Every organization hopes to build a culture where employees can grow, contribute, and build meaningful careers. Steve’s 45-year career stands as a powerful example of what that looks like in practice. His dedication reflects the values that have guided Aero-Mach since the beginning: technical excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
“Steve’s long history at AML reflects our family-focused, small-company culture, and his dedication is exactly what Aero-Mach is built on.”
RYAN GREEN · SERVICE MANAGER
Those words resonate because they are true. Steve’s career is not simply a measure of years served. It is a reflection of the relationships he has built, the people he has helped, and the lasting contributions he has made to the success of our company.
A Personal Note from the Owner
Steve was one of my very first supervisors, back when I was just a teenager still in school. At the time, I can’t say I was thrilled about the task he assigned me — but looking back, it made complete sense given how little experience I had with the products he managed. My soldering skills grew tremendously under him, mostly because that’s pretty much all I did: soldering incandescent bulbs to boards, all day long. Imagine doing that every day!
JEFF CARNLEY · OWNER · AERO-MACH FAMILY OF COMPANIES
Some of the things I admire most about Steve are that he’s reliable, patient, and genuinely cares about his workmanship. He always finds a way to make something work, and he’s often the go-to guy whenever any of us hit a problem we can’t crack. He was even the person my dad would turn to when something needed troubleshooting outside the products we work on here — like an old car speedometer.
Steve also has a competitive side. I remember plenty of break-time ping pong games over the years; he has an extraordinary knack for putting serious sidespin on the ball, which made it nearly impossible to return. He whooped me more times than I’d care to admit! And in our younger years, we played a few Saturday football games together — he had an arm on him and could really throw that ball. I always wanted him on my team.
But back to the milestone at hand: 45 years at Aero-Mach. That’s pretty special, and it says a lot about the man. Steve represents some of the very best of Aero-Mach — loyal, skilled, dependable, humble, and always willing to help solve the problem in front of him.
In Steve’s Own Words
His Motto: “Get-r-done.”
A Saying He Lives By: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving” — keep yourself in line and concentrate on what’s ahead of you at all times.
Thank You, Steve
It is difficult to fully measure the impact of a 45-year career. How do you quantify the countless problems solved, the equipment designed, the technicians mentored, or the knowledge shared over four and a half decades? You cannot. What you can do is recognize the extraordinary dedication behind such a career and express gratitude for the difference one person has made.
Steve Shamasko has helped build Aero-Mach into the company it is today. His expertise, leadership, and commitment have strengthened our capabilities, supported our employees, and contributed to the trust our customers place in us every day.
Thank you for your knowledge. Thank you for your craftsmanship. Thank you for your mentorship. Thank you for your dedication.
Most importantly, thank you for 45 years of helping Aero-Mach deliver excellence to the aviation industry. Congratulations on this remarkable milestone — we are proud to celebrate your legacy and honored to have you as part of the Aero-Mach family.
ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE AERO-MACH FAMILY