Chad Lukins already knew his way around a cockpit. A retired Naval Flight Officer with a pilot license, he was flying contract flights for private clients when he set his sights on a bigger goal: becoming a commercial pilot.
In May 2025, Chad connected with the Columbia Job Center through a referral from his VR&E program. He was enrolled in the Wagner-Peyser and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) programs and began working with a DVOP Specialist to map out his path forward.
Together, they built an Individual Employment Plan with short and long-term goals, reviewed labor market information for the aviation field using O*Net and MERIC, and updated his resume on MOJobs. Then Chad got to work.
He was proactive at every step, following up on every referral that came his way. When his DVOP Specialist sent him a referral for a flight instructor position with Columbia Jet Center, along with the direct contact information for the Chief Flight Instructor, Chad made the call. That conversation set everything in motion.
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Chad scheduled and completed his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) checkride, the FAA’s rigorous two-part examination that tests both flying proficiency and the ability to teach. He then completed the Airline Transport Pilot exam, finishing the training he needed to become a commercial pilot.
The interviews came quickly. Chad spoke with Veterans United, HTH Companies, Inc., and the University of Central Missouri. In January 2026, he accepted the lead pilot position with HTH Companies, Inc. and took off in his new role on February 2, 2026.
Chad’s story shows what happens when a veteran’s drive meets the right support. If you’re a veteran ready for your next mission, the Central Workforce Development Region’s veteran services team is ready to help.
Learn more at cwdregion.com/vetservices.