Mod Works service center hit hard by Charley, aircraft destroyed, 39 workers left jobless and homeless

Mod Works, Inc., Mooney authorized service center, located at Charlotte County Airport (PGD) in Punta Gorda (FL) suffered severe damage when Hurricane Charley blasted its 175+ mph winds and rain into central Florida on Friday, August 13.  The Mod Works facility was virtually destroyed, 22 Mooney airplanes housed at the facility suffered damage ranging from severe to total loss, while their 39 employees lost their homes and jobs.  In an effort to help, Mooney Airplane Company has offered Mod Works' employees jobs and homes away from home.

On Friday, August 20, Todd Bates, director of service center relations for Mooney, flew to Punta Gorda to survey the damage at Mod Works, evaluate needs for repair parts and offer employees jobs at the Mooney manufacturing facility in Kerrville (TX).  Bates was able to meet with and offer employment to ten Mod Works' employees.

"We are happy to help any members of the Mooney family," said Bates. "These are good people going through a very tough time.  If we can take the financial burden off of them, hopefully, they can focus on getting their lives back on track."

Mod Works employees -- including painters, mechanics, and parts purchasing people -- were offered a complete package, including room and board, and round-trip transportation from Kerrville to Punta Gorda every three weeks to see their families.

One worker, packing for Texas, noted, "There's no place like home, but it is good to know we have 'family' in Kerrville, too." Four Mod Works employees have already accepted the Mooney offer to date; others have their decisions pending, as they deal with insurance and family logistics.

"On August 13, Hurricane Charley wreaked havoc within the State of Florida, and our friends and colleagues in Punta Gorda suffered tremendous losses," said David Copeland, vice president sales and marketing for Mooney.  "Some are now faced with the enormous task of starting over.  From all of us at Mooney Airplane Company, our hearts go out to these special people. We are sending positive thoughts their way during this difficult time of transition, while doing what we can to help."

FMI: www.mooney.com, www.modworks.com