This Week's Photo Album
Thursday, January 17, 2013

Call Him "Chairman" LoBiondo Now!

This week House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., named Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., the new House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman. Congressman LoBiondo is a longtime champion of aviation safety, and NATCA has enjoyed a good relationship with him for many years. He has appeared at NATCA in Washington on several occasions, including in the 2008 photo below, when he accepted NATCA's Sentinel of Safety Award. The award honors those who have displayed outstanding achievement in the advancement of aviation safety.

To read NATCA's press release from that 2008 event please click here.




Collaboration Oversight Group Meets at National Office to Plan for 2013

The Collaboration Oversight Group (COG) -- formerly known as the Collaborative Working Group -- met this week at the National Office to plan out a busy 2013 agenda. The COG is expanding the delivery of the interest-based communication (IBC) training program to more of the agency, as well as expanding the teaching cadre. By the end of January, nearly all air traffic managers and facility representatives will have been trained on IBC.



NATCA Collaboration Oversight Group National Coordinator Russ Miller (center) listens during a discussion with COG counterparts from the FAA, along with NATCA COG Representatives Andrew LeBovidge (left) and Dean Iacopelli (right).



(From left to right) Rick Wallace (left), Manager of the FAA's Organizational Effectiveness (OE) Office, Dave Ritchey, the FAA's COG National Coordinator who works in the OE Office and FAA Terminal District Manager for the Orchard (Chicago) Hub, Glen Martin. Not pictured, but at the meeting, are FAA Air Traffic Organization Vice President of Terminal Walt Cochran and Shelly Mlakar, FAA Director of Human Resources Field Operations. Both Cochran and Mlakar are also members of the Collaborative Steering Committee.


Holiday Wrap up: Miami Center (ZMA) Hand NCF Donate to the Giving Tree

ZMA and NCF proudly served over 70 families in the Miami area children's foster family network over the holidays. ZMA Facility Representative Steve Wallace gave his appreciation to those members, stating that the ZMA family "are truly a group always willing to give from the bounty we have."

He continued, "Thank you so very much for bringing smiles to those who might not otherwise have experienced the real spirit of Christmas — Giving."


ZMA displays their holiday spirit.


Some of the toys given to the Giving Tree.


EWP Holiday Luncheon


(Pictured from left to right) NATCA Engineers Western Pacific (EWP) Local President and Airports National Representative, Sam Samad, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., Western Pacific Regional Vice President Ham Ghaffari, Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert and Region X Vice President Mike MacDonald. Last month’s NATCA EWP holiday luncheon turned out to be a rare and gala event, with over 100 in attendance. "Not only did it feature notable and honored guests, it also showcased the 'one FAA' model, in a manner where truly, actions spoke louder than words," Samad said.  "National Congressional leadership, NATCA leadership and regional management, met and celebrated as a group." Retiring Western Pacific Regional Administrator Bill Withycombe was there, as was the Agency’s retiring Engineering Services Manager for the FAA’s Western Service Area, Bob Kitson.