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Ralph Merhi, CEO @ERP.ero

SkyboundOps conversation with my fiend Kelly Carlson

Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read

This conversation stayed with me

Hi all,

I wanted to personally share this episode with you because it’s one of those conversations that didn’t end when we hit stop.

I sat down with Kelly Carlson for #Skybound Ops — founder of Extrinsic Aviation — and what struck me immediately wasn’t a bold claim or a polished narrative. It was how grounded the thinking was. Her path into aviation didn’t start in the obvious places. It started in accounting, operations, systems, and process — the unglamorous work where small decisions quietly compound and show up later as very real consequences.

At one point, Kelly said,

“My superpower is to not accept the status quo. There is always a way to look at data differently.”

That line alone explains a lot about how she operates.

We talked about inventory that technically exists but can’t move. About data that’s available but not actionable. About sustainability that only works when it’s operational — when it respects time, people, and execution.

What I appreciated most was the mindset. No rush to solutions. No acceptance of “this is how it’s always been done.” Just a calm, operator-level discipline of understanding the full system before touching the answer.

If you’ve ever felt the gap between knowing something is off and having the space to actually fix it, I think this episode will resonate.

Here’s the link to listen — I’d genuinely love to hear what stood out to you.

– Ralph

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Ralph Merhi, CEO @ERP.ero

Aviation moves fast—and, so does life. That’s why your ERP should be keeping up, not holding you back. At ERP.Aero, we’re all about cutting through the clutter: lightning-fast RFQs, no data fees, and real support whenever you need it—day or night. No wasted time. No busywork. Just smart, built-for-aviation tools that help you stay ahead and scale with confidence. Because every second really does count. Let’s make sure your ERP isn’t slowing you down.

Practical insights for aviation suppliers, distributors, brokers, and manufacturers who refuse to settle for inefficiency. I believe in cutting through the noise—delivering real strategies to make things better. No fluff, no wasted time—just the knowledge, both business and personal, and tools to help you succeed. If you want my newsletter, drop your email below 👇 or feel free to look as much as you want.

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