The Founders Society Spotlight: Zachary Ayers, 2007

Question 1: Can you tell us a little bit about what your career and personal life looks like these days? I am a Marine combat veteran with experience in the Afghan War. I currently run an inflight entertainment shop with Thales here in San Francisco as a Line Maintenance Supervisor. I started at the bottom working on old 747s in Melbourne until I got my A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) license. I did a stint at SpaceX as a Launch Technician. I helped build the launch pad for the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy at Cape Canaveral on launch pad 39-A. I currently support United's and JetBlue's operations now.

Question 2: Why did you choose to support the AoIT Alumni Association? It is always good to give back now that I have the means to do so. I’d like to give someone an opportunity I necessarily didn’t have.

Question 3: Looking back, what did you enjoy most about Crooms AoIT? It was fun. Simple as that. We got to mess around with computers all day like the nerds we are. It was always fun getting around the admins like cats and mice just to play a little Counter-Strike with your friends.

Question 4: What do the next 3-5 years look like for you? Continuing to support my family, and seeing where the next opportunity that presents its self takes me.

Question 5: Any advice you would give to current Croomies? Don’t be afraid to fail. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself. You will fail in life it’s a fact. Getting up from that failure and learning from it is the hard part.

Updated: August 5, 2023

The Founders Society was established in 2011 to recognize the Crooms AoIT Alumni Association's most generous benefactors. These individuals, couples, or companies have made significant one-time contributions during our capital fundraising periods for the advancement of Crooms AoIT. Society members are sending a message that philanthropic support of Crooms AoIT and the current student body is vital to our alma mater's future success. Their financial support is changing lives and helps promote a culture of community support and involvement. To learn more about The Founders Society visit www.croomsalumni.com/about/founders.