Southern Avionics' Greer Named AEA'S Member Of The Year

Tom Greer of Southern Avionics in Mobile, AL, was honored during the Annual Awards Luncheon at the 48th Annual Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Convention and Trade Show in Dallas, as AEA's Member of the Year.

Greer joins a prestigious list of winners, as the association has presented the award to one (or sometimes two) of its members every year for over 30 years. Honorees are nominated and voted on by fellow members.

At a young age, Greer developed a love of airplanes and everything about them. He earned his pilot's license when he was 19 years old. After graduating from high school in Mobile in 1973, he went to Southwest College, also in Mobile, where he graduated with an electronics degree. After graduation he went to work for AEA member, Monroeville Aviation, owned by Andy Harhai. He then worked for Beacon Radio in Mobile at Bates Field.

In November of 1982, Greer, along with colleague, Terry Weaver and two other partners, bought Beacon Radio and changed the name to Southern Avionics & Communications. A few years later, he and Weaver bought out the two other partners and, in 1994, moved the business to Brookley Field in Mobile. Greer bought Weaver's share in 1997 and now is sole owner.

Today, Southern Avionics has 23 full-time employees offering avionics sales, service and retrofit. Recently, Southern Avionics formed a partnership with Star Aviation and the new division is called Southern Star, and provides RVSM solutions for various aircraft, including the Cessna Citation 500/560 series.

Voted on by his association member peers for this award, perhaps a quote he made a few years ago, best sums up the type of person he is: "I'm not this company," he said, "I'm the leader of a great group of people I've gathered to focus on quality."

EDMO: AEA Associate Member Of The Year

EDMO Distributors was honored today during the Annual Awards Luncheon at the 48th Annual Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) Convention and Trade Show in Dallas, Texas as AEA's Associate Member of the Year.

Winners of this prestigious award are chosen by AEA's regular members -- the dealers and shops who sell, install and service their products.

EDMO is a worldwide wholesale distributor of aircraft avionics, test equipment, aviation toys and gifts, installation supplies and pilot supplies.

Founded in 1971 by Ed Lansberg and Morris Brown, the company name was derived by using the first two letters of their first names -- ED-MO. EDMO's first and oldest product line is the IFR line of test equipment. EDMO has been their No. 1 distributor for several years.

In 1982, Lansberg and Bob Kimmerly formed a new company, EDMO Distributors, which is the EDMO of today. By the end of 2004, EDMO -- having moved into a new, larger facility in Spokane -- has doubled their annual sales volume since their move from California in the early '90s.

EDMO has been an active participant in the activities of the Association—sponsoring scholarships, exhibiting at all AEA conventions and regional meetings, and sponsoring convention items.

FMI: www.aea.net