Women In
Technical Aviation
at STS
Q&A with Devan Eccles
Devan Eccles
Chief Lease Services Officer at STS
Role and Background
Can you tell us about your role at STS and your journey in aviation so far?
I hold the position of Chief Lease Services Officer at Shannon Technical Services (STS). My responsibilities encompass overseeing the Inspections Department, the Maintenance Reserve Fund Department, and the newly integrated Transitions Department, all of which fall under the Lease Managed Services umbrella. We operate with a dedicated team of nine professionals in a highly active department, requiring strict coordination to ensure successful project delivery.
My journey with STS began almost five years ago, initially joining the HR and Finance team as an Administrator. From there, Don Salmon (Chief Operations Officer) and Larry Bridges (Chief Information Officer) pulled me into Operations as an Operations Planner, a role we established due to necessity, as we were in a rapidly growing phase, and it developed from the ground up to support our hub. After approximately a year, I advanced to the Inspections Manager position, which I held for over 2 years. Almost two years ago, I was appointed to my current role as Chief Lease Services Officer.
Career Inspiration
What inspired you to pursue a career in technical aviation?
Interestingly, aviation was not an initial aspiration of mine, but rather an industry I entered after relocating from New York. I discovered a strong aptitude for the work, fully embraced the role, and developed a genuine passion for it. Aviation offers immense progression and opportunity, particularly for women; with a strong work ethic, the possibilities are substantial.
STS has been incredibly supportive of my professional development. The leadership team recognised my potential and actively nurtured my skill set. I’ve always taken ownership of my own development — proactively identifying opportunities and bringing them to Ben Whelan, our CEO, Lucia Hyde, Chief People Officer, and Don Salmon, all of whom were tremendously supportive. That combination of personal initiative and company backing has allowed me to build a strong foundation: a Project Management qualification from UCD, exposure through various industry seminars, and most recently, a Certificate in Aviation, Leasing and Finance from the Law Society of Ireland, something that has genuinely elevated the way I approach my day-to-day responsibilities.
Understanding Your Day to Day Duties
For those less familiar with Lease Managed Services in aviation, what does your day to day typically involve?
Lease Managed Services primarily oversees the activities of on-lease aircraft on behalf of lessors, and no two days look exactly the same. My week is structured around a rhythm of internal and external touchpoints that keep our operations running smoothly across three divisions.
Each day begins with a team meeting across our Lease Managed Services functions, ensuring alignment, flagging priorities, and addressing any emerging issues early. Throughout the week, I hold dedicated customer update calls and meetings with our lessor clients, working through client-specific project trackers to provide transparency on progress and flag anything requiring attention. I also make a weekly trip to Dublin for face-to-face customer meetings — something I place real value on, as those in-person relationships are central to the level of trust and service our clients expect.
Underpinning all of that is the day-to-day operational work across our three divisions. Our Inspections division is a major component, driven by high volumes of repeat business from some of the world’s leading lessors and airlines. It is an exceptionally fast-paced environment — handling quick record reviews, sales and trading requests, and constant communication with our network of approximately 165 airlines and 300 approved consultants worldwide. Because many of these inspections are annual, we benefit from established relationships and familiarity with inspectors and airline processes, which ensures consistently smooth outcomes.
Our Maintenance Reserves division processes airline claims against lessor maintenance reserve funds — work that demands meticulous attention to detail, comprehensive lease reviews, and careful assessment of allowable claims.
Finally, our Transitions division manages the standard delivery and redelivery processes for lessors. While lease extensions have been prevalent recently, we anticipate a strong resurgence in activity toward the end of the year and have used this period proactively to implement streamlined processes, ensuring we are fully prepared when the market accelerates.
Proud Moments
Is there a particular achievement you are most proud of?
Successfully scaling the Inspections Department from a single-person function to its current robust structure is a significant point of pride. Initially, the Inspections team consisted solely of myself, which I then grew to a team of three. The Maintenance Reserves team didn’t exist at all — it is now also a team of three. Our Transitions function, managed by our Operations manager, handles consultant placements and liaises closely with lessors and airlines. Expanding from a team of one to a highly collaborative, specialist team of nine is a great achievement — spanning roles across Operations Management, Team Leadership, and Technical Services Engineering.
The volume and complexity of work we handle has ensured that our processes, templates, and quality control must be best in class. In 2024, we supported 743 aircraft inspections — a figure that grew to 780 in 2025, and we are firmly on track to surpass that number again in 2026. That consistent, year-on-year growth is a testament to the dedication of every person on the team.
Over time, this department has evolved into a primary gateway for our business. By delivering high-quality and consistent inspection services, we regularly open the door for lessors to utilise our broader hub services, including materials requests, potential transitions, and CAMO. Seeing the cohesive synergy develop across the Inspections, Maintenance Reserves, and Transitions teams — each led and supported by talented Operations Managers, Team Leads, and Technical Services Engineers — has been incredibly rewarding.
Key Skills
What skills are most important in your role?
Exceptional organisational skills are fundamental. Managing complex, time-sensitive projects requires strict oversight to prevent things from unravelling and having a domino effect — particularly when you’re coordinating across inspections, maintenance reserves, and transitions simultaneously.
Effective personnel management is equally critical. It involves understanding each team member’s unique strengths and working style, promoting a collaborative environment where we can draw on those strengths to support one another and optimise overall performance.
Strong interpersonal skills are something I consider non-negotiable in this role. We work with a network of over 300 consultants, the world’s leading aircraft lessors, and 165 airlines — each with their own priorities, pressures, and ways of working. Building and maintaining trusted relationships across that breadth of stakeholders requires genuine people skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to communicate clearly and professionally at every level.
Closely linked to that is responsiveness. Aviation is a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry where situations can change rapidly and decisions often can’t wait. Being accessible, reliable, and quick to act is not just a professional courtesy — it is a core part of delivering the service our clients and partners expect. In an industry built on trust and precision, how quickly and effectively you respond is key.
Industry Outlook
How do you see the aviation industry evolving in your field?
Artificial Intelligence will undoubtedly play a substantial role in shaping the industry’s future. We are highly cognisant of this shift at STS and are actively seeking ways to embrace innovation responsibly. As an ISO 27001 certified organisation and at an advanced stage in our Part IS journey, we adhere to strict data confidentiality and security protocols. However, wherever we can safely and securely implement new technologies to streamline our processes, we are committed to exploring those avenues. The organisations that are willing to adapt and innovate will be best positioned for future growth, in my opinion.
Women in Technical Aviation
What has your experience been like as a woman in this sector?
It has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. While women remain in the minority within the technical aviation sector, I have genuinely never felt disadvantaged. The leadership team at STS has actively maintained an inclusive environment, consistently providing opportunities and ensuring a level playing field.
Participating in the PropelHer Women in Aviation Executive Leadership Programme has been an exceptional extension of this support. It has connected me with female professionals across all facets of the industry, including legal, commercial, finance, and risk. This strong peer network is invaluable at industry events, allowing us to share insights and build lasting professional connections. Overall, I find aviation to be one of the most supportive industries for women.STS has also sponsored my place in the third cohort of the PropelHer Women in Aviation Executive Leadership Programme, which has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career — both for the calibre of learning and the community of talented women it has connected me with across the sector.
Advice for Future Talent
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in aviation?
I would strongly encourage them to pursue it. The aviation industry is vastly broader than many realise. Beyond the aircraft themselves, there are dynamic career pathways in finance, legal, commercial, marketing, technical, and operations. The opportunities for growth are immense, and the industry continues to expand. While it may not be a prominent career suggestion in standard education, the sheer volume of opportunities available today makes it a highly rewarding path.
Outside of Work
What keeps you motivated outside of the workplace?
My daughter Sadie is my primary source of motivation. I am driven to demonstrate to her that women can build highly successful careers, achieve their goals through hard work, and simultaneously maintain a fulfilling personal life. I greatly value the time spent with my husband, family and friends.
Outside of work, health and fitness are a priority. I work out most mornings, which sets me up well for a fast-paced day ahead. Away from the office, I have a genuine love of fashion and interior design, and I enjoy hunting for antiques, jewellery or furniture.
While balancing a demanding career and a personal life requires careful coordination and keeping a lot of plates spinning, maintaining that equilibrium is incredibly important and rewarding.
Anything Your Colleagues Might Not Know?
Many of my colleagues know that I am a New Yorker and spent my childhood between New York and Sligo. However, my last professional role in New York often comes as a surprise. Prior to joining STS, I successfully set up and managed a café called Olivia’s, affectionately named after my English Bulldog for approximately two years. When a regular customer asked to buy the business, I faced a tough decision. After much deliberation, I officially sold it in September 2019 and decided to return to Ireland with my family. That is when my aviation career began, and I haven’t looked back since.