William L. Shields

william-shields

Bill Shields is a 1979 graduate of Fisher High School and the son of Wayne and Grace Shields. After graduation, he attended Southern Illinois University and earned his associate’s degree in aviation electronics technology. Beginning as an avionics technician, Bill steadily worked his way from the hands on technical work to the engineering and certification aspects of aircraft modifications. During this growth, Bill held engineering and leadership positions for several industry organizations including Rockwell Collins, Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft and more. After nearly 25 years of experience under his belt, Bill founded his own consulting company, 3S Certification. 3S Certification was delegated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) and granted approval authority for the certification requirements of modifications to all types of civilian aircraft. With a natural entrepreneurial spirit, he grew 3S, as well as several other subsidiary companies, becoming a leader in the aviation industry. Following the sale of 3S, Bill has been focusing on the certification of innovative aircraft technologies related to reducing fuel consumption during airline operations.

In 2013, Bill, and his wife, Stacey, started a grass-finished beef operation in Bois D’Arc, Mo., where they currently live. Bill and Stacey have one daughter, Peyton, who resides in Kansas City, Mo.

  • Southern Illinois University – AAS – Aviation Electronics Technology, 1981
  • Avionics Manager – Aviation Associates, St. Croix USVI – 1984
  • Technical Systems Specialist – Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids IA – 1985
  • Avionics Manager, – Gulfstream Aircraft, Savannah GA – 1996
  • Founded 3S Certification (3SC) / 3S Engineering (3SE), Springfield MO – 2006 / 2011
  • 2004/2011 Federal Aviation Administration approval authorities – Designated Engineering Representative (DER) and Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) granted to 3SC
  • Private Pilot License – 2011
  • Sold 3S Certification / 3S Engineering to Sierra Nevada Corporation – 2012
  • Co-Founder Sunny Spring Farms – Grass Finished Beef, Springfield MO – 2013
  • Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder – Avix Aero, Dallas TX – 2015
  • Grassland Farmers of the Year, Greene County, MO – 2017