I noticed this post before I joined. this is from last year from the 2006 general aviation awards by the NAFI, one of the guys worked for walmart in the flight area and this is what was said-
" 2005 AMT OF THE YEAR: Mike Branham began his aviation maintenance career in 1981 as a crew chief on a US Air Force KC135A Stratotanker. After serving four years in the Air Force, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard where he worked as a flight mechanic on the HH-65A Dolphin helicopter and a dropmaster on the HU25A Falcon Jet.
During his time in the Coast Guard, he specialized in aircraft composite structural repair. He also participated in search and rescue missions, fishery patrols, and drug enforcement missions. In recognition of his performance on these missions, he was awarded a Coast Guard Commendation Medal.
He received his airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic certification in 1990. After leaving the Coast Guard, he worked as lead mechanic for Raytheon Aircraft Systems performing depot level inspections on Navy T-34/44s. He also served as a crew chief for Ozark Aircraft Systems at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA). In that capacity, he supervised the inspections and line maintenance for American Eagle Emory Air 145/135s.
In 1999, he began his career with Wal-Mart Stores as an aircraft technician maintaining their corporate fleet. In January of 2000, he was granted inspection authorization by the FAA and joined Wal-Mart Aviation's quality assurance team. He was also named manager of their nondestructive testing program. In 2004, he was promoted to Wal-Mart's maintenance manager. In that position, he helps maintain a fleet of more than 20 corporate aircraft including Lear 31s, 35s, 45s, Global Express and a Challenger. Last year, the aircraft of Wal-Mart Aviation flew over 16,000 hours throughout the world.
When not overseeing the maintenance of Wal-Mart's aircraft fleet, he enjoys restoring his 1969 Camaro and spending time with his family on Tablerock Lake in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas.
Branham (MBranha@Wal-Mart.com) represented the Little Rock FSDO as well as the FAA's Southwest Region. This year's other regional AMT winners include John Joseph Connolly of Centerville, Maine (FAA New England Region); William David Cruey of Batavia, Ohio (FAA Great Lakes Region); Fred Everett Hetrick of Berryton, Kansas (FAA Central Region); Roy Merritt Hines of Raleigh, North Carolina (FAA Southern Region); John Charles Perry of Rangely, Colorado (FAA Northwest Mountain Region); and Bobby Gene Speaker of Sun City, Arizona (FAA Western Pacific Region)."
