Tamiko Bailey ('01 BBA, Finance)

Why did you choose to attend UTA?
I chose UTA because I could use my Montgomery GI Bill, location, and I could work while attending school. UTA also offered a broad listing of courses and times.

What did you study at UTA? What attracted you to that field?
BBA Finance. I wanted to be an investor. My goal was to work on Wall Street and be in the big city (New York).

Describe your UTA experience. Did you have a favorite class, professor, or student organization?
My most favorite experience was late night study time with friends on campus or at Starbucks when it was open past 10 p.m. My favorite classes were finance, organizational management, management, and business law. My favorite professors were Allan Saxe, Dr. Price, and Dr. Myrtle Bell, and I participated in Finance Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha.

How did UTA help prepare you for your career?
The College of Business helped me to manage, lead, think critically, and launch a successful business. UTA was instrumental in providing a solid foundation academically. I enjoyed the hands-on projects and even got accepted to the study abroad program in France. Beyond the classroom, I benefited from a paid internship with Nokia Mobile Phones in their Fixed Asset Accounting department. In the Finance Society, I held the position of promotions director. Our group hosted career fairs and many local companies participated, such as Lockheed Martin.

These experiences helped me build real-world experiences and expanded my professional network. Additionally, the university helped me develop essential soft skills such as communication, time management, and teamwork through group assignments, presentations, and extracurricular activities. These experiences made me confident and adaptable to challenges in the workplace.

What is your current professional position? What do you do in this role?
I am the founder of Bailey’s Premier Services, LLC, an aircraft maintenance company. My title is President and CEO. I started BPS out of my garage while pregnant with my 3rd child. I am responsible for meeting with customers, strategic direction, merger and acquisition decisions, P&L, and day-to-day management.

"Aviation is about relationships, as with any profession."

What drew you to aviation? What have you learned along the way?
I was in the US Air Force. I worked with F-15 and F-16 fighter pilots. My commander asked me if I wanted to fly backseater in an F-15. I instantly fell in love with aircraft and aviation. I am now obtaining my private pilot's license.

Aviation is about relationships, as with any profession. The aviation community is small. The general public knew me somewhat from working with other major defense contractors, but I had to establish myself on my own, and at the time it seemed painful. But as BPS gained momentum, I continued to press through. I learned the best thing I could do is be myself and be professional. I also learned not to take things personal but in business… transactions are about timing.

Can you share any defining moments in your career that inspired you to continue your work?
It’s tough running a business. But the defining moments in my career that inspired me to keep going are the positive impact I see in the lives of our employees. I am overjoyed and my heart melts when an employee candidly shares that they are so happy to work for BPS. We are not perfect, but we listen to our customers and our employees.

What's one lesson you learned at UTA that has stayed with you still today?
I didn’t come from wealth. Some days I could not believe I was at the University of Texas at Arlington. UTA is the university for that girl or boy that has big dreams!!! Maybe you have to work two or three jobs while matriculating. But you do it!!! Because your dreams will come true.

What I remember the most is the open-door policy. My professors always made time for me, and they wrote letters of recommendations, even after college. I knew UTA was the school for me, and I could not make any mistakes. Every resource available to me on campus, I took advantage of, and I met students from other countries. I couldn’t act carelessly but had all the fun that I wanted while on campus.

What message do you have for the next generation of UTA graduates?
Hey Mavericks!!! Enjoy university life. Debate, ask questions, get to know others, and take advantage of an internship. Do not rush through university life. Travel the world. You never know… there may be an employer who is looking for a standout student that is smart, well-traveled, and offers a global world view.

Take Flight! Beyond the Skies!

Xoxo,

Maverick Forever 😊

Tamiko
Class of 2001