Aircraft Registration Specialist Jaimi Evans often stands out among her peers for not just her colorful clothing, but her vibrant personality. Evans has been a member of the DOAV team since September 2022 and has been a full-time employee since March 2023. 

 While working full-time, Evans returned to school to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in the Design Thinking program at Radford University. She received a B.F.A. in Fashion Design from Radford in 2018 and anticipates graduating this year with her M.F.A. 

 The Farmville, Va., native, who graduated summa cum laude, volunteered her time as a university 100 peer instructor to help first-year students adjust to collegiate level academics and life. Evans was recently featured in the Radford University magazine for her contributions to the university.  

 As an Aircraft Registration Specialist, Evans is responsible for working with aircraft owners in the Commonwealth to ensure that all airplanes are correctly registered and the data is entered into the Airport System Manager. She oversees daily deposit transmittals and evaluates aircraft registration and contract carrier applications for completeness and accuracy. Evans has been praised by many for her tireless work-ethic and upbeat personality in her daily interactions with others. 

 “From Day One, Jaimi has shined bright like a diamond,” said Darcy Vassar, DOAV’s aircraft compliance manager. “She brings a spirit of positivity wherever she goes and doesn’t let things get her down. She takes great care to follow through to ensure the aircraft owner has been properly served. When we receive phone calls from aircraft owners, it is usually because they have some concern or worry. With Jaimi, you can hear the smile and genuineness in her voice, which has a calming effect and a constructive outcome for the caller.” 

 Evans was a part of the DOAV team who helped promote aviation in the Commonwealth at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. She also represented the Communications and Education Division at the Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach and the Air Power Over Hampton Roads Air Show at Langley Air Force Base. 

 As a creative-minded individual, Evans serves as a judge for the Virginia Aviation Art Contest and the Virginia Aviation Photo Contest. Some of the students’ artwork that she has helped select to represent Virginia has advanced to place first among students from across the world in the International Aviation Art Contest. 

 “Being a part of the team who judges submissions to the art and photo contests enables me to witness the creativity in how participants interpret the themes and create beautiful artwork,” Evans said. 

 Evans first stepped foot in the DOAV office as a child when she visited her aunt, former Director of Communications & Education and Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame member Cherry Evans. Little did she know, she would be walking the hallways of the DOAV office more than 20 years later as an employee. Evans stated that while she has always loved being around airplanes and seeing different types of aircraft, it’s the people with whom she works and the impact she has on those around her that makes her job special. 

 “The interactions with people: my co-workers, aircraft owners, aviation industry professionals, and, most of all, the children are what I enjoy the most,” Evans said. “Meeting youth in the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) and watching their excitement as they learn about the world of aviation and the numerous opportunities available to them truly warms my heart.” 

 In just under three years working in the office on Gulfstream Road, Evans certainly has made her mark at DOAV and across the Commonwealth in the aviation industry. She looks forward to receiving her master’s degree and being able to make a positive impact on the world through design and creative problem solving. The sky is truly the limit as to what the exuberant Evans can accomplish in the future. 

 “All in all, we need to show up as ourselves, take care of ourselves, and laugh as often as possible,” Evans said. “I am grateful to share moments of laughter with all those in my workplace, and for that, I am forever thankful to be at DOAV.” 

 To read the feature on Evans in the Radford University magazine, see page 22 here: Evans in the Radford University magazine