322: Working with Experts in Aerospace and Defense with Brad Gentry

  Welcome to another great episode of Startup Junkies!   On this episode, hosts Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, and Victoria Dickerson sit down with Brad Gentry, the CEO of Gentry Professional Services, an elite engineering consulting and talent acquisition firm that specializes in placing subject matter experts with clients that require specific knowledge. With over a decade of experience, Brad is experienced and skilled in engineering design, project management, and business development. Throughout the episode, Caleb, Jeff, Victoria, and Brad discuss preparing the next generation of labor workers and how a company’s culture is vital to success.   Show Notes: (1:12) Introduction to Brad (1:26) About Gentry Professional Services (5:34) Challenges with the Labor Market (8:06) Encouraging Employee Retention (11:02) Navigating the CHIPS Act (13:36) Technologies' Role in Supplementing Labor (19:23) Gentry Professional Services Culture (28:08) The Future of Gentry Professional Services (32:02) Advice to Younger Self (34:36) Closing Questions   Links: Caleb Talley Jeff Amerine Victoria Dickerson Brad Gentry Gentry Professional Services   Quotes: “The way that manifests itself today is when someone retires they may have someone who is two or three steps behind them in experience. So that generational gap has followed us as people have progressed through their careers.” - Brad Gentry, (4:37)   “We go through a vetting process of not just checking references, but also behavioral assessments because somebody can be the smartest person in the room but if they can’t work with others then it’s not going to be a good fit. So we do several things to assess not only their knowledge and skills, but also how well they interact with the team they’re going to be supporting.” - Brad Gentry, (16:15)   “We work hourly and that fits with retirees greatly…They’re coming back because they want to. So we want to make it a good experience for them and treat them like family. We found that if you let them have that autonomy, flexibility, and respect to work on what they want to, they will in turn represent you well to the clients.” - Brad Gentry, (25:04)