Bill Sheen is the part-time coordinator for marketing and public relations at Florida Community College at Jacksonville’s Cecil Field Aviation Center. He is also a full-time EMS pilot for Life Flight and is under contract with the state’s Division of Forestry to provide relief pilot services in the event of a wildfire.
WHAT DOES THE CENTER OFFER?
“FCCJ provides training to be a pilot, maintenance training and programs for nurses and EMTs [emergency medical technicians]. We’re working on letting the students go on a ride-along.”
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE THERE?
“I develop brochures for the aviation center, produce television. commercials, radio advertisements, news articles and flyers, do public speaking, partner with local communities and industries and work with area schools for recruiting.”
WHAT DEMOGRAPHIC DO YOU SERVE?
“Our students range from 18 to 60 and come out of all areas.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING ABOUT YOUR WORK?
“Increasing enrollment to make this a viable option to students. We suffer from being new and having to get the word out on a limited budget.”
WHY TAKE THE JOB?
“As an EMS pilot, you do a lot to help get people to the trauma center. At FCCJ, I’m trying to get the program up, running and see it succeed. I like to make a difference to students and give them options in life. I always thought there was a great need for maintenance [training]. Now it’s only being taught in the military.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING WITH LIFE FLIGHT?
“Keeping up with the changes in regulation due to Sept. 11.”
HOMETOWN
North Bellmore, N.Y.
EDUCATION
Southern Illinois University as an undergraduate and he is pursuing a doctorate degree in business administration with Kennedy Western University.
WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO FLY?
A pilot for 15 years, Sheen picked up the basics of avionics during his tenure in military service. He enlisted with the Air Force, spending nine years as an aircraft mechanic before transferring to the Army to get his wings. In addition to functioning as an instructor pilot, he also served as an advisor to the Florida Army Aviation National Guard and as a test pilot.
WHEN DID YOU MOVE HERE?
Sheen came to Jacksonville in 1995. He worked for the Division of Forestry in Lake City modifying a Cobra helicopter to be used to fight fires.
OTHER VOCATIONS
Outside of aviation, Sheen has also been employed as a train dispatcher with CSX and as an employment/placement interviewer with First Coast Career Service.
FAMILY
Sheen resides in San Marco and has two grown children, William Jr. and Gina.
HOBBIES
When Sheen is not coaching soccer, he is either reading, jogging, bicycling or golfing. For entertainment, he tunes in to an episode of “The Sopranos” or pops in the videotape of “Stand by Me.” He claims the best restaurant for steak is Da Pearle in Germany.
AFFILIATIONS
Sheen is a member of JCCI, the National Aeronautic Association, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the training subcommittee of the Super Bowl Host Committee. He has also participated in fundraisers for United Way, Leukemia Society and Learn-to-Read Foundation.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“General Norman Schwartzkopf. I was under his command in the desert. I thought he did a great job there.”
—by Monica Chamness