I have been selected for Cohort 9 in the Program for Emerging Leaders with the Federal Aviation Administration. The Program for Emerging Leaders (PEL) is a rigorous 18-month leadership development program open to full-time, non-supervisory employees and is part of the FAA‘s commitment to developing leaders at all levels.The PEL ExperiencePEL participants enhance their leadership skills through a variety of self-directed activities and required coursework. Core program components include:Individual Development PlanWith guidance from mentors and managers and based on feedback from a multi-rater assessment, PEL participants chart a course for individual leadership and career growth. SeminarsPEL participants take part in a variety of course seminars designed to increase knowledge in critical leadership areas, such as self-management, leading change, resolving interpersonal issues, optimizing team performance and forging breakthroughs. Some seminars take place in person, others occur virtually. MentoringThroughout the 18-month program, PEL participants have the opportunity to be mentored by senior leaders in the FAA. Development ActivitiesGuided by their IDP, mentor and manager, participants select 90 days worth of developmental activities to help them grow in targeted areas. Examples include: details, shadows, leading training, serving as a representative on a higher-level committee or working group, performing an inter-FAA or inter-Agency rotational assignment, among others. Group Learning ProjectTeams of four-five participants from across the FAA identify a challenge or need in the Agency and devise a solution together under the guidance of an executive sponsor.

I am well-versed in air traffic control procedures, ATC facility operations and administration. I am an expert on the FAA Safety Risk Management program (SRM) and SRM panel facilitation. I also am responsible for facilitating the Safety Risk Management panels convened at the Chicago TRACON. The members of these panels consist of people across the entire spectrum of FAA offices, e.g., Terminal, TRACON and Center facilities, Technical Operations, Engineering, Management, Bargaining Unit Employees and from outside the FAA, e.g., other government agencies (federal, state and local) and airline representatives, pilot organizations, airport authorities.The members of the SRM panel cover a wide spectrum of experiences, each with their own needs, and biases that come into play. These issues can be emotionally charged or possibly controversial, which requires open, frank, discussion that is balanced with respect and compassion.As a Facilitator I am responsible for meeting with the proponent, clarifying the proposal, understanding the climate, explaining the Safety Risk management process, confirming the mission, identifying the people involved, confirming the reference documents and bounding the system. Ultimately, the panel describes the current system state, identifies the hazard(s), analyzes the risk(s), assess the risk(s) and mitigate the risk(s) so the change is implemented safely and with minimum risk into the National Airspace System (NAS).

I analyze quality control data, technical performance date and other data that assess training, procedures, airspace, directives, equipment, and the technical performance of personnel for trends. This data includes but not limited to:(a) Training – Classroom, OJT training hours, briefing items, air traffic simulation, etc.(b) Efficiency – Traffic management initiatives, delays, traffic volume/complexity, etc.(c) Airspace/Airport – Special use airspace , noise abatement procedures, etc.(d) Procedures – Letters of agreement, waivers, standard instrument procedures, etc.(e) Directives – Standard operating practices/procedures, FAA Order(s), Notices to Airmen, etc.(f) Technical Operations – Equipment configuration, performance, outages, etc.(g) Customer feedback – Air Traffic Control System Command Center logs, pilot/airline comments/inquiries, airport operator comments/inquiries, etc.(h) Resource management – Operational position combinations/configurations, personnel assignments, available staffing, position relief management, leave approvals, etc.(i) Operational Skills Assessments – Actions of involved personnel(j) Employee interviewsAll items of risk are identified by measuring compliance to requirements in Air Traffic Organization directives. If the area of risk is an isolated, singular issue or is a systemic risk then I coordinate with the other offices to develop and enact a risk mitigation strategy/plan to address the risk(s) in a timely, efficient fashion.I coordinate with other offices in and outside the facility as appropriate when developing initiatives or taking actions(s) to ensure organizational consistency and effective resource management and communication. I respond to requests and/or actions initiated by Air Traffic Organization Safety in their quality assurance role

I served as the network administrator for all tactical computers systems, e.g., the IDS4 (Information Display System, NTML (National Traffic Management Log, EFSTS (Electronic Flight Strip Transfer System), ARMT (Airport Resource Management Tool), RDVS (Radio Digital Voice Switching), CountOps (Traffic Count Program), ETMS (Enhanced Traffic Management System), and CEDAR (Comprehensive Electronic Data Analysis Reporting).These systems required that I become well versed with the DOS operating system, the Windows operating system, the UNIX operating system and the Linux operating system. The FAA provided no formal training for the following computer systems/programs: IDS4 (Information Display System, EFSTS (Electronic Flight Strip Transfer System), ARMT (Airport Resource Management Tool), RDVS (Radio Digital Voice Switching), CountOps (Traffic Count Program). I taught myself the above systems/program through hands-on training, asking questions, personal research and buying subject related books. Other duties – 1. Obstruction evaluation and airspace analysis which required I analyze the proposed airspace and/or instrument procedure and ensure it meets all FAA compliance requirements. 2. Creating and maintaining the radar video maps.3. Serving on numerous committees and work groups that implemented new procedures and or new equipment, e.g., temporary procedures for the World Cup, temporary procedures for VIP TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions), replacing the old Radar scopes with new ACDs (All Color Displays) Radar scopes.I worked with Technical Operations and Air Traffic from various FAA facilities, Service Area Offices, Regional Offices, Headquarters, Tech Center, and Government Contractors. I am able to speak “technical/computer language” and parse it into laymen’s terms. I was responsible for training my replacements and cross-training other employees on the IDS4 computer system.

I was an Air Traffic ARTS IIIA Automation Specialist. My duties included writing new code (subroutines) that would add functionality or enhance existing functionality to the National Airspace System to enhance the safety and efficiency in the Chicago O'Hare ATCT/TRACON airspace. In addition I was responsible for daily maintenance and supervision of the of IIIA computer system.

I was an Air Traffic ARTS IIIA Automation Specialist. My duties included writing new code (subroutines) that would add functionality or enhance existing functionality to the National Airspace System to enhance the safety and efficiency in the Chicago O'Hare ATCT/TRACON airspace. In addition I was responsible for daily maintenance and supervision of the of IIIA computer system.

DCA ATCT was an up/down facility so my duties included Tower and radar responsibilities. I was a developmental air traffic controller. It was during this time that I was medically disqualified.

I served as a journeyman controller at a level 6 ATCT/TRACON.

I attended the MMAC Air Traffic Controller Screen and Terminal follow-on at the MMAC, Oklahoma City, OK.

6115 - Enlisted AircrewmanNCO Section Chief in a Marine Corp Helicopter squadron I was responsible for the flight and tactical readiness of 4 CH-53E helicopters. I was specifically responsible for the readiness and maintenance performed on "my" helicopter. As an enlisted Aircrewman I flew on helicopters and performed the following duties, signed A/C off as "safe for flight", external loads, all maintenance when in the field, shipboard operations, coordinated maintenance with other shops, performed phase maintenance, tactical operation(s) planning, etc. In addition I inspected the maintenance performed on other A/C and certified the maintenance met all safety requirements.I received an Honorable Discharge.