The Heart of Aviation Marketing International

Dad, we miss you every day.

This page is a tribute to my dad and the founder of Aviation & Marketing International, Inc. Dan Pradel, Sr. was always a lover of aviation. He served in the US Air Force after high school and then earned his private pilot license and bachelor’s degree after his military career. He worked for Airwork in jet engine overhaul and for Combs Airways early on, and then moved on to Garrett Aviation for most of his career before venturing out on his own. Dad always had an entrepreneurial spirit and made many friends over the years because he was so friendly, easy-going, and pleasant to work with. I did not realize, until I had kids of my own, the risks he took to leave a good job and start his own business while having two kids in college. There were some lean times in the early days of the company, and he weathered the storms to set a firm foundation on which to build.

Dad and I were able to spend a lot of time together in the early days of the company. We used his van and a trailer to retrieve ground support equipment in remote parts of Texas. One time, we almost ran out of fuel flying from San Antonio to Houston. We had the opportunity to fly small planes all over the United States and meet great people.

He was the best Dad you could ask for. He was a strong Christian and passed the faith on to me by example. He never knew a stranger and loved his country. I am thankful for the blessing of Dan Pradel, Sr.

Dan Pradel, Jr.