Young project manager could never have too much on his plate

  • Published
  • By Janaé Daniels
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  John Dotson is not your typical 24-year-old. 

At the age of 16 he started working at the Tullahoma Airport. 

While most of his peers were preparing for their drivers license test, Dotson was preparing for his FAA certification. Dotson, Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) construction projects manager, first remembers his love of aviation blossoming around the age of 12. 

"A guy by the name of Roy Smith really took me under his wing," Dotson said. "He put a burning love of aviation in me." 

When most people thought a guy his age should be flipping burgers or working at various retail stores, Dotson was working his way up the ladder from lineman to platecrew supervisor. Once out of high school, Dotson began working full-time for AEDC as an intern in drafting -- all the while working at the airport part time. 

At 23, and after his mentor Roy Smith passed away, Dotson decided to leave the airport permanently and focus on his job here and furthering his education. 

"Since childhood, I have been fascinated with the mechanics and construction of all types of structures and devices," he explained. "I used to work with my granddad who owned a plumbing and electrical store in Manchester." 

One of his first major jobs out here was replacing the carpet in the Carroll Building and redesigning the Human Resources offices. He has since moved up in the project rankings and recently finished working with the HVAC system in Building 1077. 

Luis Lopez, a designer III for Jacobs Engineering and Dotson's co-worker, says Dotson's idea to be the best drafter on base opened his eyes for more opportunities so began taking classes. 

He is currently attending Middle Tennessee State University and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in construction management in the spring. He hopes to continue his education by joining the civil engineering department at Vanderbilt where he will be pursuing his masters. 

"Vanderbilt has an outstanding civil engineering program," he said. "I interviewed with them Jan. 9 and will hopefully be attending in the fall." 

Leo Benetti-Longhini, senior mechanical engineer with Jacobs Engineering, said Dotson initially showed interest in wind tunnel design and engineering when they first met at the Tullahoma airport in 2001. 

"John has always been proactive in his studies and trying to learn more," he explained. "He understands the link between good academic preparation and a successful technical career." 

As if a full-time job, a full school schedule isn't enough, Dotson also spends his time rebuilding a 1961 Pearson Electra 22 ½ foot sail boat he bought in Chicago last year. 

"When you undertake a project like this you really learn how much you don't know. Working on this boat has been one problem and catastrophe after another, and I wouldn't trade any of it for anything," he said. 

Benetti-Longhini also shares the love of aviation with Dotson.

"John has been and is a volunteer at the annual Sun n' Fun aviation event in Florida several times. He has also been my ground crew for some of my sailplane record distance attempts," he said. "John is a great person to be on long road trips with; there's hardly a dull moment." 

Being in construction not only allows Dotson to 'play in the dirt,' but it also allows him to interact with all kinds of people. 

"I like being around people, I suppose," he said. "It's hard to put your thumb on the pulse of a job when you're sitting behind a computer at a desk."