Growing up, Mercer University alumna Allison Brantley had the opportunity to travel often with her family, a perk of her father’s job as a Delta Air Lines pilot. She dreamt of continuing that Delta legacy one day through her own career, and now she is doing just that as a project manager in the TechOps Materials department.
When she initially started to look into options for college, Mercer was the one place Brantley did not want to go. Her two older sisters were Bears, and following in their footsteps was not her style. However, her mindset changed when her parents took her to visit the Macon campus.
“It took no time at all to understand why both of them love Mercer so much. It’s Mercerians. It’s the people, the close-knit feeling that set it apart,” said Brantley, who grew up in Newnan. “I have three sisters, and all four of us are Double Bears, so if that doesn’t speak to how incredible we think Mercer is, I’m not sure what does.”
Her older sisters are a pharmacist and physician, and her younger sister is a nurse. Brantley majored in accounting and described her Mercer experience as dynamic. She threw javelin as a member of the track-and-field team during her freshman year; got involved in Greek life, campus ministry and intramural sports; volunteered in the community; participated in summer mission trips; and held jobs on and off campus.
“Mercer offered me a personalized learning experience in which my professors truly invested in my success,” she said. “They’re relatable and approachable, and that made a significant impact on my learning experience.”
Brantley also met her husband, engineering alumnus Aaron Brantley, at Mercer. They graduated together in 2015 and got married the next month. Allison Brantley entered the workforce immediately as an internal auditor while also pursuing her Master of Business Administration online at Mercer, which she completed in 2018.
“While I felt I had strong functional expertise in accounting, I wanted to accompany that with a broader perspective on how businesses grow,” she said. “The combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience helped me become a more well-rounded leader.”
Mercer was invaluable in preparing Brantley for her career. In addition to her strong academic foundation, her educational experience instilled in her a deep sense of community and a desire to give back. It also showed her how to balance her work and personal life, which has allowed her to be a valuable employee, community member, wife, mother and small business owner all at the same time.
Brantley owns a photography business. With more time on her hands during the COVID-19 pandemic, she turned her interest in photography into a business venture.
“Now, I’m able to pursue that creative passion of mine as a business,” she said. “My job at Delta is somewhat technical. With photography, I’m able to be more creative and use the other side of my brain and share in a lot of precious moments with my clients.”
Brantley joined the team at Delta in May 2019, and she hopes to stay there for the rest of her career. The TechOps Materials department is based in Atlanta.
“My team is responsible for managing materials and logistics for capital projects on the interior of our aircraft. We work closely with engineers and maintenance teams to enhance the flying experience for customers and our crew,” she said.
Her team tackles everything from smaller projects such as updating avionics hardware and software in cockpits to broader projects like refreshing an entire fleet, which could include new seats, lavatories, lights and more.
“Knowing I’ve contributed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for customers is fulfilling. I take pride in being part of an airline that values excellence and customer satisfaction,” she said. “What I like most about Delta is it feels like a family. Mercer and Delta are so similar in that regard. Delta takes care of its employees and invests in us.”
Brantley said it’s been special to share in the Delta legacy. Her father was a Delta pilot for 30 years, retiring amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and she had the opportunity to fly in the cockpit with him on his last flight. She discovered her passion for travel as a “Delta kid,” and she is grateful to now be able to show her 3-year-old and 1-year-old sons the world.
“It’s so rewarding to be able to experience the world from your little one’s perspective,” she said. “My goal is to continue learning from and growing within Delta as I build a long-term career in the aviation industry,” she said. “I hope to take on more challenges and advance into more strategic leadership roles … while continuing to provide for my family and make them proud.”
Allison Brantley is among the Mercerians featured in Mercer Illustrated: The Places, People, and Experiences of a Uniquely Impactful University. This coffee table book from Mercer University Press can be ordered online. Mercer faculty, staff and students can receive a 40% discount when they order by phone at (478) 301-2880.
