Q&A with Christie Martin-Gray

Christie Martin-Gray, former Brand Director, Jetcraft
Location: Raleigh, NC, USA

How long have you been at Jetcraft?

My sister Lucy Castle, Jetcraft’s Administrative Director, first introduced me to Jetcraft in 2006. I worked with Jetcraft on an as-needed basis until joining the team fulltime in April 2010 as Marketing Director.

What are your responsibilities within the global Jetcraft team?

My role changed this year to Brand Director, and my primary responsibility is to support the VP of Marketing with planning and executing our corporate branding and paid media strategies. This includes keeping a close eye on accuracy, consistency, clarity and relevance as it relates to our brand to ensure a strong connection with our customers.

Describe a typical day or week in your role.

Priorities can shift quickly, so I start and end each day with a few minutes of assessing priorities and planning. I spend most of my time developing and maintaining brand assets, brand advertising, and some of the sales tools and integrated retail campaigns. Ensuring we adhere to our high standards, deliver on our brand promise and align our brand assets closely with sales objectives involves a myriad of daily activities including strategizing and brainstorming, research, assessing internal documents, directing creative agencies, writing, negotiating media opportunities and so on.

What do you love most about your job?

Working at Jetcraft has been the best job of my career. For one, the leadership is unique and authentic, which sets the tone for the whole staff. I love my coworkers and the many people I’ve met within the business aviation community. They are interesting, passionate, smart, creative, fun, and motivated. I have especially enjoyed having the freedom and resources to think outside of the box and the ability to get things done. It’s an exciting business, and I learn something new every day.

Describe the company culture at Jetcraft and what it means to you?

The words that come to mind are diverse, dynamic, smart, creative, solutions-oriented, motivated and family. The leaders encourage forward thinking and a high level of performance, but they are also forgiving. In the midst of all the activity and hard work, there is a good mix of humor and fun.

What do you want your customers to experience when dealing with Jetcraft?

A LOT! …I want them to experience our depth and have no doubts that we are the perfect fit to help them meet their objectives. I’d like them to experience the right chemistry of strong personal service, value, trustworthiness, authenticity and integrity.

Who or what has been your greatest professional influence?

Having been influenced significantly by many, it’s impossible to single out one person or experience. First and perhaps most significant is the influence of my parents. At a very early age, I recall riding with them into areas of extreme poverty and sharing food among other things from our modest means. They inspired me to have a strong core of faith and service, to work hard and be generous and to try to keep my motives in check.

In terms of the tangible career growth: Adam Cohen, a former boss, opened my eyes to solid strategy and truly unique creative, and he encouraged fun in the workplace. This was a game changer.

My colleagues at Jetcraft have challenged me and inspired many new skillsets. My current boss has especially had a huge impact.

Last but not least, there’s my husband, Marshall Gray. He is one of a kind. His adventurous spirit, sense of humor and encouragement add light to everything – including my career.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Compassionate, dedicated, genuine

If you were to buy a business jet, which aircraft would suit your needs and why?

I like the design and agility of the Challenger 350, however, if I had the chance to own a jet I would select one that served a broad range of goals and interests. I would choose a Global 6000 for its larger passenger load, comfort, overall capability and performance. It’s a beautiful jet, too.

What stands out to you as good customer service?

It starts and ends with the customer’s individual needs and desires – learning and caring about what matters to them, and employing 100% commitment to meeting their needs while maintaining integrity and perspective.  

Finally, what is your hidden talent or hobby?

I dabble in many things, but my truly hidden talents are the finely tuned art of having philosophical discussions with my three-year-old granddaughter and my skill of dancing with my one-year-old grandson while singing loudly to Lion King. This is the icing on the cake of my life.