“Gentleman” Dave Brooks retired as President of American Airlines Cargo a few years back, but he’s still one of the most likeable cargo guys we have ever known.
      At the center of air cargo for decades, Dave was always unflappable. A quick wit complemented his calm demeanor and bright intelligence as he tackled the cargo fortunes of AA and worked to build the industry via the many organizations he supported including, of course, CNS.
      These days, Gentleman Dave continues serving at various posts, including on the board of Saudia Cargo.
      Dave is also advisor to Episcale (a start up).
      While admiring his calm over the years—and wondering how he found that center of life others might enjoy—we discovered that on some weekends, Dave drives a hearse for a local funeral home down in Texas.
      “It actually began when I got involved with the funeral services industry after 9/11, when the TSA and funeral homes were struggling with how to screen human remains on aircraft,” Dave said.
      “After working at a large company where it takes so long to achieve anything truly meaningful, I now go home at the end of the day having helped families through the worst time of their lives.”
      “And no pile of emails to slog through,” Dave smiles.
      “Very fulfilling,” he said.
      We thought about Dave the last night of CNS as the music played on and CNS closed its 27th Partnership Conference in Orlando, which CNS President Lionel Van Der Walt reports was the best-attended event in the entire history of the organization.
      There is life, the work we do and the family we raise, and somewhere inside of us there is the center of life that makes everything else possible.
      Dave Brooks always taught the good lessons.
      Everybody can use a respite away from the noise and clutter of life.
      We’re thinking about Gentleman Dave today. Being decent is a core value before, during, and even after a career in air cargo. It seems like a good road to travel, moving ahead.
Geoffrey