SouthTecAviation
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About Us
SouthTec Aviation was founded by Glenn Lawler with a commitment to giving aircraft owners knowledgeable, dependable maintenance and real technical depth. Glenn brought decades of specialized experience to the company, including 16 years as a technical representative for Diamond Aircraft, where he worked across the Diamond product line and taught Diamond maintenance and composite repair courses to technicians and service centers throughout North America.
That expertise is the foundation SouthTec Aviation is built on today.
Under the ownership of Steve Buchenroth, SouthTec Aviation is carrying that work forward while continuing to grow the level of service we provide. Our goal is straightforward: give aircraft owners and operators a partner they can trust, one that communicates clearly, performs quality work, and understands that every aircraft we take in matters to its owner.
Our team brings extensive experience in Diamond and Tecnam aircraft, Austro and Continental diesel engines, Lycoming and Continental piston engines, composite and structural repair, general aviation maintenance, inspections, troubleshooting, refurbishment, and parts support. As an authorized service center for Diamond Aircraft and Tecnam, we combine specialized aircraft knowledge with the capabilities to support our customers throughout the life of their aircraft.
As SouthTec continues to evolve, the principles the company was founded on stay the same: technical expertise, quality workmanship, honest communication, and a commitment to keeping our customers flying safely.
Our experience is your advantage.
Partnerships and Certifications
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Authorized service center for Diamond Aircraft
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Authorized service center for Tecnam
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Garmin field service center
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Service partners with Technify / Continental Diesel and Austro Engine
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Approved licensed maintenance organization for aircraft maintenance and repairs
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All of our mechanics are FAA licensed A&Ps
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FAA certified IAs on staff
Aircraft and Engines We Maintain
Diamond · Tecnam · Cessna · Pipistrel · Sling · Sport Cruiser · Sailplanes ·
Austro · Continental Diesel · Lycoming · Rotax · Garmin avionics
20 years of Rotax experience and factory training across the Diamond product line.
Our Team
Christian Hedrick
Director of Operations
Christian brings over a decade of experience in aviation maintenance and business leadership to his role as Director of Operations. He has extensive expertise with Diamond Aircraft, having spent much of his aviation maintenance career at SouthTec Aviation. His technical background includes deep knowledge of composite materials and repair, along with extensive experience maintaining Austro, Continental Diesel, and Lycoming engines.
As a leader, Christian focuses on aligning maintenance strategy with organizational goals while maintaining a commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and customer service.
Outside of aviation, Christian enjoys being a husband and father and spending time outdoors with his family.
Dale Jordan
Director of Maintenance
Dale has worked in general aviation for over 42 years, earning his A&P while serving in the United States Air Force and holding his IA for the last 16. He earned his private pilot license in 2007. His experience runs from light maintenance to full annual inspections and STC installation on light aircraft.
Dale's love of fabric-covered aircraft has led to the complete restoration of nine Piper J3 Cubs and a 1930 RNF WACO, which won Grand Champion Antique Division at an EAA fly-in in Darlington, South Carolina. Alongside his work here he is an account manager for Savvy Aviation, maintains aircraft for several private owners, and serves as Maintenance Officer for Legacy Flying Club.
Fun fact: At 65 years old, Dale can still ride a unicycle.
Jennifer Walker
Administrative Director
Jennifer keeps the office and maintenance operations running. She joined SouthTec in January 2023 as an office assistant and has since taken on maintenance coordination, parts coordination, finance, and administration.
Before aviation she built a broad career in the automotive industry across business development, finance, detailing, parts, and management. She holds four associate degrees from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Catawba College, with concentrations in business management, information systems, and criminal justice. That range, and a genuine love of learning, shapes the practical and adaptable approach she brings to her work.
Born in California and raised in a military family, Jennifer has crossed the country several times. Outside of work she serves her church in leadership, clerical, treasury, and IT roles, and enjoys making memories with her husband and family.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
David Garner
Service Coordinator and Estimator
David spent 20 years in the automotive industry across maintenance and repair, sales, and service advising before joining SouthTec in May 2023, bringing his mechanical knowledge, customer service experience, and problem solving to aviation.
Today he manages customer relations, schedules aircraft maintenance, and coordinates maintenance documentation. If you have called about scheduling work or getting an estimate, you have probably talked to David.
Outside of work he spends time with his wife and four sons, making memories on trips to new places.
Fun fact: David is also a licensed North Carolina real estate agent who advocates for his clients through one of life's most important investments.
Joseph "Joe" DeRosa
Composite Repair, Painting & Refinishing
With over 37 years of trade experience, Joe has been a key part of SouthTec Aviation for a decade. His career started in automotive paint and body repair, which grew into a passion for automobile and motorcycle restoration and then into composite repair, painting, and refinishing.
When Joe joined SouthTec, his technical background let the company bring composite repair, painting, and refinishing in house, capabilities it had previously sent out. He specializes in Diamond aircraft alongside a range of other composite airframes, and his craftsmanship and attention to detail show in every project he touches.
In his free time Joe fishes the coast. Most of all he values time with his grandchildren, often taking them to car shows and refurbishing antique toys for them.
Cristian Hernandez
Maintenance Technician, Composite Repairs
Cristian came to SouthTec looking for the chance to learn more about aircraft, and has grown to love both the work and everything it has taught him.
His role covers the extensive preparation of aircraft parts and airframes ahead of composite fiberglass repair and painting, along with aircraft detailing, buffing, and polishing, the finishing work that gives an aircraft a clean, completed look.
Luke Walters
Aviation Technician
Luke earned his Airframe and Powerplant license through the aviation systems technology program at Guilford Technical Community College and joined SouthTec Aviation in 2021 as an aircraft maintenance technician.
He is passionate about general aviation and enjoys the full range of the work, from troubleshooting and inspection through to managing the details of an aircraft restoration.
Outside of work Luke spends his time on old Ford trucks and Broncos.
Yanluis Martinez
Aviation Technician
Yanluis began his career with four years of active duty in the United States Army as an infantry soldier and Presidential Escort in the Military District of Washington. After his active-duty service he pursued a degree in Aviation Systems Technology at Guilford Technical Community College and moved into aviation as a technician at an MRO facility supporting heavy maintenance on transport-category aircraft. He continues to serve in the Army Reserve as a Motor Transport Specialist and Dispatcher.
As he neared the end of his A&P program, Yanluis and his wife were planning a move to Charlotte. He found SouthTec's job posting, was drawn to the aircraft and the repair work, and applied to challenge himself and broaden his skills.
Fun fact: His name is a blend of his mother's and father's, Yanira and Luis.
Michael Anderson
Maintenance Technician
Michael spent eight years in the United States Army as a tank mechanic before moving into aviation, bringing a heavy-equipment maintenance background and the troubleshooting instincts that come with it.
He came to the airport looking for work and was pointed toward SouthTec.
Fun fact: The first turbine engine Michael ever worked on was a tank engine.
Sawyer Smith
Maintenance Technician
Sawyer got his start working on old cars and trucks before attending the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Charlotte, North Carolina. He went on to work for Pilatus in Rock Hill, South Carolina, before joining SouthTec on the recommendation of a family friend who knew he had moved into aviation.
Fun fact: For someone who works on aircraft every day, Sawyer has only flown four times.
Klara Ogg
Maintenance and Parts, Welding and Fabrication
Klara graduated in 2023 with a diploma in Welding Technology and carried those skills straight into the workforce, teaching welding to college students, taking contract welding jobs, and working as an Account Manager for Air Liquide, a multinational welding gas and material supplier. Those roles built hands-on experience in both the trade itself and in technical instruction.
She joined SouthTec in April 2025 after being introduced to the company by a former composite employee. Since then she has worked across the maintenance shop and the parts department while handling welding and fabrication repairs, and she is currently working toward her A&P certification.
Fun fact: Before welding, Klara was pursuing a career in law enforcement and took part in multiple undercover S.W.A.T. operations.
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Miranda Thompson
Parts Coordinator
Miranda joined SouthTec in January 2026, bringing ten years in the automotive industry and translating that parts expertise into the faster-moving aviation world. She holds a degree in Healthcare Management with a minor in Business Operations, pairing operational strategy with hands-on technical knowledge.
Outside of work Miranda is an avid gamer and spends her time with her two sons.
Need work scheduled?
Call 704-431-6862 or send us the details and we will get back to you with a quote.