Growing a family business to the point where a corporate jet makes sense is a significant milestone of success. However, building a small fleet over the years that can assist those in need is an even greater achievement.
This is the inspiring story of The Walsh Group (WG), a fourth-generation family-owned business worth billions of dollars, providing design, build, finance and operation services for a wide range of construction projects. In 2006, the company initiated its partnership with Corporate Angel Network (CAN), a charity that connects critical care cancer patients and their families with corporate aviation departments offering available seats on their flights.
Established in 1898 by carpenter Matthew Myles Walsh, five years prior to the Wright Brothers’ first flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C., The Walsh Group now encompasses three companies with 21 regional offices across North America and over 8,000 employees. This year, the Walshes are celebrating 125 years in business.
The WG flight department was established in 1997 with a small Hawker 800 twinjet. Chief pilot James White was brought on board to build a top-tier organization. “That first aircraft allowed the company to visit its dozen or so regional offices at the time,” says White, “as well as drop in on job sites and construction projects as work progressed.”
Today, the WG fleet consists of three Gulfstream G200 twinjets, providing operational efficiency and excellent flexibility for WG co-chairmen Daniel J. and Matthew Walsh, as well as the senior executive team, including Daniel P. Walsh and Sean Walsh.
Caleb, a young patient, on a Corporate Angel Network flight.
Approximately a decade after establishing the flight department, the company became involved with CAN. “As a pilot, I was aware of Corporate Angel Network,” recalls White, “so I was very excited when Dan Walsh came to me and asked about it. He had seen an article somewhere and was interested in the program. The Walsh family, Matt, and Dan are among the most charitable people you could ever meet. They are truly sincere about giving back and really care about their employees.”
White says Matt and Dan Walsh personally track each CAN flight and inquire about the “angel passengers” they transport. Dan even commissioned special “angel wings” for the children, providing them with a special memento of their time in WG jets.
“We provide CAN with a copy of our flight calendar,” says Dan Walsh. “When an angel passenger needs to travel for treatment, CAN matches those flights we have and where we are headed. When the stars align, they request a slot for the traveling family, and we offer them the number of available seats. We strive to make each flight special for our angel passengers.”
Chief pilot Jim White recalls a particular CAN mission: “We flew a little girl to New York several times for cancer treatment, accompanied by her parents. Having kids of my own around the same age, I could imagine how scared Mom and Dad must have been. I truly understood the value of providing a dedicated place in our aircraft for them.”
Dan Walsh adds, “Knowing that we’re eliminating one aspect of travel planning for treatment and providing the child and her parents with some privacy in their challenging journey towards wellness makes it all worthwhile. We’re committed to Corporate Angel Network for the long haul.”
More info: Partnering with CAN is simple! Corporate Angel Network aims to ensure the process is seamless and does not disrupt your flight department’s day-to-day activities. CAN’s flight coordinators diligently match your scheduled business trips with patient requests, utilizing both live and empty legs. Patients often fly alongside executives. Once a match is found, your company is notified to confirm availability. There is no cost to become a partner, and there are no minimum flight requirements. Whether your company provides 1 or 100 flights per year, working with CAN offers a unique opportunity for your organization to conduct business while making a significant difference in the lives of cancer patients who need it most. CAN is always seeking new flight departments to provide transportation for patients, as well as funding to support other critical patient services.