William Skibbe

Interview Outline

00:45 What things on campus are different from when you were here, and what has stayed the same?
02:17 How did you get into aerospace?
02:53 Would you share the story of how you left the MSTS ship?
05:12 This is when you entered the aerospace industry?
06:50 Would you talk more about the big-picture perspective you got from the Academy?
08:36 What clubs were you involved in on campus?
09:55 How did you and Commander Heron’s niece meet and being dating?
15:33 While you were at Cal Maritime, did women come onto campus from other colleges?
16:49 Would you talk more about cadet responsibilities such as cleaning the training ship?
18:47 Would you share the story when you were with McDonnell Douglas, and you met the President?
23:58 You mentioned the perspective you got from Cal Maritime. Do you think that helped you in your career?
24:49 Do you think the training cruises were part of the process to help you see the big picture?
25:55 What do you remember about your training cruises?
27:28 Would you like to share any stories of your relationship with the other cadets while you were attending Cal Maritime?
31:25 Did you background teach you to be tough early on?
33:42 Is you approach to leadership more about problem-solving or less about authority?
36:02 Would you tell us about your experience with Air America and your time overseas?
36:44 Would you share some of your personal experience in Vietnam?
39:26 Can you talk about your commanding officer and how you earned your rank?
41:12 Do you have any opinions of the Korean War and the Cold War?
43:38 Would you talk about your work on the Apache helicopter?
45:52 Would you talk about your move from large business to more of a small business?
50:16 You say you’re retired, but you sound like someone who doesn’t really slow down…
52:26 If you were 17 again and you were choosing where to go, would you choose Cl Maritime again?