EMPLOYEE
SPOTLIGHT
SHANTEL THOMAS
Defense Technical Illustrator & IETM Graphics Specialist at ASEC NAS Jacksonville
In this month’s employee spotlight, Shantel Thomas, a Defense Technical Illustrator at ASEC, reflects on her career journey, which began in 1984 at NAS Jacksonville (NAS JAX) following her father’s footsteps. After working her way up in the technical graphics and digital illustration field, she joined ASEC in 2017, where she has thrived for seven years. Shantel values the company’s alignment with her work ethic, emphasizing its ethical leadership and mission-driven culture supporting the Warfighter. She sees herself retiring from ASEC and appreciates how it encourages continuous learning. Shantel highlights the importance of teamwork, loyalty, and accountability, and wholeheartedly recommends ASEC as a fantastic place to work.
Employee Spotlight:
Micah Wood | Naval Flight Officer & P-8A Poseidon Training Systems Expert at ASEC Jacksonville
At ASEC, our team is powered by individuals whose dedication, expertise, and unique perspectives drive our mission forward. This month, we’re excited to spotlight Micah Wood, a P-8A Poseidon Training Systems Expert and Naval Flight Officer (NFO) whose career spans over two decades in the Navy. Dive into Micah’s story as he shares insights on his career, his alignment with ASEC’s core values, and the impact of teamwork on delivering excellence.
Start by introducing yourself and letting us know what your role is at ASEC.
I’m Shantel Thomas, a Defense Technical Illustrator & Computer Graphic Artist.
I’ve been married to my husband Wayne for 31 years, and we have two kids and a one-year-old grandson, Ethan, who keeps me busy. I started my career at NAS Jacksonville (NAS JAX) in 1984, following in my dad’s footsteps. Initially, I thought I’d be an Administrative Assistant, but I ended up at LSI, moving into the Defense Graphics Department, where I spent 18 years working my way up. After some time at Wyle, I joined ASEC in 2017 and got involved in Electronic Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs). Seven years later, I still love working with my amazing team here in Jacksonville, FL.
What other roles and projects have you been involved with at ASEC?
Since I started at ASEC, I’ve been part of the IETM/Technical Graphics Department. My role has been diverse, including learning HTML coding for defense documentation, helping with importing Illustrated Component Numbers (ICNs), and working within our interactive maintenance training systems. I’ve done almost everything in the Digital Manuals (DMs), short of working on the aircraft itself! I was fortunate to have a great mentor, Tommy Lowrance, who taught me all aspects of the job in the IETM development lifecycle.
What made you feel that ASEC aligned with your work ethic?
ASEC has always encouraged me to reach my full potential. The company is structured, values-driven, and I trust the leadership to make sound decisions. That level of trust really aligns with how I like to work in the aerospace and defense content development space.
When you think about where you’d like to go in your career, how does ASEC match up with your aspirations?
I see myself retiring from ASEC. I love the professional yet mission-focused culture here, and the company constantly motivates me to keep learning. I feel like I’m part of something bigger in support of U.S. defense readiness, and that’s exactly what I want for my career.
If you came across someone at a similar point in their career, or at a similar point to the one you were at, why would you recommend coming to work for ASEC?
ASEC is a fantastic place to work. They take care of their employees and make you feel like your work truly matters—and it does, especially for the warfighter and military readiness mission.
How do ASEC’s core values resonate with your personal values and work approach?
ASEC’s core values really align with my own. I believe in always giving my best, being honest, showing respect, and being loyal to the company. Those values guide everything I do in the technical publishing and illustration workflow.
Can you share an experience where ‘Being the expert’ was particularly crucial in your role?
When I started at ASEC as the sole Graphic Illustrator for defense training manuals, I was the go-to person. Being the expert was critical because there was no one else to turn to when things didn’t work. I had to quickly learn how to integrate our database (Eagle/NSIV) with our technical illustration software—which wasn’t easy. After a lot of trial and error and many phone calls, we finally developed a defense-compliant graphics integration system that worked seamlessly. No one realized just how much effort went into making it run smoothly!
‘Be Loyal’ is a key value at ASEC. How do you interpret this, and how has it influenced your decisions or actions at work?
To me, loyalty means being careful and mindful in everything I do. I don’t share work details on social media or talk about my job outside the company. I’m always conscious of how my actions reflect on the Digital Graphics Team and ASEC as a whole.
Can you provide an example where you demonstrated the value of ‘Do what you are saying you are going to do’?
If I tell someone I’ll have a project done by a specific date, I work hard to make sure I keep my word. I hold myself accountable to deliver IETM or graphic content updates on time and in compliance with DoD standards.
If someone was considering a career at ASEC – what advice would you give them?
I’d say, absolutely join! ASEC is the best company to work for, and they truly value their employees—especially those contributing to technical documentation, logistics support, or training system production.
What advice would you give to someone new to the company on how to succeed at ASEC?
Stay accountable in everything you do. Think of your work as if you’re supporting an aircraft’s mission directly—if something goes wrong, the whole team is affected. We work as a team, and everyone’s part matters in supporting the warfighter and mission success.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about working at ASEC?
I’ve loved every moment of working at ASEC. I’m proud to be part of the Defense Graphics and IETM Development Team and excited about what the future holds for the company. It’s an amazing place to work, and I’m glad to be part of it here at ASEC Jacksonville.
YOUR CAREER AT ASEC IS JUST A CLICK AWAY
We share our appreciation with Shantel for taking the time to share her career journey and insights with us. If Shantel’s experiences strike a chord with you, or if you’re on the lookout for a career where your efforts truly matter, take a look at the opportunities awaiting you at ASEC. Visit our careers page here to learn more.