Welcome to the Powered by People brought to you by Avion Solutions.
Avion Solutions is a 100% employee-owned company known for delivering innovative, high-quality defense technology solutions. From systems engineering and airworthiness to logistics and integrated product support, Avion is dedicated to helping protect the Warfighter.
On this podcast, we’ll introduce you to the people behind Avion through conversations with employee owners, stories of community involvement, company culture, innovation, and much more.
In this episode of Powered by People, Avion Director of Technology Chris Hodges sits down with Alan Hicks, Director of Aviation Technical Services, to explore Avion’s role in Army aviation airworthiness, maintenance engineering, and sustainment.
Alan shares how Avion employee-owners help keep aircraft safe and mission-ready through critical safety parts management, airworthiness assessments, supplier oversight, and maintenance engineering. He also discusses how emerging technologies, condition-based maintenance, and AI are advancing aviation engineering and helping improve fleet readiness.
Tune in to learn how Avion’s technical expertise supports military aviation and helps protect the warfighter.
20 Oct 2026
Episode 8: Avion’s Role in Supporting Army Aviation
In this episode of Powered by People, Avion Solutions Director of Technology Chris Hodges talks with Joe Herman, Director of Aviation Programs, about Avion’s role in Army aviation acquisition management.
Joe shares how Avion employee-owners provide technical, logistics, and programmatic expertise to support aviation programs, help government teams overcome resource challenges, and adapt to evolving acquisition processes.
Tune in to learn how Avion’s expertise advances Army aviation and supports the warfighter.
6 Oct 2026
Episode 7: Inside Avion’s Directed Energy Capabilities
In this episode of Powered by People, Avion Solutions Director of Technology Chris Hodges sits down with Les Daniel, an expert in directed energy and Senior Program Manager at Avion.
Les explains the differences between high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves, and how directed energy weapons differ from traditional kinetic weapons. He also discusses the potential advantages of these systems, from reduced reliance on traditional munitions to faster recharging and sustainment.
The conversation highlights Avion’s role in the directed energy field, including laser safety, airspace and space coordination, test direction, and systems engineering supporting high-energy laser weapon systems.
In this episode of Powered by People, Chris Hodges, Avion’s Director of Technologies, sits down with Anna Norton, Senior Program Manager in the Missiles and Space Division, to explore the critical role of testing in missile and weapon-system development. Anna shares insights from her extensive experience supporting organizations including the Missile Defense Agency, the Army, Space and Missile Command, DARPA, and the Navy.
From test planning, target instrumentation, and range safety to test execution, data reduction, and analysis, their conversation covers Avion’s role across the entire testing lifecycle. Anna also explains the differences between ground and flight testing, the importance of modeling and simulation, and how evolving acquisition timelines are driving teams to plan and execute tests faster while delivering results sooner.
Listen to learn more about the people, processes, and technical expertise behind missile testing and how Avion is helping advance critical defense capabilities.
1 Sept 2026
Episode 5: Avion’s Approach to Strategic Acquisitions
In this episode of Powered by People, Avion Solutions President & CEO Evan Wagner discusses Avion’s approach to strategic acquisitions and how growth can create value and opportunity for employee-owners.
Learn about Avion’s acquisitions of SRA and Tennessee Valley Research Group, what the company looks for when evaluating a potential acquisition, and why capabilities, customers, and culture are all critical to finding the right fit. Evan also shares what happens after an acquisition, from integrating new employees into Avion’s employee-owned culture to ensuring a seamless transition for customers.
Listen to learn more about how acquisitions can mean more capabilities, new customers, expanded career opportunities for employee-owners, and continued growth.
18 Aug 2026
Episode 4: Understanding Avion’s Buy-Sell Window
In this episode of Powered by People, Avion Solutions CFO and Vice President David French and CEO and President Evan Wagner discuss Avion’s unique buy-sell window and how it gives Employee Owners an opportunity to increase their ownership stake.
The conversation covers how the buy-sell window works, using the 401(k) employer match to purchase additional shares, and why employees can benefit from purchasing shares at the previous year’s share price. David and Evan also discuss the importance of transparency in employee ownership, including Avion’s quarterly business updates and opportunities for Employee Owners to better understand the company’s performance, valuation, risks, and opportunities so they can make informed decisions about their ownership.
Listen to learn more about how Avion’s buy-sell window can help Employee Owners accelerate their path to greater ownership.
In this episode of Powered by People, Avion Solutions President & CEO Evan Wagner and Vice President & CFO David French explain how employee ownership translates into long-term financial benefits through ESOP allocations, distributions, and diversification. They discuss how annual share allocations are calculated, what qualifies as compensation for ESOP contributions, and how bonuses, referrals, and other incentives can impact your allocation. This episode provides practical insight into how the ESOP supports every stage of the employee-owner journey and why understanding benefits today can help you maximize value tomorrow.
21 Jul 2026
Episode 2: Company Valuation
In this episode of Powered by People, Avion Solutions President & CEO Evan Wagner and Vice President & CFO David French take a closer look at one of the most important aspects of employee ownership: company valuation.
Learn how Avion's annual independent valuation is conducted, what factors influence the company's value, and why long-term planning plays a critical role in building a strong employee-owned organization. Evan and David also discuss how strategic growth, financial performance, acquisitions, and everyday decisions made by employee-owners contribute to the company's long-term success. This episode provides valuable insight into how ownership and business performance go hand in hand.
6 Jul 2026
Episode 1: Employee Ownership in Action with Avion's CEO & CFO
In the inaugural episode of Powered by People, Avion Solutions President & CEO Evan Wagner and Vice President & CFO David French explore the foundation of Avion's employee-owned culture. They discuss what an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is, why Avion chose the employee ownership model, and how every employee-owner contributes to the company's long-term success.
Whether you're new to ESOPs, considering a career at Avion, or simply curious about how employee ownership creates lasting value, this episode offers an inside look at the culture that drives Avion forward.
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