Growing up in Venice Center, Mary Beth Riley Moran had the good fortune to know with absolute certainty what she wanted to do with her life from a relatively early age.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
From a career in the Air Force, Mary Beth Riley Moran now works for the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation safety inspector working in Rochester. She was recently chosen for the Cambridge Who's Who List, a professional resource used for networking and mentoring purposes that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals that have made a distinct place for themselves in their careers.
From a career in the Air Force, Mary Beth Riley Moran now works for the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation safety inspector working in Rochester. She was recently chosen for the Cambridge Who's Who List, a professional resource used for networking and mentoring purposes that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals that have made a distinct place for themselves in their careers.
A drive and determination has earned Moran a distinct honor.
Moran was recently chosen for the Cambridge Who's Who List, a professional resource used for networking and mentoring purposes that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals that have made a distinct place for themselves in their careers.
For Moran, this career path has taken her from a farm in Venice Center, literally, to all over the world.
It was through her older brother, Mike, that Moran said she found her inspiration
“This is no lie,” Moran said. “When I was 12, I knew what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a Marine, and I still have a deep respect for the marines. My brother had joined, and when he came back from basic training, I saw how it had matured him; it had taken a teenager and turned him into a man. I knew at an early age that was what I wanted to do.#”
Moran said that she held on tight to this idea, and even at the age of 16, while still in high school in Southern Cayuga, she would often visit the Auburn recruiting offices to look at information and talk to recruiters, which only strengthened her resolve to become a Marine.
While Moran said her mind was pretty determined, when it came time for her to make her decision, her brother, again stepped in to provide some inspiration.
“He really was my role model,” Moran said. “He said I should join the Air Force. I really wanted to be a Marine, but he said that I should try the Air Force and maybe become a jet engine mechanic.”
And that is just what she did.
Moran said that she thrived in the competitive environment, an environment that at the time was mostly populated by men.
“I think there were two other women,” Moran recalled. “There were four of us total out of 100 men. They told me in my debriefing it was going to be tough and that I wasn't going to be treated any different. I was going to have to lug the heavy tool boxes and do all the same work the guys were doing.”
And Moran did just that, serving as an engine mechanic for four years.
But after her four years, she craved a new challenge and re-enlisted and re-trained to be a flight engineer.
“I loved it (being a mechanic),” Moran said. “But after a while, I wanted to do something more challenging.”
And Moran would not be disappointed.
As an engineer she found exactly what she was looking for.
“I like to know what makes something work,” Moran said. “And if something goes wrong, I want to know how to fix it. That is what the job is all about. It is unique and far more challenging. There are a lot of unique problems and you have to solve them.”
As a flight engineer, Moran traveled all over the world, working as part of the flight crew in missions such as Just Cause in Panama in 1989 and Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991.
In 1991, Moran became a flight examiner flight engineer, making her the first female to hold such a position in the entire west coast based C-141B Starlifter craft.
“I was in a unique position again,” Moran said. “It was a non-traditional role to be a female engineer and to be a flight examiner. You had to be (thick) skinned, and it helped me to persevere.#8
After 20 years in the Air Force, Moran retired in 1998.
But before she retired, Moran earned many impressive recognitions for her service and hard work, such as the Good Conduct Medal, Longevity Medal, Desert Shield/Desert Storm Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, AF Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Expeditionary Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership Award, 4th Airlift Squadron and the Pittensberger Award for an act of heroism to assist in evacuating hotel guests from a fire in Kuwait.
Since her retirement, Moran said she has stayed active in the American Legion.
“I was proud to serve my country,” Moran said. “I really enjoyed what I got the opportunity to do, and I loved the challenge of it.”
Moran began work in the private sector as an instructor and in maintenance before taking her present position with the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation safety inspector working in Rochester. This position involves traveling to various regional airports to ensure that airlines are in compliance with FAA guidelines.
She became interested in the Cambridge Who's Who as a means to reach other young women who have an interest in taking careers in the aviation field. In addition, through her connections in the military as well as the private sector she hopes to reach others that are interested in the field and help them be aware of the possibilities that are out there.
Moran was one of 20 people chosen to be included in this year's list.
“It is a real honor,” she said. “I joined two years ago because I thought it would be a good way to network and be a mentor with my experiences to students in high school and college that might be thinking of a career in aviation. I think I can help show them how far you can go. I'm a girl that grew up on a farm and this helped take me so far. I want to be able to help others accomplish that.”
Moran was recently chosen for the Cambridge Who's Who List, a professional resource used for networking and mentoring purposes that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals that have made a distinct place for themselves in their careers.
For Moran, this career path has taken her from a farm in Venice Center, literally, to all over the world.
It was through her older brother, Mike, that Moran said she found her inspiration
“This is no lie,” Moran said. “When I was 12, I knew what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a Marine, and I still have a deep respect for the marines. My brother had joined, and when he came back from basic training, I saw how it had matured him; it had taken a teenager and turned him into a man. I knew at an early age that was what I wanted to do.#”
Moran said that she held on tight to this idea, and even at the age of 16, while still in high school in Southern Cayuga, she would often visit the Auburn recruiting offices to look at information and talk to recruiters, which only strengthened her resolve to become a Marine.
While Moran said her mind was pretty determined, when it came time for her to make her decision, her brother, again stepped in to provide some inspiration.
“He really was my role model,” Moran said. “He said I should join the Air Force. I really wanted to be a Marine, but he said that I should try the Air Force and maybe become a jet engine mechanic.”
And that is just what she did.
Moran said that she thrived in the competitive environment, an environment that at the time was mostly populated by men.
“I think there were two other women,” Moran recalled. “There were four of us total out of 100 men. They told me in my debriefing it was going to be tough and that I wasn't going to be treated any different. I was going to have to lug the heavy tool boxes and do all the same work the guys were doing.”
And Moran did just that, serving as an engine mechanic for four years.
But after her four years, she craved a new challenge and re-enlisted and re-trained to be a flight engineer.
“I loved it (being a mechanic),” Moran said. “But after a while, I wanted to do something more challenging.”
And Moran would not be disappointed.
As an engineer she found exactly what she was looking for.
“I like to know what makes something work,” Moran said. “And if something goes wrong, I want to know how to fix it. That is what the job is all about. It is unique and far more challenging. There are a lot of unique problems and you have to solve them.”
As a flight engineer, Moran traveled all over the world, working as part of the flight crew in missions such as Just Cause in Panama in 1989 and Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991.
In 1991, Moran became a flight examiner flight engineer, making her the first female to hold such a position in the entire west coast based C-141B Starlifter craft.
“I was in a unique position again,” Moran said. “It was a non-traditional role to be a female engineer and to be a flight examiner. You had to be (thick) skinned, and it helped me to persevere.#8
After 20 years in the Air Force, Moran retired in 1998.
But before she retired, Moran earned many impressive recognitions for her service and hard work, such as the Good Conduct Medal, Longevity Medal, Desert Shield/Desert Storm Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, AF Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Expeditionary Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership Award, 4th Airlift Squadron and the Pittensberger Award for an act of heroism to assist in evacuating hotel guests from a fire in Kuwait.
Since her retirement, Moran said she has stayed active in the American Legion.
“I was proud to serve my country,” Moran said. “I really enjoyed what I got the opportunity to do, and I loved the challenge of it.”
Moran began work in the private sector as an instructor and in maintenance before taking her present position with the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation safety inspector working in Rochester. This position involves traveling to various regional airports to ensure that airlines are in compliance with FAA guidelines.
She became interested in the Cambridge Who's Who as a means to reach other young women who have an interest in taking careers in the aviation field. In addition, through her connections in the military as well as the private sector she hopes to reach others that are interested in the field and help them be aware of the possibilities that are out there.
Moran was one of 20 people chosen to be included in this year's list.
“It is a real honor,” she said. “I joined two years ago because I thought it would be a good way to network and be a mentor with my experiences to students in high school and college that might be thinking of a career in aviation. I think I can help show them how far you can go. I'm a girl that grew up on a farm and this helped take me so far. I want to be able to help others accomplish that.”
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busterhman wrote on Oct 13, 2008 3:09 AM:
SMSgt James R. Owens, USAF
NCOIC/ICW Joint Base Balad, Iraq
james.owens@blab.afcent.af.mil "