CAE Arlington

We are proud to spotlight Julia Drummond, CAE Software Engineering Manager in Arlington, TX who holds the honor of being the first woman to graduate with a Software Engineering degree from the Computer Science Engineering (CSE) department at The University of Texas at Arlington, (Alum BS of Software Engineering - 2003).

CAE is privileged to have a highly skilled workforce and we love sharing their successes. In this spotlight, Julia, who has 18 years of service at CAE, answers our questions about CAE’s work life and culture and about her most memorable accomplishments and advice for our future engineers.

What aspects of your job at CAE are the most fulfilling?
The best part of my job is the people that I'm able to work with and my ability to make an impact. Whether it is working with a Customer or with a CAE Coworker, it is so important that we work with the mantra of "What we do matters!". Opening yourself up to be impacted and choosing to work to impact others on a positive basis, makes it all worthwhile. If we are building a trainer to help a Warfighter to get home safely or if we are running a program effectively and efficiently to make sure our employees can have a strong work/life balance … we can choose to make an impact every day. The range of that impact can be endless!

How would you describe CAE’s work life and culture?
One word FAMILY! Our culture has a long and proud history in the flight simulation business. We invented the flight simulator! And with that comes a long history of tenure of employees and sometimes that tenure has been generational. It has evolved into a place where we have one of the strongest team environments I've ever come upon. We are a team, and we support each other, so much so that we have become a family. The people at the company aren't just my coworkers, they are my chosen work family!

Could you share an accomplishment in your career at CAE?
There came a time in my career when I knew that I was going to have to rebrand my own personal identity at work. People were calling me to do a lot of soft skills, but they weren't calling me to do the hard execution of programs that I wanted to be known for. So, I sat myself down and made a list of what I wanted to be known for when my name came up. And then, I asked my manager to put me on a program that was on fire and was critical to the company. I went about diagnosing all the problems, came up with solutions, and used my weekly interface with engineering leadership as a mentorship moment. Sometimes you have to be willing to walk through a fire to grow in leaps in your career, and that was my moment. I turned that program around in a very short amount of time and was able to take us into final testing with a solid stable product. That first big success gave me the solid set of tools to keep taking on bigger and harder challenges, which in turn helped me grow in my career but also into a more confident person.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in engineering?
Julia has been able to develop and grow the skills needed to continuously grow in her field. As she explains, “Some of these skills have been learned through experience and some I have modeled by emulating others. Skills such as building networks of friends and colleagues, the organizational skills that I've used to execute programs, and the opportunities to grow a team and therefore also build my leadership skills in the process. Not all have been successes but it’s most important that you make everything you learn a lesson learned and adapt as needed.”

Julia’s advice…
The biggest skills you will need to grow in your career are networking and controlling your personal brand. Networking is just being able to create relationships and help people in a positive way. In terms of personal branding, you control the perception that others have of you, and it will be your job and no one else's job to make sure that people understand what your skills are and what type of person you are. Someone very wise once said to me, "No one is going to think of you for a position if they don't know who you are and what you do." And that is very true, those two things drive more than 70% of the success you will have in your career. The rest is all hard work and the ability to adapt.

Julia recently returned to The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) to speak to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) about her career experience and share information about CAE’s engineering capabilities and career opportunities.

Are you interested in joining CAE’s team in Arlington, TX? Contact Amanda Haddadin - [email protected]

In the bustling world of CAE, one leader who stands out for her unwavering dedication and remarkable career journey is Susan Gehrig, Senior Director, CAE USA Operations in Arlington, TX.

Say hello to Susan Kocurek, the Vice President of CAE USA Operations. With an unwavering dedication and remarkable career spanning 24 years, Susan has significantly contributed to the company’s success. Her journey is a true testament to how one door opening can lead to a lifetime of opportunities and growth.

Susan’s inspiring story begins in 2001, when she joined the CAE team outside of Tinker AFB in Oklahoma to support the E6 program. As Susan quickly demonstrated her ability to lead and manage complex projects, the Program Manager for the C40 and C9 programs asked her to join his team as Business Manager. It was in this period; Susan built the first SharePoint program site to support the government. Her keen eye for detail and passion for innovation quickly caught the attention of the IT Director in Arlington, TX.  Impressed by her ingenuity and innovation, the senior leaders in Arlington discussed opportunities for Susan and then offered her a role to move to Arlington, TX which marked the beginning of a new chapter.

For the next six years, Susan would work in the Contracts department, automating processes and transitioning from paper to online systems. During this time, the Vice President of Operations recognized her ability to drive change and invited her to join the IT department as Manager of IT Business Automation & SharePoint Environment. There, Susan managed business system development, established an IT  gate process, and created the company's first intranet with her team. Her leadership and vision transformed the way CAE operated.

“At CAE, we believe in leveraging the knowledge and skills of our team members to help them identify new opportunities and pathways for success across the company,” says Susan Gehrig.

Susan praises her transformative journey through the Contracts Leadership Program. Under the mentorship of the VP of Contracts, she received a pivotal recommendation that reshaped her career. He advised her to gain a comprehensive understanding of the business by exploring various roles across departments. This approach, he believed, would enhance her ability to collaborate cross-functionally and develop well-rounded solutions. Recognizing Susan's talent for problem-solving and team collaboration, he encouraged her to pursue diverse roles.

Susan’s journey, with the support of senior leaders, successfully transitioned through Contracts, IT, HR, and Operations, each transition marked by her commitment to improvement and collaboration. In Human Resources, Susan automated processes and helped create an HROPS team.

In 2025, Susan stepped into her current role as Vice President. Susan’s diverse experience across departments made her the perfect candidate to oversee CAE USA defense and operations. Recognized for her ability to communicate and encourage collaboration with different teams she is instrumental in driving improvements, efficiency, and cost savings.

“CAE has always afforded opportunity. If you want to do or be something, you will be supported,” says Susan Gehrig.

So, what has kept Susan at CAE for over two decades? It is her belief in the internal opportunities and the company’s commitment to growth and development. “With curiosity and drive, anyone can make a difference at CAE, it is most fulfilling,” says Susan.

Susan currently oversees the Operations side of the organization, which encompasses, Facilities, Material Management/Material Planning, EH&S, Governance, Quality, Configuration Data Management, Quality Management System, Operational Excellence, Flight Safety, Subcontract Program Management, Continuous Improvement, and Supply Operations. As a female leader, she draws strength from empowering others. Her greatest reward is seeing individuals rise and succeed. “When you show people that they are worth it and give people the tools to succeed, that empowers me. When I retire, I would like my legacy to instill in everyone, that you can do it too,” says Susan.

Looking to the future, Susan aspires to continue helping teams focus on challenges that enhance employee engagement and positively impact the company. She values CAE's culture of collaboration and quality work, which creates a supportive and high-performing environment. “Partnering with other teammates across the business and making consistent improvements. Also, finding opportunities to brainstorm together, working towards a common goal, having a community, and the overall business itself. It is always the opportunity to enhance something. I have always liked change,” says Susan.

Susan embodies the qualities and characteristics that have paved the way for her success as a female leader. She advises aspiring leaders to observe and learn from those who demonstrate integrity, clear communication, accountability, and vision. Susan encourages them to connect with admired leaders, asking insightful questions, and understanding what they value most for their employees and the business.

In addition to her daily responsibilities, Susan enjoys participating in CAE’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and volunteering at CAE’s events whenever she can. She values the importance of giving back to local communities while also having fun and connecting with colleagues.

“By coming together with colleagues to support our local communities, we can achieve anything we set our minds to and positively impact the lives within those communities,” says Susan Gehrig.

Outside the office, Susan's adventurous and collaborative spirit shines through and she loves to unwind by riding her dual sport motorcycle, honing her skills in air rifle marksmanship matches, and enjoying a friendly game of pickleball with friends.

For those considering a career at CAE, Susan offers this advice: If you are looking to make a difference, CAE USA is the place for you. Whether supporting warfighters or driving grassroots improvements, the organization values employees who contribute to positive change.

We are grateful for Susan’s years of dedication to CAE. Susan's story is one of empowerment, dedication, and continuous improvement and a testament to the opportunities and supportive culture at CAE, where anyone can thrive and make a lasting impact.

CAE is dedicated to fostering the growth of its employees eager to advance their careers. Through a variety of advancement programs and learning tools, the organization equips and empowers its workforce with the skills needed to succeed. With robust support from both colleagues and leaders, employees are empowered to thrive and achieve success.

As we enter 2026 with a renewed focus on people, culture, and community impact, we are proud to introduce Gregory Stinyard, PhD, whose journey reflects CAE’s mission-driven values. Guided by empathy, operational insight, and a belief in the potential of every individual, Gregory helps ensure CAE remains a place where purpose, people, and performance come together.

Today, as a Business Strategic Partner and HR Site Lead for CAE USA – Defense & Security in Arlington, Texas, Gregory brings the discipline, trust, and mission-focus shaped by more than 20 years of a US Army career to CAE’s front lines: enabling leaders, empowering teams, and aligning people strategy with operational excellence.

“The Army instilled in me the belief that clarity of purpose, disciplined execution, and trust are essential to any successful organization,” says Gregory Stinyard.

A Life of Service—And a Career of Leadership

Gregory joined the U.S. Army with a clear intention: to serve something greater than himself. That commitment evolved into a distinguished career across progressive leadership and human resources roles, with a consistent focus on Soldier and Family Support. He advised senior leaders, developed future leaders, and led diverse teams under pressure—always placing people at the center of mission readiness.

Gregory had the unique experience of serving alongside his wife, including deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Those experiences reinforced that mission accomplishment and family commitment are not competing priorities – they must work hand in hand, even in the most demanding environments,”  says Gregory Stinyard.

In those defining moments of responsibility, his leadership philosophy crystallized:

• Leaders move first and sleep last.
• Put people before position.
• Listen before directing; remove barriers before assigning tasks.
• Ensure every voice is heard and considered.

These principles were operational, not aspirational. Gregory routinely took the most difficult shifts so others could rest and remained fully committed to family while serving in uniform. The discipline and people first mindset continue to shape how he leads today.

Building Leadership for a New Kind of Mission

Transitioning from military to civilian leadership required Gregory to translate deeply ingrained leadership standards into environments where leadership readiness varies widely. In the military, leaders are trained extensively before assuming responsibility; in civilian organizations, readiness is often assumed.

To bridge that gap, Gregory invested deeply in his development, earning a PhD in Management and Organizational Leadership, a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, an MBA, and advanced strategy training, creating a rare blend of practical leadership judgment and evidence-based insight.

Gregory’s advice to veterans joining CAE, “Bring your full experience forward, but translate it into impact, not rank.”

At CAE, this perspective informs how Gregory supports leaders navigating complexity, ambiguity, and change— helping them lead with humility, clarity, and accountability while strengthening trust and execution.

Mission to Connect: Veterans, Leaders, and the Community

Gregory’s next mission is both personal and strategic: strengthening a connected veteran ecosystem in Arlington, Texas, grounded in leadership, proximity, and trust.

The military teaches us to be ambassadors when we are in different countries. As I go to communities, I am an ambassador for CAE,” says Gregory Stinyard.

Veterans bring discipline, communication, attention to detail, and a mission-first mindset—critical assets in high-consequence environments. But successful veteran hiring and integration requires more than intent; it requires connection.

Gregory’s outreach blends formal and informal engagement, from nonprofit partnerships and job fairs to everyday community interactions. Wherever he goes, he represents CAE’s values with the quiet confidence of a leader who understands the mission and trusts the team.

“You can’t understand a veteran by reading about them. You understand through proximity—listening, mentoring, and working together.” says Gregory Stinyard.

A Family Led by Mission

Gregory’s leadership story is inseparable from his family’s story—shared service, shared sacrifice, and a belief that mission success is never a solo act. That perspective shapes how he honors the whole person and prepares leaders to do the same.

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, Gregory’s focus is clear: develop leaders, strengthen veteran pathways, and build people strategies that directly enable performance and mission readiness. It is a mission fully aligned with CAE’s purpose—and one he will continue to lead with the same principle that has guided every chapter of his career:

People first. Purpose always.

We extend our sincere thanks to Gregory and his wife for their distinguished U.S. Army service. Gregory’s leadership, integrity, and people‑first mindset continue to strengthen our culture and mission. We are grateful for the impact he makes—and for the many ways he will continue to help CAE grow and lead with purpose.