Our Incredible Life Paths: Jean-Pierre STAINNACK (TBS 1982)

Would you tell us about yourself in a few words?

A financier who has gone over to the Dark Side (of sales).

Why did you choose to go to Toulouse, and TBS, to continue your education?

Toulouse is a world-renowned centre of excellence for aeronautics, and the decision to go to Toulouse was an obvious one for an aviation enthusiast.

Would you tell us about your time as a student at TBS? 

At the time, programmes were done over three years. I did Finance my first two years in Toulouse, and in third year, I took the opportunity to go to Bremen, in Germany.

Do you have any anecdotes from your graduating class to share? (Student associations, projects, professors…)

The Class of 82 saw the move of the Hotel St Jean to its new Compans location, and had to deal with the fallout. It also had the particularity of having had three ESC Toulouse presidents, as well as three programming languages (FORTRAN, COBOL, and Basic), with a first year spent punching job cards…. Far from today’s PCs and tablets.

Who are you today?

In what perspective did you enter the labour force after you got your degree? What were your motivations?

After I graduated from Sup de Co Toulouse, I did my military service followed by 18 months in the United States doing an MBA. My goal was to have an international career, but there weren’t many opportunities at the time. My first professional position was with Dow Chemical as a financial analyst. I was then contacted by a recruitment agency for a similar post at Airbus, which I accepted.

What is your current situation?

I’m currently Senior Vice President Sales Japan with Airbus, responsible for sales to Japanese airline companies.

Why did you choose this career, this job?

After my first few months in the Finance department at Airbus, I realised that the best way to work abroad is to work in Sales.

What moment did you know that this path was made for you?

When I signed my first sales contract, three months after I started working at Airbus. 

How did you get to where you are today in your career? (The major steps to consider)

After some 15 years of negotiating sales contracts in North America and Asia Pacific, I transferred to sales in the team responsible for companies that lease planes. After several years in this rather unique field, I moved to the Asia Region. Eight years ago I had the chance to oversee the Japanese sales teams.

How did your studies help you reach your personal and / or professional achievements?

Three ways:

1. Strong knowledge in business, business law, and marketing.
2. The opportunity to study abroad and earn a double degree.
3. Access to the alumni network.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Being a former alumnus, after a life spent traveling, probably in the middle of taking advantage of enjoying a new chapter of my life.

How has the alumni network been a support to you?

A number of former students work at Airbus and in aeronautics, which allow us to make numerous contacts.  

How would you recommend using it?

TBS gives us the know-how to succeed, the network lets us make it known. Don’t ever hesitate to use the Alumni network.

What advice would you give to the alumni of TBS, students or graduates?

Don’t ever give up on living your dreams, even if it isn’t impossible to do today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Know how to grab opportunities when they come!