AAR team member gives scrap parts new life as art across Miami

Valerie Stockdale poses next to her Rosie the Riveter piece and an engine blade retirement plaque, and John M. Holmes, AAR’s President, Chairman and CEO, uses one of her podiums at Airframe MRO – Miami.

Wood Dale, Illinois — AAR CORP., a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, highlights Valerie Stockdale, a Senior Tool Room Clerk at AAR’s Airframe MRO – Miami facility, who creatively repurposes scrap parts as artwork across Miami.

A long-time artist and champion of the Company since she joined in 1993, Stockdale set out to combine her talent and the medium with which she often works – aviation parts – to decorate the space around her, turning various scrap pieces into industrial art.

Stockdale has adorned spaces in AAR’s Airframe MRO – Miami facility with her lamps, podiums, picture frames, mirrors, and many more creative applications of parts that would have otherwise landed in a scrapyard. 

“Valerie’s art fills our facility with character and history, becoming a conversation piece for visitors and a daily reminder for team members that each day they have an opportunity to enhance AAR, whether through reimagining a process or even repurposing a scrap part,” said Brian Loomer, General Manager of AAR’s Airframe MRO facilities in Miami, Windsor, and Trois-Rivieres. “We are grateful for Valerie’s contributions throughout her career, including sharing her artistic gift. Valerie’s Rosie the Riveter piece made from a cockpit window frame has been particularly inspirational, especially during our Girls in Aviation Day events.”

Although Stockdale completes most pieces on her own time, when she designs at Airframe MRO – Miami, she often receives encouragement and ideas for future pieces from her supportive co-workers. As a token of gratitude, Valerie creates recognition plaques made of engine blades for retiring team members.

“I am proud my artwork helps others become excited about aviation and am appreciative to AAR for putting my creations on display,” said Stockdale. “When I got started, I never imagined that a podium I created would be used during visits from our CEO and the mayor. I feel so lucky to have built a career with such a special company.”

Stockdale’s pieces are also featured at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami and Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. 

For more information about a career with AAR, visit aarcorp.com/en/careers/.

About AAR
AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com.

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