Candidate for
Director; East Kern Airport District

Michael Potter was a pilot at 16 and a Captain for TWA by the age of 23. Virtually raised at his father's repair station at what is now bustling Burbank Airport, Mike began his aviation career at a very young age. In addition to his mentor Father, Mike has 3 brothers also employed in aviation and has maintained relationships with many aviation pioneers in a variety of aviation fields. Mojave and Palmdale airports were early destinations which continued during his TWA tenure including acting as First Officer for the certification of the Lockheed L1011 for flight. Mike delivered the first 21 Convair aircraft to Mojave which became the first landmarks of airliners for long term storage or retirement on Mojave Field. Concurrent with and after his medical retirement as a Pilot for TWA Mike has leased property and conducted business in aviation at Mojave Airport since 1983. As a 20 year tenant, Mike Potter has enabled business at Mojave Airport which conformed to each change in the industry. While acting as President of O K Airline Support, the first of many fleets of airliners were retired and maintained for Eastern Airlines, Pan Am and Midway Airlines. This era in the 90's put Mojave on the map for such services world-wide and Mojave Airport has enjoyed significant income for such airliners numbering in the hundreds and varies with industry surges. While formerly putting airliners back into the sky, Mike's company eased into dismantling on behalf of clients from across the country. And yet another aftermarket was born. Mojave became a highly desired film location due to the abundant choice of potential airliners used in major motion pictures, ads and rock-videos. Working for TWA was extremely rewarding to Mike as he was able to accomplish numerous additonal goals. He served on the Santa Barbara Airport commission, , was active in search and rescue. Mike operated a fish import and processing business using the sole Convair 880 freighter that was later retired to Mojave with 20 sister ships. While wearing his uniform, Mike has spoken at numerous elementary and high schools to inspire our youth. At the end of the past 20 years Mike's company, P & M Aircraft Co. Inc. continues to lease acreage. P&M continues to offer employment opportunities for students from AV College and offers experience and spare income for Edwards Air Force Base service personnel. His company has employed as many as 60 full and partime employees and has maintained as few as 3 employees over the past 20 years. (P.S... Many other tasks with some celebrity attached include Elvis Presley's Convair which we repaired and ferried to Memphis and assembled in town next to Graceland. Our feature films include, TWISTER, EXECUTIVE DECISION, U.S.MARSHALS, ERASER, PUSHING TIN, AIR FORCE ONE. During the height of world-wide concern over apartheid, Mike formed an airline in Ciskei, one of the 7 homelands for natives. Mike inspects and recommends private airliners to transport ELTON JOHN, NEIL DIAMOND and THE CHICAGO BULLS.)