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Esselman tells the State Aviation Journal that he has always\nwanted the AAE certification since his time working for the Aircraft Owners and\nPilots Association (AOPA). He wasn’t eligible then but started studying the\nmodules and started serving on the airport authority in Martinsburg, WV at the\ntime. \u201cAfter coming to Utah, I set a goal to take the CM test within a year,\u201d\nsaid Esselman. \u201cI then set my eyes on the AAE.\u201d One of the silver linings of\nCOVID was the opportunity to study more, and Esselman took advantage of that. \u201cI\nstarted practicing by role-playing myself as a city councilperson asking\nquestions and then I would have to answer them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the state Aeronautics Director and airport manager for\nUtah\u2019s one state-owned airport, the AAE certification adds the value of\ncredibility and a common language with all of Utah\u2019s airport managers. \u201cThey\nknow I understand them, and they see that I have put in the effort to\nunderstand what their jobs are and what they have to deal with every day,\u201d said\nEsselman. \u201cThat helps me get them what they need to make their airports better,\nwhich makes our state better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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With a solid footing in state aviation and the recent accreditation,\nan obvious question to ask is, why run for a political office. \u201cGod gave me a\ntalent in public policy, and I want to use that talent to serve,\u201d said Esselman.\n\u201cSome people sing, some people hit baseballs – the talent I was given is\nunderstanding public policy and government processes – I can use that to serve\nmy community.\u201d Esselman noted that he enjoys his career as a public servant and\nfinds public service very fulfilling. \u201cI’ve served my country; I’ve served at\nthe federal and state level of government, and this election cycle provides the\nopportunity to serve in a more local capacity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Esselman truly believes he can be successful dividing his\ntime between politics, aviation and his family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe all only have twenty-four hours in a day, but if you\nput God first, everything else seems to fall into place,\u201d said Esselman, who\nrecognizes that time management is tricky, especially when our attention is\nsuch a high-value commodity these days. \u201cIt does take discipline to get into a\ntime routine,\u201d noted Esselman, but argues that once you put in the work and get\nthere, you find yourself looking at the clock and thinking, \u201coh, it’s only 2\np.m., and we’ve got lots of time left today – we can get more done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Aeronautics is a 24\/7 function as aircraft fly 24\/7. If elected\nas Herriman Mayor, that will be a 24\/7 function since people require services\n24\/7 and emergencies can happen at any time. And, for Esselman, being a husband\nand father is a 24\/7 function. \u201cIt takes personal discipline, organizational\nleadership, and appropriate delegation to be effective in all three,\u201d said\nEsselman. \u201cAnd let’s give credit where credit is due; if I wasn’t surrounded by\ntalented, motivated, and supportive staff, family and neighbors, none of it\nwould work. It’s all about the people around you and the people you serve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Esselman displays a lot of energy and drive, but there is something that keeps him going. \u201cHappiness and gratitude.\u201d He wakes up at 4:55am and thinks it’s going to be an amazing day. He knows that people everywhere are facing economic, political, and personal struggles, but when he focuses on the moment and stays in the moment, he realizes what the reality of the moment is; \u201cI’m excited to work in aviation, and I’m excited to work with great people and make friends, and I’m excited to make the world a better place, if only in my small corner of it.\u201d Esselman says It makes all the difference in his day, if he can help one person who is frustrated, and they leave his office smiling. \u201cThen that day is a win.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n