Embry-Riddle and SHRM Help Navy Veteran Make Smooth Transition to The Boeing Co.

For JJ Everett (’22), the journey to a leadership role at The Boeing Company is a testament to the power of combining agility and adaptability with a degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus.

As JJ earned his B.S. in Aeronautics after a 24-year career in the Navy, he also added a minor in human resources and connected with Embry-Riddle’s chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

“Embry-Riddle provided the technical expertise, while SHRM strengthened my ability to connect with people,” JJ said.

Those two experiences, combined with his Navy career, set him on course to his current role as a Senior Instructional System Designer at Boeing.

Making the most of life on the move

Born in Great Falls, Montana, JJ was destined to live a nomadic life. His father’s 15-year career in the U.S. Air Force set the stage for a childhood filled with international moves, new cultures and endless adventures.

“We moved to Stuttgart, Germany, then to California, then to Guam, back to Germany, then Arkansas and eventually Texas,” he said.

“As a kid in Guam, I was literally running around in the boonies like a lost boy. It was fantastic,” JJ said. “We would climb trees, throw stuff at the wild boars and catch brown snakes.”

His ability to adapt to and get the most out of new and challenging situations made a huge difference when he joined the Navy after high school.

“For the first five years, I worked as an in-flight technician, maintaining and repairing mission-critical systems on P-3 Orion aircraft,” JJ said.

His expertise and dedication earned him a position as an instructor, a role he held for 15 years, during which he trained countless sailors and also served as an evaluator.

When the Navy retired the P-3 aircraft in 2019, JJ transitioned into a role as a facilitator at the Leadership and Ethics Center, where he taught diversity, equity and inclusion, and behavioral decision-making to sailors of all ranks.

“We had some incredible conversations that helped break down barriers of bias,” he said, reflecting on the impact of fostering open dialogue and mutual understanding within the Navy’s ranks.

“I became a Chief [Petty Officer], which was kind of upper management for the enlisted rank, so I had about seven years of experience with management before I went to the leadership and ethics command,” JJ said. “On top of that, I was training and qualifying junior sailors to perform the functions of their jobs. So, it was a prime fit for me.”

The next chapter: Embry-Riddle and an aviation passion

JJ also found a prime fit with the fully online degree program at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. His love for aviation, cultivated during his childhood on Air Force bases, fueled his decision to pursue a degree in aeronautics that would also allow him to grow as a leader.

“I wanted to stay connected to aviation even after I retired,” he said. “Embry-Riddle’s reputation and aviation-focused programs were perfect.”

Despite his initial concerns about online learning, JJ found the university’s format engaging and collaborative, a great way to enhance his growing professional network.

“Through discussion boards and virtual meetings, I built a global network of peers, including some remarkable individuals like Beverly Drake,” JJ said in referring to the renowned Guyanese aviator who is now Program Manager in the Office of Government and Industry Affairs at the National Transportation Safety Board.

This robust network has become an invaluable resource for JJ, helping him broaden his perspective on aviation and leadership.

“The Worldwide Campus allowed me to connect with people from around the world, even during Covid,” he said. “It was amazing.”

Bridging the gap: SHRM and human resources

While pursuing his aeronautics degree, Everett minored in human resources, which introduced him to the Society for Human Resource Management. Dr. Gordon Haley, an assistant professor at Worldwide’s College of Business, encouraged JJ to join, highlighting the value of the organization’s student membership, including a sizable discount.

“For just $50, I gained access to a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities,” JJ said. “It would not have been very intelligent to turn that down.”

His involvement with SHRM enhanced his understanding of human resources principles, sharpened his communication and leadership skills, and helped put a skilled HR professional in his corner.

“Dr. Haley has been wonderful,” JJ said. “He has a doctorate in HR, and he helped me write my resume, which I am sure made a difference when it came to getting the position at Boeing. It also helped that through SHRM and Embry-Riddle, I had a strong network of people who helped me get into this role. SHRM activities and events improved my ability to articulate ideas, hold meaningful conversations and build professional relationships.”

“Joining SHRM as a student is a game-changer,” Dr. Haley said. “JJ was able to benefit because he fully embraced the opportunities SHRM offers — whether it was accessing resources, building his network or developing communication and leadership skills. By leveraging these, along with the guidance and support available through Embry-Riddle, he positioned himself for success in landing a competitive role at Boeing.”

Landing as a leader at Boeing

All that came together when JJ retired from the Navy and leveraged his instructional and leadership expertise to become the lead instructional designer for several major aircraft programs, including the 787 and 777.

JJ believes that the abilities to foster communication and connection he learned from SHRM and his Embry-Riddle have helped drive his success at Boeing.

“Effective communication is often the biggest challenge in any organization. By addressing issues through conversation and collaboration, we can transform workplace culture,” JJ said.

Reflecting on an amazing journey

When asked for advice for aspiring students and professionals considering a degree at Embry-Riddle and membership in SHRM, JJ didn’t hesitate: “Do both. Embry-Riddle gives you aviation knowledge, and SHRM equips you with critical management and interpersonal skills. Together, they’re a powerful combination.”

As he settles into a civilian career he loves, JJ is polishing a simple but profound leadership philosophy he first learned in the Navy that emphasizes training, empowering, connecting and honoring.

“Training gives people knowledge. Empowering them allows them to make decisions. Connecting with them builds trust, and honoring them creates a positive environment,” he said.

He has another message for anyone looking to launch or change a career, rooted in his practical experience through Embry-Riddle and SHRM.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a network of people you can talk to,” JJ said. “Because when you look for a job, it’s important that you know people and have connections and that you can come across well during interviews. To be where I am today with my ability to speak in front of people is thanks to all those who worked with me, influenced me and taught me. So much of what I've done can be attributed to SHRM, Embry-Riddle, and the time I spent with both.”