Joseph P. Marchese started his aviation career with West Air/ United Express in 1987 as an aircraft cleaner. He transferred to Regional Aircraft Services Inc., a subsidiary of West Air in 1990, where he was responsible for the research, development and management of their structural repair department. Mesa Airlines purchased Regional Aircraft Services along with West Air and relocated the company to Reading, Pa. He worked his way up to become the General Manager of Mesa's Regional Aircraft Services. He is certified aircraft /structural welder and a certified government materials welder.