Our Team
We love our people! J|D gathers elite professionals from varied disciplines and cultures to enrich our insights in the global aviation industry. Experience the wealth of knowledge and innovation that only diverse perspectives can offer.
Melody Johnson
Accounting Manager
Finance
Q & A with Melody
Why did you join J|D?
I’d been in my previous role at a nonprofit organization for nine years and was starting to get bored. Darryl was looking to bring in house the finance services that at the time were contracted out. I thought it would be a good fit since it was a minority owned business and at the time a small company. I knew nothing about aviation but was excited to learn a new industry. I knew it would wake me up and get me interested in my work life again.
What is your personal motto?
Life is not the way it is supposed to be, it is the way that it is. How you cope with it, is what makes the difference.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I would own a puppy pet store and play with puppies all day.
What’s a cause that you are passionate about?
For nine years I was on the board of the nonprofit, Affirmations and am an equal rights and LGBTQ advocate. I’m also a Forgotten Harvest volunteer and passionate about feeding the hungry, and helping the homeless.
What type of books/movies do you enjoy?
I’m a fan of old Black and White Hollywood films. My favorites are To Kill a Mockingbird and Grapes of Wrath.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
African Safari
Tell us something that might surprise us about you:
I bungeed jumped before. It was scary but fun.
What or who has been your biggest career influence?
My first female boss at a corporate job, Kathy Saputo. She invested so much time and energy into me and took an interest in me being successful not just in that job but my entire career. Her mentorship was very impactful. We all need mentors throughout our career.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy other’s creativity and love museums, house music, poetry slams, and film festivals. I live close to a zoo, and it is my favorite place to go, to decompress.
I’m a summer baby so I love being outside in the summer anywhere near water-the lake, pool, or beach. I have a great circle of fun-loving friends who I spend a lot of time with.