Path to success

Hard work, determination pay off for Bell inspector

Jeannette Gibbs' path to the V-22 Osprey assembly line has been paved with hard work and a dash of sacrifice.

Gibbs, once a single parent, didn't graduate from high school and obtained her general equivalency diploma before joining the work force.

She took a corrections officer position at the Nat Neal Unit in Amarillo and worked at the prison for nine years before embarking on a different career path.

Gibbs laid the groundwork for her Bell Helicopter career by taking classes at Amarillo College. There was lots of studying and sometimes leftovers at dinnertime.

Her course work covered all the basics of aircraft work: reading blueprints, safety, riveting, assembly and repairing composite materials used in modern fighting machines.

A couple of years ago, Gibbs' hard work paid off, and she landed a job at Bell. She's worked on everything from Hueys to Ospreys. Now, she's a quality inspector, ensuring that detailed work on Ospreys meets rigid government specifications before the aircraft are shipped out.

"We're the last set of eyes before we introduce our ship to the government," she said. "I get to work with great people. We have a good team."

Gibbs closely examines Ospreys and occasionally has to point out a minor detail an aircraft technician might have overlooked.

"I also like it that I have had experience in different areas, so I have that knowledge," she said. "There are steps. We get to inspect from the beginning all the way until it's completed."

Gibbs noted that when she spots an issue on the assembly line, she likes to emphasize that the work is a team effort.

"There's always a learning curve out there. With my experience, I am able to share that with another employee," she said.

Gibbs' supervisor, Jeff Hendrickson, said the experience Gibbs learned as a corrections officer, at Amarillo College and elsewhere, made her a great fit for an inspector's job.

He also praised AC's learning partnership with Bell and said AC classes give Bell employees the tools they will need to work on modern tilt-rotor technology.

"It gives them the basic knowledge of aircraft, aviation, the different components that put together builds an aircraft," Hendrickson said.

Looking back, Gibbs said the time she spent studying and learning has been a big boost for her career.

"It's worth it. That sacrifice might be for nine months or however long the school is now, but it will be worth it," she said.

"We're building a new technology. I'm just proud to say that me being an Amarilloan, I'm glad that Bell is here where it can provide jobs, help the community and help the nation.

"We're helping the nation, our troops overseas."