Liftoff Leadership

Betty Shotton

CEO/Author & Speaker   LIFTOFF LEADERSHIP

Betty Shotton is a longtime resident of and recognized leader in North Carolina. She co-founded and led three real estate companies on the Outer Banks from 1985 until 1996. The largest was sold on the NYSE and is today known as ResortQuest International, a part of Wyndham Worldwide.

 In a commitment to establishing commercial air service for the Outer Banks she turned her attention to aviation in 1996. Shotton founded and led two regional air carriers, SouthEast Air and Sea Air.  Sea Air partnered with Atlantic Aero at Greensboro International in providing air service between from the OuterBanks to Raleigh Durham International and other major regional airports.

Ms. Shotton established the Women with Wings Fund for The North Carolina School of Math & Science. The fund provides financial resources to young women in math and science with activities related to aeronautics and aviation. She is the sponsor of the pylon at The Icarus Monument to Flight honoring Women in Aviation at Kitty Hawk, NC and was the keynote speaker for The Flight Society’s celebration and recognition of the role of women in aviation in December 2011.

Today she is an author and speaker on leadership’s responsibility to lead for the greater good. She reminds leaders of the impact their character and conduct has on others and the opportunity they have to make a positive difference in their organizations and communities.

Her book “LIFTOFF LEADERSHIP” 10 Principles of Exceptional Leadership was nationally released in October. The cover design was done by Sara Birkemeier of 8 Dot Graphics in Raleigh. Her Brand Manager is Diane Pace-Wiles, owner of Alchemie Consulting, also in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Betty is one of approximately 850 women in the US with an ATP and holds a commercial pilot’s license. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia and was part of the first class of women admitted to the school. She has an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Betty lives and works on Ocracoke Island and in Black Mountain, NC with her husband Chris Hyland.

In praise for LIFTOFF LEADERSHIP:

• “Some people are born leaders, but many of us are brought into leadership positions with no clear flight plans maps or checklists.  As a woman who has often been put into a leadership position, I've had to evaluate what leadership means.  Betty's book gave me insights; it is a valuable resource on what leadership means to me and how I can better understand my role.  I'd like to be a better leader and this book will definitely help me with that.  

Thank you Betty for writing this!” 

 Patty Wagstaff

 U.S. National Aerobatic Champion

Inductee, National Aviation Hall of Fame

• “Clearly, the bridge between corporate success and ethics in business is principled leadership as illustrated in this book.  It shows success in the board room and ethics cannot only survive but are mutually dependent upon each other for long-term success.  Betty’s book is a great read and a must for anyone who is a leader or aspires to a position of leadership!” 

Richard J. Walls, P.E., Director

NCDOT Division of Aviation