McShane Group helps lift
firm to shocking heights
The Jeffersonian
Published 04/08/03

BY VIRGINIA TERHUNE
TIMONIUM

Running a company that fixes cross-country power lines by using helicopters is only one of the things that Tom McShane does from his office in Timonium.

President and CEO of the McShane Group, he is a business consultant who specializes in helping ailing businesses.

A certified corporate turnaround specialist, he took over AIR2 LLC two years ago when the previous CEO failed to meet expectations.

"The objective is to get a reasonable return for the investors within the next two years," said McShane, who had also invested in the company with his partners and others.

Based in Miami, AIR2 is one of several businesses in the country that use helicopters to evaluate and repair power lines for the electric power industry.

Thanks to cell phones and e-mail, McShane says he is able to run the company from Timonium.

AIR2 is currently doing a lot of work for Entergy Corp., a group of utility companies headquartered in New Orleans. It also has other customers in the Southeast.

Founded in 1998, AIR2 has developed a platform that hangs below the helicopter allowing a technician to work on the lines while the chopper hovers.

Using global positioning systems, the chopper can also precisely map the position of each structure supporting the lines.

Inspectors using digital cameras take photos of defects, and crews also generate computerized reports and photos.

The data can be used to make immediate repairs in case of a safety hazard or potential loss of power.

Or it can be used to estimate and budget the cost of future repairs and maintenance that do not need immediate attention.

"They're using technology in ways no one ever thought of," said McShane.

AIR2 is also developing diagnostic techniques for testing the strength of wooden crossbars on the tower-like structures that hold up the lines.

McShane says it could potentially save power companies millions of dollars because it can pinpoint specific structures that need fixing.

Spotlighting problems also would save manpower, which is in short supply following cutbacks by utilities due to deregulation.

"There's a tremendous amount of demand for maintenance ... " said McShane. "We're right there ready to move into that."

"They're using technology in ways no one ever thought of."

Tom McShane, CEO, The McShane Group

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