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Banyan Maintenance Department allow such a major commitment. But after talking it over, the
Campions decided the restoration was their mission. “We felt
a calling,” Don says. “The Lord had his plans.”

He began by approaching SIM about his vision. At first,
the organization was reluctant. But Don was persuasive: In
2010, SIM agreed to make the hospital one of its projects.
“We saw it as the answer to a prayer,” Don says. Other
mission organizations began participating. Banyan itself sends
hundreds of volunteers to help with the restoration, and Don
himself travels to Egbe three times a year.

Current progress

The project currently encompasses 70 buildings, a new water
system, and a sustainable solar energy system. Training
long, small charter companies began coming to do business. is underway for 300 Nigerian nurses and five Nigerian
“We met the FAA standards for each operator, and became family medicine physicians. Two Western-trained surgeons
an FAA-approved repair station.” Don says. When existing serving at at the hospital are preparing to add a surgery
customers began moving up to larger planes, Banyan learned residency program. The facility has a pathology lab, cervical
to service them, and the company grew. cancer screening unit, and an electronic medical records
Banyan’s key to success, Don says, is consistently surpassing system. Major progress came when Starlink high speed
customers’ expectations. “We really listen and strive to build internet service became available. Other goals for this year:
strong relationships with them,” he says. “We give them constructing a new surgery center and acquiring a mobile
services they don’t expect or ask for.” Need a car rental? clinic van to reach nearby villages.
What make and color? Want a hotel or dinner reservation?
Done. “Whatever we do, let’s do it with excellence,” he adds. Best practices

Journey to the past Don brings the same commitment to best practices, which
he calls the Banyan Way, to Egbe as he does to the aviation
In 2008, Don decided it would be fun to take his wife, facility. Having established procedures in place assures
Sueanne, to see the place he grew up. His childhood house that things are done correctly and eliminates possible
was still standing. But the hospital, no longer under SIM’s disagreements among the diverse African groups, he says.
jurisdiction, had deteriorated dramatically. “There was no Locally, Banyan is proud of contributing to the Fort Lauderdale
electricity and no running water,” Don recalls. “And it was the community by bringing in business. “We see ourselves as a
only hospital within 100 miles.” gateway to Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas,” Don says.
The Campions wanted to restore the facility, yet at first, “We’re the first thing people see when they fly here. We want
Don doubted whether his responsibilities at Banyan would to be responsive to the community we serve.

Villagers assisting with the removal of old buildings to make room for the new Don loves living in Coral Ridge Country Club Estates because
of its proximity to the beach and friendly residents. He’s also
a longtime supporter of this magazine. Why? “Many in our
neighborhood have airplanes or charter aircraft,” he says.
He realizes he hasn’t accomplished everything on his own. It’s
the people who work at Banyan, many who have been there
for decades, who shape the company. “God has blessed us
immensely with fantastic teammates,” he says. “Service is our
product…but our strength is our people.”
Visit Banyan Air online at www.banyanair.com. For more on the
Egbe Hospital restoration project, see www.egbehospital.org.

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