Master Mechanic Marlin Priest: Investing in the Next Generation

For Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award recipient Marlin Priest, supporting aviation maintenance means helping others find their place in the profession. His contributions include helping establish the modern NBAA Maintenance Committee, serving as its chair, and expanding its training subcommittee. In a 2025 interview with Aviation Personnel International, Priest emphasized the responsibility experienced technicians have to teach and encourage newcomers. Source: Aviation Personnel International

Priest’s commitment to education extends beyond the hangar. As a member of Snead State Community College’s Aviation Program Advisory Board, he supported opportunities to prepare students for maintenance careers. During the college’s 2018 celebration of its aviation program, he spoke about the demand for qualified technicians and the importance of making training available in a community positioned for growth. Source: Snead State Community College

He has also promoted collaboration with Alabama museums and high schools to introduce young people to aviation. At NBAA’s 2019 Maintenance Conference, Priest highlighted those partnerships as part of the broader effort to help students discover career opportunities in business aviation. Source: NBAA
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PAMA recognizes Priest’s dedication to strengthening the profession through education and mentorship. His example offers a practical challenge to experienced maintenance professionals: share your knowledge, welcome new talent, and help the next generation build the skills and confidence that safe aviation requires.