Inside this issue:
- Former Client Spotlight: Finding Passion, Vision and Life Purpose in a Community Service Project
- A Page From My Playbook: Getting Caught With Weed
- Four Knockout Tips Mike Tyson's Case Can Teach You About Choosing the Right Criminal Lawyer
- New Year "News":
- Brand New Free Report "7 Rules You Need to Know to Survive a Florida DUI"
- Blue Wave Cocktail Recipe
- New Diet for Adam
Cover Story:
Former Client Spotlight: Finding Passion, Vision and Life Purpose in a Community Service Project
When former client, John Zappia—an aviation expert and one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met—was facing 100 hours of community service, he didn’t wait for the judge to decide what he should do.
Instead, he had a plan. A savvy businessman, he wanted to volunteer his time in a way that would make the biggest impact with his experience and skillset.
“You gotta have a vision and be able to see it all the way through. Otherwise, don’t even bother starting,” says John.
He had a solid plan and vision. A long-time aviation industry veteran with vast experience on both the technical and business side, John completed his community service hours at the Broward College Aviation Institute in Pembroke Pines. On a tour through the Institute with him, it was very easy to see the powerful impact he’s having on both students and teachers at the school. The students were excited to see him and tell him what they were working on, and the faculty wanted to hear what he had in store next.
“For me what I’m doing is routine stuff, but for the school it’s huge. I love seeing the energy they bring to these projects.”
What exactly is John doing? He’s helping bridge the gap between the school and the aviation industry. So far he’s negotiated the donation of two Hawker 700 (a mid-size private jet) engines to the school, and taken care of the logistics to get them there. And when FedEx wanted to donate three 727 engines that fit the school’s aircraft (as seen in the cover photo) John again is negotiating the logistics of how to get the engines there.
“For the school it would have cost probably $60,000 dollars to get those three engines to the school, which is something they don’t have the money to do. But using my industry contacts I’m able to figure out a way to get the engines to the school without incurring that kind of cost.”
Over lunch the same day as our tour, John was able to secure the manuals and fixtures the students needed so they can actually start working on the FedEx plane to remove the engines.
“The manuals alone can cost $50,000, which again, the school can’t afford. But without the manual they can’t work on the engine, and it’s so much better for them to have hands-on experience removing a wing, rather than just watching a video on it—especially when the need for good technicians is on the rise.”
Despite completing his community service hours months ago, John has no plans of stopping anytime soon. He’s even working with the dean to introduce Adam’s DUI presentation and implement an entrepreneurship program for students in the future.
“I’m really having fun with it. I’m so grateful that I can help these kids, and use my aviation contacts to connect the school to the industry and really pay it forward.”
