Six SAFE members are competing for three open seats on the SAFE Board of Directors The 2017 annual election will be held electronically using the Internet-based voting site place.net. All current SAFE members will receive an individual email later this month or in early June with instructions on how to access the voting site, which will require entry of your SAFE membership number. .
The six nominees are: Taylor Albrecht, Hartsel, CO; David Dempsey, New York, NY; Charlie McDougal, San Antonio, TX; Charlie Rockwell, Pawlet, VT; H.C. “Hobie” Tomlinson, Huntington, VT and Mike Vivion, Bozeman, MT. All have extensive general aviation experience and special expertise in other areas of business and industry that are expected to benefit the organization. The three winners will take their seats on the Board immediately following the annual SAFE membership meeting at AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.
Each nominee’s resume, along with their answers to three specific questions, is posted below, so SAFE members can read about the nominees’ professional experience and qualifications to serve on the Board as well as learn more about their vision for SAFE’s future. Each nominee’s email address appears at the top of his Q&A statement in case a SAFE member would like to contact the nominee to ask a question or get more information about something said in the nominee’s written statement. All six nominees were interviewed earlier this year by the SAFE Governance Committee and the slate of nominees was accepted in mid-April by the SAFE Board of Directors.
“We’re hoping for an exceptional turnout at the virtual polls this year,” said SAFE Chair David St. George. “Last year’s election had the highest member participation to date, at 20 percent of all eligible SAFE members voting, and we’d like to top that this year.”
2017 SAFE Board Elections – Candidate Questions & Answers
D.T. “Taylor” Albrecht, Jr. [Resume]
- Why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
I want to be involved with a national organization that is dedicated to increasing the quality of aviation education.
- How will your aviation and professional background, special talents, and leadership skills help to further SAFE’s mission and goals? Please be specific.
I have been involved in the creation and management of several pilot proficiency programs, including an IMC Club. I have an intense desire to help improve the quality and consistency of aviation education. Through my experience and success as a business development manager, business unit manager and business owner, I am able to help get programs created and implemented that meet specific proficiency goals.
- What do you see as the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE and for SAFE’s Board of Directors in the next three years based on SAFE’s current mission and vision statements?
The dynamic political and economic climates require forward thinking and an adaptive organization to achieve goals. The pilot shortage, shrinking pilot population, introduction of Unmanned Aerial Systems to the NAS and changes to regulations are all issues that will require active participation by SAFE and other aviation organizations to insure our voice is heard and understood in these and other matters. See resume here.
David Dempsey [Resume]
- Why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
Having served on numerous Boards, many in the non-profit world as well as a NYSE listed fund Board, It would be very exciting to serve on the SAFE Board and use my Board skills, especially as I have been a founder member and I have also volunteered for SAFE every year since inception.
- How will your aviation and professional background, special talents, and leadership skills help to further SAFE’s mission and goals? Please be specific.
As a long time Master CFI, co-founder of an Aviation Training School, founder of the NYC area Master CFI/Pilot group, management consultant and investment banker, leadership skills have always been at the forefront.
- What do you see as the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE and for SAFE’s Board of Directors in the next 3 years based on SAFE’s current mission and vision Statements.
SAFE has worked tirelessly to improve the quality and professionalism of its members, but flight educators desperately want more frequent contact with fellow aviators and pilots, which also facilitates mentoring. Has SAFE ventured out into the hearts and minds of its members, other than two times a year? Subject to Board discussion and direction, can SAFE consider the creation of regional/local conference (video) calls and meetings around topics of interest? Could this or other similar projects result in a significant increase in membership? In short, can SAFE consider a more outward strategic focus over time to add to the impressive but more inward focus, it has already demonstrated? See resume here.
Charlie McDougal [Resume]
- Why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
I had not considered involvement with SAFE until Ken Wittekiend suggested I should. While I am currently on sabbatical from teaching, I have been a passionate aviation educator for my entire flying career. I feel an obligation to communicate things I know to be true about the process, the industry, and the regulation of flight training.
- How will your aviation and professional background, special talents, and leadership skills help to further SAFE’s mission and goals? Please be specific.
During my progression from a new CFI to Chief Instructor and through a 15-year stint as a DPE, my understanding of what works and what does not in flight training has crystalized into firm concepts. About these I will continue to write, speak, and advance in whatever way possible, including speaking to and mentoring flight instructors.
- What do you see as the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE and SAFE’s Board of Directors in the next three years based on SAFE’s current mission and vision statements?
The loss of control pandemic is the current boogie man of aviation. The reasons for it evolved from complexity, but are ultimately simple. Loss of control is due to the failure to control attitude (and energy) of the aircraft. The increase in LOC accident percentages is due to the de-emphasis of attitude flying concepts and techniques throughout the training industry. The only cure for the unacceptable high rate of loss of control accidents in general aviation all the way to Part 121 is to change the way we train and test flight instructors. This must be our emphasis. No additional gadget on the panel will fix this problem; sparking a renascence of understanding and application of attitude flying concepts and techniques among flight instructors will. See resume here.
Charles E Rockwell [Resume]
- Why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
I have always enjoyed the challenge of improving things, and being part of the solutions. I believe members have the responsibility to participate in the process of growing and bettering their organization. Although I have been teaching for 48 years, I have only been a CFI for a few years. As such, I believe I can bring the perspective of new CFIs to the Board.
- How will your aviation and professional background, special talents, and leadership skills help to further SAFE’s mission and goals? Please be specific.
As the past President of a mentoring organization, I am well aware of the importance of mentoring. Through my military and ski teaching background, I am vested in developing and providing professional educational opportunities at all levels. Excellence is a critical component of professionalism.
My writing and outreach skills and experience can help provide SAFE member and organizational promotional messaging to the various email newsletters such as AvWeb, AOPA, etc.
As a retired Army Colonel, and currently serving at the state and local levels, I have years of experience interfacing with our government. Due to my ski industry experience, I am also comfortable with interacting within the aviation industry. My military and other leadership positions speak to my leadership skills.
- What do you see as the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE and for SAFE’s Board of Directors in the next three years based on SAFE’s current mission and vision Statements?
With many new CFIs seeking only 1500 hours before heading to the airlines, many DPEs have commented on the diminished quality of applicants. SAFE hosting relevant seminars and symposia to improve professionalism, knowledge, continuing education, and mentoring will go a long way in fulfilling the mission and vision of SAFE. It is also critical to ensure the growth and financial sustainability of the organization. See resume here.
H.C. “Hobie” Tomlinson [Resume]
- Why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
I am interested in serving on the SAFE Board of Directors because I was very
fortunate to have had mentors from the pilot group who flew during WW II. They willingly shared their knowledge and expertise during my formative years and I would like to “pass it on” by being in a position to be a positive influence on the next generation of aviation educators.
- How will your aviation and professional background, special talents, and leadership skills help to further SAFE’s mission and goals? Please be specific.
I have spent my career as a professional aviator and have always ended up
teaching in whatever type of operation I was active in. I feel this broad teaching experience will be an asset in helping accomplish SAFE’s mission and goals of assisting in the development of the next generation of aviation educators
- What do you see as the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE’s Board of directors in the next 3 years, based on SAFE’s current mission and vision statements?
I see one of the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE’s Board of
Directors during the next three years as the need to devise ways to interest more young instructors in staying active in teaching, increasing their professionalism, and being active in supporting the improvement of general aviation flight training experience and quality. See resume here.
Michael Vivion [Resume]
- Why do you want to serve on the SAFE Board of Directors?
Flight instructors hold one of the keys to increasing the numbers of aviators in this country. By recruiting new starts and working to retain students, Instructors can have a positive influence on this declining population. Instructors need tools to improve their students’ flight training experience. SAFE is positioned to influence decision makers and has the ability to influence flight training safety and efficacy going forward. I believe that I can contribute to that effort as a member of the Board of SAFE.
- How will your aviation and professional background, special talents, and leadership skills help to further SAFE’s mission and goals? Please be specific.
My flying and instruction is focused on basic airmanship skills. These are the skills which can reduce the general aviation accident rate. Experience in a University aviation program illustrated to me the difficulties aspiring aviators face. Judging the national General Aviation Awards program provided the opportunity to become familiar with the activities of some of the best instructors, mechanics and FAASTeam Reps in the country.
- What do you see as the most pressing concerns and/or tasks for SAFE and for SAFE’s Board of Directors in the next 3 years based on SAFE’s current mission and vision Statements.
- SAFE should focus on improving basic airmanship skills in flight training, while integrating technology with those basic skills.
- Finding and promoting opportunities for instructors to improve their skills and knowledge should be a priority.
- SAFE should encourage the FAA to increase participation in the National Aviation Awards program.
- SAFE should also encourage participation in the Master Instructor programs.
The integration of drones into the NAS will have a profound effect on aviation. SAFE can be a leader in representing the interests of aviators as we advocate for a safe and productive transition. See resume here.