Roy, Maily and some of the crew at the Tampa Hanger.
Roy and I are local boys that grew up here in the bay area. We both attended Land O’Lakes high school; Roy Graduated in 1984, and I in 1985. After high school, Roy joined the Marine Corp, where he was trained as an Avionics System Technician. Just to scratch the surface of his career in the Marines, he also became a rescue swimmer, flying with a helicopter unit all around the country recruiting officer cadets for the corp.; he also pulled duty in the Asian theater of operation. Roy is an over achiever and high character individual and that is why I am fortunate to have him as a business partner. When he left the Corp in 1987, he went to work for Delta Air Lines. While there, Roy became an instructor for a period of time and went on to finish his Bachelors degree and obtained his Air Frame and Power Plant License. He also became a supervisor in the Avionics dept here at the Tampa hanger facility. I can tell you because I worked for him, that he was well respected by his peers for his aircraft knowledge and leadership abilities. We had an outstanding shop in Tampa. The questioned was never can we get it done, but let’s get it done and done right. We did more, with less, in Tampa and did it right the first time and that is credited to everyone in the hanger that we worked with.
This is where I come into the picture, my name is Maily David and after high school, I joined the United States Air force in 1987. I was trained as an Avionics Guidance and Control Systems technician. I then received orders to George Air force base in Victorville Ca. My unit was the 35TAC fighter wing (Wild Weasels) our motto was first in last out. We flew the Brick on a stick. My unit used the last F4G’s in the active Air force at the time. These planes were equipped with classified gear that jammed and destroyed (SAM) surface to air missiles that shoot down aircraft. I spent eight month in the Persian Gulf and I count my self fortunate to be chosen to represent my unit in the war. After the war my enlistment came up in June of 1991 I had a tough decision to make. I loved the Air force but felt it a better choice for my wife and me to move on to a career with Delta Air Lines. I worked for seven years at Delta’s Atlanta facility Dept 352, in the Automatic Test equipment shop. There we repaired aircraft instrument, autopilot and navigation systems down to the component level. While there, I obtained a FCC License.
In 1998 I received an opportunity to expand my career and come home with a transfer to the Tampa hanger Avionics dept. Here I had to the opportunity to gain the experience that allowed me to test for my Airframe and Power Plant license. Let me say at this point that throughout my career in the Air force and at Delta I have had the privilege to work with some of the aviation industries brightest and best people. This had a direct effect in honing my technical skills.
In 2005, Delta decided that they needed to consolidate their hanger operations back to Atlanta and wanted Roy and I along with everyone at the hanger to relocate back to headquarters. Our families had laid down roots so we decided to go out on our own. I had been furloughed in 1994 and went to work for Bell South in Switched Maintenance and then Sprint in Network Operation. Before being recalled back to Delta, So I had experienced what people in my industry refer to as being on the outside. This definitely had an impact on the tough decision to leave what was a family for me for fourteen years at Delta Airlines.
Roy and I started a home improvement business up until purchasing Office Furniture Broker last year. Although not having a background in this industry we felt we could bring the level of dedication and Commitment to this operation that we had through out our previous careers. Roy gained great management experience while at Delta and also when he was in charge of maintenance program for an upstart airline. I am a jack of all trades. I have a heavy mechanical and computer background. While in High school, my senior year, I attended Marchman vocational school. I studied combustion engine theory and went on to receive third place in the state of Florida in the Vocation Olympics for Marine Mechanics.
Let me at this point thank our wife’s and family. Our wives have supported Roy and me through out this whole process. I have two wonderful girls, the oldest, who I would describe as passionate. She is an accomplished musician, soccer goalie and Honors student who cares about those around her. The youngest, a charismatic child who seems to draw people to her when she walks in a room, loves to dance and express her self through Art. My wife is a manager in the testing dept at her company who I have utmost respect for. She is a loving mother and classily lady. She is my rock! She also has one of the most amazing work ethics I have seen. Many times when most would mail it in, she will forge ahead with great resolve. Let me also thank my mom and dad who have always support me no matter what path life has taken me to. And for Roy's family and mine a great source of strength is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!!
Roy has three boys the middle boy is the thinker. Very smart, love’s to play tee ball and just finished his first triathlon, following in mom’s foot steps. The youngest is the free sprit, fun loving boy that loves interacting with others. The oldest is a gentle person who is very intuitive.
Roy’s wife is a licensed Physical therapist. Who trains for and competes regularly in Triathlons. She can pick a golf club, grab a basket ball, pitch a soft ball, you name it. You had better bring it when competing with her. She also is a loving mother and wife who is a very important part of her family well being.
As you can see family is a very important part of our lifes as it should be. We now also have a new part to our family here at Office Furniture Broker. Each one of our team bring there special talents to the collective skills to our operations.
My Unit in the Gulf War (Operation Desert Strom) 35 Tactical Fighter Wing
(Wild Weasels)
