Lt. Col. Jon “Huggy” Huggins, the new Executive Director of CJP, spoke about his goal of developing the association into a “Citation Operations Center of Excellence” during his first opportunity to personally address the CJP membership at the 2014 CJP Convention. That process will require not only his involvement and commitment, Huggins added, but also a dedicated and focused effort from the CJP membership.

“Here at the Greenbrier, I am surrounded by the epitome of the professional pilot: the Citation Jet Pilot,” Huggins stated prior to the association’s annual meeting. “To fly these jets requires characteristics like commitment, professionalism and aggressiveness. To be willing to step up and take command of an advanced technological marvel able to move us around the planet with amazing speed and efficiency. It takes one more characteristic, too: passion. Passion for flight, and passion for what your aircraft does for you, your business, and your life.

“Let me participate in your aviation life,” Huggins added. “Communicate. Let me fly with you, and let us enjoy the Citation flying experience together.”

Huggins joined the CJP leadership team this summer, following a 29-year military career in the U.S. Air Force as an instructor/evaluator pilot on the Lockheed U-2, Northrop T-38 Talon, and King Air 350ER. For the past 12 years, Huggins served as Chief Pilot of the U-2 training squadron and as Director of Recruiting & Acceptance. He also served as a Boeing 727 Flight Engineer and Line Check Airman for United Airlines.

In his speech, Huggins also promised attendees that, by January, he will have spoken to each CJP member personally in order to gauge their thoughts and ideas to further the association’s educational and outreach programs.

“I will have the audacity to incorporate new and untried ideas, ideas borne of conversations with you,” he said. “I will do everything I can to maximize your Citation ownership and flying experience, and to work hard to bring you even more value to your membership. But, I need you to step forward and offer your time and talents. If you have an idea, let’s talk about it!”

Huggins also encouraged members to become more active participants in the organization, including by volunteering to serve on the CJP Board of Directors.

“CJP needs you to become involved in taking the association to the next level,” he concluded. “We aren’t measuring ourselves against somebody else or another group; we’re measuring ourselves against our own potential. Achieving that potential is my goal.”