Industry pros join aviation college leadership team
Aug. 26, 2003
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., --Two longtime United Airlines flight executives have been appointed to positions on the leadership team of the Western Michigan University College of Aviation.
Capt. Dave Powell of Palm City, Fla., has been named director of operations and assistant dean in the college, while Capt. Stephen K. Jones of Middleburg, Fla., will take over as director of safety and simulation. Both appointments were effective Aug. 25.
"These two individuals bring an incredible amount of industry knowledge and industry credibility to this program," says Capt. Rick Maloney, dean of the College of Aviation. "They will be instrumental in our efforts to make this college the No. 1 choice for both prospective students and the industry that will hire them."
Powell comes to WMU from United's Miami and San Francisco flight operations facilities, where he has served as chief pilot since 1999. In that capacity, he was responsible for all aspects of flight operations at those two locations, including safety of flight qualification for up to 1,650 line pilots. Prior to that, he served from 1996 to 1999 as flight manager at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where he managed daily flight operations for United's largest hub.
A member of the United team since 1986, Powell also served the airline as a line pilot and captain. In addition, as a pilot instructor for the airline, he was the first instructor selected for the rollout of the Airbus fleet, and he developed training materials for that fleet and for a basic first officers' course for all new United pilots.
Before launching his commercial aviation career, Powell, who is an Arizona State University graduate, served in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years, with 10 years logged in as a senior pilot, aircraft commander, instructor and flight examiner.
Jones comes to WMU after working for United since 1989, most recently at the airline's Miami operations. He was named an assistant chief pilot and flight manager for United in 1997 and performed that role in both Miami and Anchorage, Alaska. Prior to joining United, Jones was an aviator for the U.S. Navy for 20 years, where he completed seven tours of duty, two of them as a flight instructor.
Jones, who holds both military and civilian safety certification credentials, has an extensive record of flight training accomplishments with the Navy and United. Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he developed an eight-hour safety and security procedures course to meet new federal guidelines. He personally delivered the training to more than 300 of United's Miami-based pilots.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and he earned a master's degree from Central Michigan University.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu