In 2018, AVIAN officially became a 49% employee-owned company. This act was vital, as it strengthened the appreciation of shared ownership, which has been a core value since the beginning of the company in 2005.
In honor of Employee-Ownership Month we are highlighting several AVIAN employee owners and their experience working in an employee-owned company.
We are honored to introduce (ret.) U.S. Navy Senior Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate, Aaron Sly a recent hire who has been onboard with AVIAN as a Program Analyst since August 2025.
Prior to joining AVIAN, Aaron served in the U.S Navy as an Aviation Electrician focusing on EP-3/P-3C. After serving 20 years, he transitioned to the Recruitment Training Command and later supported the Blue Angels.
For the Blue Angels, Aaron supervised the Quality Assurance Division and oversaw the coordination of several operations, including the execution of 63 flight demonstrations across 32 nationwide airfields annually.
In 2022, he came to St. Mary's County, Maryland, to work for Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) as a Senior Maintenance Manager. After working a few years around the Patuxent River area, the ideal opportunity arose for Aaron to pursue, which was AVIAN.
“When working at my last job, I made the decision that there was one program I wanted to be on, and one company I wanted to work for,” Aaron said. If those two opportunities arose, then I would leave to go pursue them. That program was Unmanned Carrier Aviation, and the company was AVIAN.”
At AVIAN, Aaron supports the Unmanned Carrier Aviation program office (PMA-268) and the MQ-25 Stingray aircraft as part of the program Naval Test Wing Atlantic team. He is responsible for analyzing data, implementing the safety-of-flight tests, conducting quality assurance inspections, and maintaining material functions.
Since Aaron is a recent hire, he mentioned that something that attracted him to AVIAN was a personal touch that other companies lack.
That personal touch is rooted in several aspects, AVIAN’s culture of care, while also employee-ownership.
According to Aaron, employee ownership impacts him in two ways: his voice has meaning, and it serves as an extra point of motivation.
“If the company does well, then it also benefits me as an individual,” Aaron said. “That motivates me to think of areas where I can better improve myself. Overall, I want the company to do well, I'm invested in it, and I am an employee-owner."
Aaron’s last job was at a larger company, and he discussed a stark difference between that company and AVIAN.
When he onboarded with the other company, he was given a PowerPoint as an introduction that lacked a personal touch and, overall, he felt he was treated like a number.
Here at AVIAN, since the day he talked with Mel Gilpin-Ball, AVIAN’s Recruiter, he felt like he belonged. With AVIAN’s onboarding, he noticed it was interactive, welcoming, and engaging multiple people in the office. AVIAN employees were quick to help provide resources so he could start working towards the program’s mission.
"Everyone here is great, I feel as if I have been taken care of since my first day,” Aaron said. “They are highly responsive to needs, and every day I feel like I matter, and I’m treated like I am a person, and not a number."
For AVIAN, employee-ownership isn’t about staying with the company to earn your spot. Employees become employee-owners on the first day they start with us. Even though Aaron is a recent hire, he mentioned that employee ownership encourages him to feel that he is in the right place and is excited that AVIAN is invested in his future and growth.
Aaron mentioned that not only does he enjoy working for AVIAN, but his children love that he works for us, too. The reason? A healthy work-life balance.
He appreciates the work-life balance at AVIAN, which allows him to be present in his children’s lives. He also values the family-friendly events AVIAN hosts so he can include those who are important in his life. Recently, Aaron and his family enjoyed the Summer Mid-Atlantic Picnic at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game together.
Aaron’s family includes his wife, Kassie of 13 years, his 8-year-old son, Logan, and his 6-year-old daughter, Kendall. In his free time Aaron is an avid wood-worker. Often creating wood gifts for military retirements such as a flagpole and an award shadow box.
We are grateful for all our employee-owners, as we could not truly embody the AVIAN Way without them. Thank you, Aaron, for joining AVIAN and fostering the employee mindset since day one!
