Globe Trotting and The Journey Home

Life is full of opportunities and Tulsa Tech Aviation Maintenance graduate Jesse Moore has made the most of every one of them. From a high school student with a knack for hands-on learning to a skilled professional working for L3 Harris, Moore’s journey is a testament to where ambition and training can take you.

“I started this in high school because I got out of class for half a day,” he admitted with a grin. “In high school, any excuse to not be there was a good one for me.”

That “excuse” soon turned into the skillset to build a career that took Moore around the world. With certifications in hand, he landed a job in Massachusetts before joining the Gulfstream FAST team—a group responsible for keeping planes in the air across New England.

“Once I had my certifications, I got a job in Massachusetts and then made my way up to the Gulfstream FAST team,” he said. “The FAST team is basically the team that fixes things all over New England.”

But even for someone who loved to travel, home has a way of calling you back. As Moore’s family grew, he returned to Tulsa, bringing his expertise with him. His work with L3 Harris led him to an incredible full-circle moment—helping deliver a donated Gulfstream G2 to Tulsa Tech’s Riverside Campus in November 2024.

“That was so cool! Working for L3 Harris and seeing that jet land and taxi into the hangar was special,” he said. “I know the students will get a lot out of it.”

For Moore, though, aviation isn’t just about the planes. His return to Tulsa Tech as a substitute teacher allows him to reconnect with those who shaped his journey.

“I was in Sheryl’s (Oxley) first class. (Oxley now serves as program coordinator.) To see how she has moved up and all the wonderful instructors—it speaks volumes about Tulsa Tech,” he said.

Moore also knows that Tulsa Tech’s reputation extends far beyond Oklahoma.

“I have talked to people all over the country, and they know the quality of students Tulsa Tech produces. We have a great reputation, and in the aerospace industry, reputation is everything.”

From a wide-eyed teen to a seasoned professional, Moore’s path is proof that success is about seizing the right moments.

“People always talk about the quality of the instructors. I would encourage anyone to take a Tulsa Tech program—it opened so many doors for me, and it can do that for them too,” Moore said.

With more than 80 career training programs and a variety of evening and weekend classes, Tulsa Tech is opening doors for the next generation of skilled professionals—just like it did for Jesse Moore.