It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Choose Aerospace board member and dear friend, Dr. Tammera Holmes.​

Tammera was a visionary leader in the aviation community and a tireless advocate for the industry. When Choose Aerospace was in its infancy, Tammera eagerly joined our board of directors. Her insights on community-based programs, teacher support, and outreach to underserved communities were an incredible resource for our young operation.

Tammera's life was marked by her passion, resilience, and commitment to creating opportunities for others. Even during diagnosis and treatment against a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer, she demonstrated the same bravery and determination that characterized her remarkable journey.

Her tireless efforts to illuminate the path for countless future pilots and aviation professionals transformed lives and strengthened the aviation industry. As we mourn this profound loss, we also celebrate the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind. And we will forever be grateful that we knew her, learned from her, and served alongside her.

Those who wish to honor Tammera are invited to donate to AeroStar Avion Institute, the Chicago-based nonprofit she founded to provide aviation career opportunities to underrepresented youth. A fund has also been establish to support her family.

Choose Aerospace has successfully utilized multiple funding sources to waive licensing fees for schools implementing its aviation maintenance curriculum during the current academic year. This initiative has removed financial barriers for high schools and expanded access to technical education.

The funding offset costs for 769 students across 40 schools in 14 states, totaling nearly $160,000. Support came from several key sources: an FAA workforce grant, a Rockford-based grant to AAR Corp that covered programs in Illinois, and an Oklahoma CareerTech contract that ensured funding for schools in the state. (See related story: funding-available-to-grow-high-school-aviation-technical-training-programs.html.)

"Industry is the ultimate beneficiary of these high school workforce programs, so it’s only fitting that our partners help remove cost as a barrier to program adoption," said Crystal Maguire, Choose Aerospace Executive Director. "While we’re thrilled to offer the curriculum free of charge this year, our ultimate goal is to make this opportunity accessible to all schools, every year."

Financial backing is critical to achieving Choose Aerospace’s mission of cultivating a diverse and well-qualified aviation maintenance workforce. To learn how your organization can contribute to providing free access to aviation technical training, visit www.chooseaerospace.org/support.

As a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to and adoption of aviation maintenance programs, Choose Aerospace recognizes that this mission cannot be accomplished alone. Our success is built on the collective efforts of numerous partners who share our vision and provide invaluable support to educators, students, and employers.

Oklahoma CareerTech and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) have proven to be two of our strongest allies. The state-based organizations provide leadership, funding and outreach opportunities and have positioned Oklahoma as a standout state, where over half of the Choose Aerospace high school programs reside.

Removing Barriers to Program Adoption

Oklahoma Career Tech contracts with Choose Aerospace to cover the licensing costs for any affiliated school that want to utilize the curriculum. CareerTech and ODAA staff educate schools on aviation program resources available and host annual events for administrators and teachers, providing guidance on curriculum adoption, program requirements, and career pathways in aviation maintenance.

Both organizations offer grant funding to enhance aviation education. For instance, the Oklahoma CareerTech Technology Grant provides resources for classroom equipment and materials, while the ODAA AERO Education Grant Program funds initiatives that inspire young people to pursue aerospace careers.  

Innovative Work-Based Learning Solutions

One of Oklahoma’s most innovative contributions is its paid internship model for high school students. Through a partnership with Express Employment Professionals, students gain real-world experience while employers overcome common barriers such as liability, workers’ compensation insurance, and administrative concerns.

In this model, Express Employment Professionals serves as the employer of record, covering workers’ compensation and liability insurance for students under the age of 18. This approach proved successful last summer when AAR Corp hired 10 high school Choose Aerospace student interns. Some of these students continued their employment during the school year and after graduation. AAR Corp plans to expand the program this coming summer, demonstrating the model’s scalability and effectiveness.

A Growing Impact

Oklahoma’s state-led partnerships have fueled remarkable growth, with the number of high school aviation maintenance programs in the state doubling annually over the past three years. These efforts not only strengthen Oklahoma’s aviation workforce pipeline but also serve as a model for other states seeking to replicate similar success.

Want to Learn More?

Discover how Oklahoma’s partnerships are shaping the future of aviation maintenance education. Book a discovery meeting with Director of Operations Kelly Filgo to explore opportunities and learn from this successful framework.

Choose Aerospace is currently accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. Awards for students, educators, and schools are available. They will provide educators and future aviators with scholarships, textbooks, training systems, tools, and testing fee credits.

The non-profit organization is in its sixth award season. This year's donors include Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), ARCS Aviation, Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA), Aviation Workforce Solutions, Nida Corporation, AVOTEK, Aircraft Technical Book Company, CertTEC, Snap-on, Sonic Tools, Northrop Rice Foundation, and ASTM International.
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​Eligible applicants must be planning to attend, be enrolled at, or teach in an aviation technical program. Only ATEC members, their instructors, and enrolled students are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is February 1.