Chip Houcek
As a young man, I started out working as a mechanic in the auto industry where I attended college to learn the trade. When 9-11 happened, I answered the call of duty and joined the Military. Hoping to apply my mechanical skills, I enlisted as a Helicopter Repairman and immediately tried out for the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). After years of training, I became a Helicopter Crew Chief and Machine-Gun-Operator on Blackhawks. Due to the high volume of annual deployments, I quickly learned that I needed a way to decompress when I was home. Woodworking became my outlet.
Being an aircraft mechanic requires a superior level of attention to detail that translates into the projects I build. When something leaves my shop, it has my name on it forever. It better be right - no exceptions!