The NATCA Podcast

Ep21: NATCA Runway Safety/RWSL Representative Bridget Singratanakul (Gee) by NATCA National Office

NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF) President Corrie Conrad (Portland, Ore., ATCT, PDX) reflects on the 25th anniversary of NCF. She talks about the great work being done by member volunteers, the efforts put toward meeting the challenge of growing NCF, and the great personal rewards of donating time, money, and energy to the Foundation. "It's a labor of love," she says. "I knew this would make my heart whole."

Just a couple of weeks after open heart surgery to implant a new prosthetic valve in place of his failing bicuspid aortic valve, longtime Fresno ATCT (FAT) FacRep Jerry O'Gorman says he is feeling great and already well on the road to recovery, anxious to regain his medical and return to the facility. With the love of his wife, Cara, and three young children, a team of great medical professionals, and the incredible support of his NATCA family, O’Gorman tells NATCA Deputy Director of Public Affairs Doug Church in this episode of The NATCA Podcast that he is truly a very fortunate man.

Our NATCA Family has lost 16 members in the last several years to suicide. The latest was Crystal Joy Kendzierski, the FacRep at Tulsa Riverside ATCT (RVS), which has hit our membership, and particularly the Southwest Region, very hard. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States for all ages. Every day, approximately 123 Americans die by suicide. This is the type of tragedy that the NATCA family has unfortunately experienced before, but we are determined to raise awareness of this issue, and hopeful we can reach those that need help. It’s vital that we are aware of the signs of vulnerability and are there to offer appropriate help to our NATCA brothers and sisters who might be struggling. We need to be there for our fellow members in times of need. “I’m here for you” will be a mantra you will see as part of our efforts. Our latest episode of The NATCA Podcast is devoted to discussing this topic and features two members of the Southwest Region, Nick Daniels (Fort Worth Center FacRep) and Mary Ann Hall (Shreveport ATCT Treasurer).

Listen to this week's news, notes, and highlights as reported in the newest issue of The NATCA Insider e-newsletter.

NATCA Director of Safety and Technology Jim Ullmann, who participated in the selection of Archie League Medal of Safety Award winners for the fourth straight year, talks about the 2019 honorees and their great air traffic control work that ensured safety above all. Jim also discusses meeting with his fellow selection panelists and how this awards program - and CFS - have grown over the years.

NATCA Director of Government Affairs Jose Ceballos talks with Deputy Director of Public Affairs Doug Church in an episode of The NATCA Podcast devoted to the federal budget and FAA funding issues. Ceballos discusses this week's House vote to pass a Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) FY2020 appropriations bill, gives a status update on the increasing Congressional support for both H.R. 1108 and S. 762, and analyzes the looming threats posed by the end of fiscal year appropriations on Sept. 30, sequestration, and the debt ceiling issue.

A rundown of NATCA's latest news and notes, as covered by the June 21, 2019 issue of The NATCA Insider e-newsletter for members.

Phil Hughes looks back on his 35-year career, the evolution and growth of NATCA during that time, and the remarkable success of the collaboration initiative between NATCA and the FAA, now nearly a decade old.

National Legislative Committee Chair Steve Weidner talks about what NATCA in Washington first-timers can expect and offers advice on how to get the most out of their experience at this event and in their first time participating in a meeting in a Congressional office.

Ep10 Houston Center Member Dustin Newell: Helping Others With His Love of Aviation by NATCA National Office

Ep11 The Midterm Elections: NLC Member Richard Kennington Explains The Importance by NATCA National Office

Richard Kennington, the Northwest Mountain Region representative to NATCA's National Legislative Committee and the Facility Representative at Portland, Ore., Tower, discusses his workshop class from this year's NATCA in Washington event exploring common myths about politicians and the political process. Kennington examines what it means to lobby Congress and why we, as federal employees and union members, must make it a priority to educate our representatives.

This is the story of American Airlines Flight 1897 on Sunday evening, June 3, as told from the perspective of one of the primary controllers who worked the aircraft, Crystal Lingle of El Paso Tower and TRACON. It was a flight that Crystal says she will never forget.

In the professional and personal lives of every NATCA member and in the never-ending effort to protect the National Airspace System, Barry Krasner made a profound and everlasting difference. The NATCA Family remembers and pays tribute to our brother and dear friend, a founder, charter member, and President Emeritus. His influence reaches every corner of the Union and our represented professions, well beyond the NATCA National Office in Washington, D.C., which is named in his honor.