Aerospace Professionals

 

OUR  MISSION      The   mission   of   the   Organization   of   Black   Aerospace   Professionals   is   to  enhance,  advance  and  promote  educational  opportunities  in  aerospace  and  to   develop   and   sustain   a   process   for   mentoring   of   youth   from   cradle   to  career.      

                       Vision  Statement  The   vision   of   the   Organization   of   Black   Aerospace   Professionals   is   to  commit  to  the  realization  of  an  aerospace  industry  in  which  all  individuals  have  equal  opportunities  to  expansive  careers.      Objectives  

• To  motivate  youth  to  become  educationally  prepared  for  life  • To  increase  minority  participation  in  aviation  and  aerospace  through  

exposure,  training,  mentoring  and  scholarships  • To  increase  the  number  of  underrepresented  minority  professionals,  

engineers,   scientists   and   management   personnel   in   aviation   and  related  industries  

• To   better   assist   our   organization,   membership   concerns   and  constituencies.  

     

   

HISTORY    In  1976  Ben  Thomas,  a  young  African  American  pilot  with  Eastern  Airlines,  spearheaded   an   effort   to   form   a   permanent   body   to   address   the   lack   of  diversity   in   aviation.     He   invited   thirty-­‐seven   African   American   pilots,  representing  nearly  50%  of  the  industry  total  at  the  time,  to  convene  at  O-­‐Hare  Hilton  Hotel  in  Chicago  on  September  17th  and  18th.    The  Organization  of  Black  Aerospace  Professionals  (OBAP),  then  called  The  Organization   of   Black   Airline   Pilots,   was   formed   as   a   result   of   that  collaborative  meeting  with  a  focus  of  preparing  youth  and  young  adults   to  realize  successful  careers  in  aviation.      The  organization  quickly  became  a  prominent  advocate  and  thought-­‐leader  in   improving   conditions   industry-­‐wide.   In   1986,   OBAP's   General   Counsel  and  Eastern  First  Officer  Eddie  Hadden  testified  before  a  U.S.  Congressional  hearing  on  airline   industry  hiring  practices.  As  a  result,  Congress  began  to  strengthen  accountability  measures  to  monitor  the  performance  of  minority  recruiting.   In   1994   OBAP   member   and   Pan   Am   Pilot   Ed   Moon   offered  additional   testimony   before   a   similar   session.   The   hearing   brought  increased  awareness  of  the  lack  of  diversity  within  the  airlines,  encouraging  swift   changes   to   industry   standards   in   direct   partnership   with   minority  organizations   like   OBAP.     Additionally,   the   testimonies   helped   to   increase  available  pilot  positions  and  opportunities  for  people  of  color  and  elevated  the  civil  rights  issue  to  a  high  priority  for  government  officials  nationwide.      The   unwavering   commitment   to   increase   diversity   by   leading   aviation  professionals,   many   of   which   have   been   OBAP   members,   increased   the  number  of  African  American  pilots  by  more  than  400%  between  1976  and  1986,  just  10  years.  Of  the  400  African  American  pilots  at  the  time,  14  were  women  with  the  most  notable  Bessie  Coleman  paving  the  way.    Beginning  in  1992,  in  an  effort  to  augment  the  dwindling  military  supply  of  pilots,   then   OBAP   President,   Captain   M.   Perry   Jones   encouraged   the   U.S.  Congress   to   appoint   a   panel   and   fund   a   2-­‐year   study   by   the   National  Academy   of   Sciences   to   evaluate   the   nation's   supply,   demand,   and  production  capacity   for  airline  pilots  beyond  the  year  2000.    As  a  result  of  the   study,   the   U.S.   Armed   Forces   became   obligated   to   increase   minority  participation   in   the   military,   allotting   positions   designated   solely   for  minority  pilots.      OBAP  continues  to  recognize  and  strengthen  opportunities  for  collaboration  with   organizations   including   the   Tuskegee   Airmen   Inc.   (TAI)   and   Black  Wings   in   Aviation   (NAI)   who   have   served   as   passionate   advocates   for  African  Americans  in  aviation  for  more  than  70  years.    In   1982   the   organizations   collaborated   to   provide   invaluable   historical  accounts   of   African   Americans   in   aviation   for   the   "Black   Wings"   exhibit  presented   by   the   Smithsonian’s   National   Air   and   Space   Museum   and   the  Smithsonian  Institution  Traveling  Exhibition  Service.  The  exhibition  is  being  toured  nationally  until  early  2016.    

Aerospace Professionals

 

   

HISTORY  cont.    OBAP  took  the  opportunity  to  convene  joint  national  conventions  with  TAI  and   NAI   in   the   1990s.     During   this   time,   OBAP   served   a   leading   role   in  establishing  FAA-­‐endorsed  Aviation   Career   Education   (ACE)  Academies   to  introduce,  educate  and  guide  diverse  students   towards  careers   in  aviation.  In   1992,   OBAP   supported   two   ACE   Academies   reaching   41   students.   In  1994,  we  co-­‐sponsored  17  Academies  and  reached  more  than  400  students.  Today,  OBAP's  ACE  Academies  provide  exposure  to   the  history  of  aviation,  fundamentals   of   aerodynamics,   air  traffic   control   procedures,  aerospace  technologies   and   a   host   of   aviation   careers   to  more   than   1,100  students  in  30  cities  nationwide.    

           In   2005,   OBAP   established   four   Centers   of   Excellence   in   Memphis,  Louisville,   Atlanta   and   Houston   to   provide   centralized   community-­‐based  resources  that  would  ensure  youth  engagement  from  childhood  through  to  established   aviation   careers.   In   Houston,   under   the   leadership   of   Xavier  Samuels,   a   United   Airlines   first   officer   pilot,   youth   are   first   introduced   to  aviation   through   Aerospace   Professionals   in   Schools   (APIS)   initiatives  through   longstanding   relationships  with   the   Houston   Independent   School  District,  Texas  Association  of  Partners   in  Education  (TAPE)  and  the  City  of  Houston.  Once   in  middle  school,  youth  have  the  opportunity   to  participate  in   Aviation   Career   Education   (ACE)   Academies   held   each   summer   in  partnership  with  Army  ROTC  among  others.    Additionally  in  Houston,  OBAP  continues   a   12-­‐year   partnership   with   Sterling   High   School   and   Texas  Southern  University  to  guide  young-­‐adults  throughout  their  academic  path.  From   2006   to   present,   with   the   support   of   strategic   partners   like   the  Tuskegee  Airmen  Inc.,  National  Black  Coalition  of  Federal  Aviation,  and  the  Federal  Aviation  Administration,  the  Houston  Center  of  Excellence  alone  has  reached  more  than  50,000  youth.    OBAP  is  proud  of  the  unwavering  commitment  of  its  members  for  nearly  40  years.   U.S.  Census  Bureau  2010   reports   state   that  African  Americans,  men  and  women,   account   for   just   over   6%  of   the   266,135   aircraft   pilots,   flight  engineers,   air   traffic   controllers,   airfield   operations   specialists   and   flight  attendants  employed  nationwide.    Therefore  our  efforts  continue,  stronger  than  ever,   to  effectively   implement   lasting  change  on  behalf  of  our  diverse  member  base  and  to  meet  the  projected  needs  of  the  industry.      

Aerospace Professionals

 

     

CAPTAIN  KARL  MINTER  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  CHAIR  

 

Captain  Karl  Minter  is  a  B-­‐767  Captain  for  United  Airlines  with  over  19,500  hours  of   flying  experience.  Capt.  Minter  is  Chairman  of   the  Organization  of  Black  Aerospace  Professionals  (OBAP),  a  501(c)(3)  non-­‐profit  organization.  Capt.   Minter   is   also   a   retired   Lt.   Colonel   with   26   years   of   service   in   the  United  States  Air  Force  Reserve,  serving  in  multiple  assignments   including  HQ   USAF,   DCS   Plans   and   Programs,   and   the   Office   of   the   Secretary   of  Defense  (OSD),  Executive  Support  Center  at  the  Pentagon.  Capt.  Minter  is  an  Aviation   Subject  Matter   Expert   (SME)  with  Aircraft   Accident   Investigation  Credentials.   He   is   an   engaged   community   leader,   Board   Member   for   the  Friends   of   Tuskegee   National   Historic   Site   (FTANHS),   and  member   of   the  Board   of   Trustees,   Tuskegee   University.   Capt.   Minter   also   consults   with  aviation   industry   leaders   on   next   generation   technologies,   training,  mentoring  and  human  capital  development.  

 

He  was  a  combat  decorated  command  pilot  who  flew  missions  to  Grenada,  Panama,  Desert-­‐Shield,  and  Desert-­‐Storm,  while  providing  safe  and  efficient  worldwide   transport   to   the   Department   of  Defense,  Whitehouse   staff   and  national  leaders.  

Capt.   Minter   has   numerous   medals,   citations,   and   certificates   from   his  military   service   career.   Since   becoming   a   pilot   for   United   Airlines,   Capt.  Minter   has   flown   DC-­‐10’s,   B-­‐757/767’s,   and   B-­‐777’s,   B-­‐737   (Line   Check  Airmen),  and  the  Airbus  319  /  320  aircraft.  

As   Chairman,   he   is   directly   responsible   for   the   development   of   critical  partnerships  between  industry,  educational  institutions  and  the  community  to  maximize  the  exposure  of  our  youth   to  Aerospace,   Science,  Technology,  Engineering,  and  Mathematics  (STEM)  career  fields.    

Capt.  Minter  is  married  with  three  grown  children,  and  they  live  in  northern  Virginia.  

 

Aerospace Professionals

 

Captain   Minter   is   originally   from   St.  Albans  Queens,  NY.  He  has  been  involved  in  aviation  for  the  last  41  years.  He  has  a  B.S.  from  Embry-­‐Riddle  University,  and  a  MBA   (Honors   Graduate)   from   Regis  University.   He   has   worked   for   Sikorsky  Aircraft   Company   in   Stratford,   CT,   as   a  Flight  Test  Engineer  prior  to  becoming  a  pilot   for   the   United   States   Air   Force.  Capt.   Minter   flew   C-­‐141B   “Star-­‐lifters”  both   at   McGuire   AFB,   NJ,   and   Andrews  AFB,  MD.  He  also  flew  C-­‐20B  aircrafts  at  the   89th   Presidential   Airlift   Wing   at  Andrews  AFB,  MD.    

   

Aerospace Professionals

 

CAROLE  HOPSON  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  VICE  CHAIR  

 

Carole   Hopson   is   a   professional   pilot,   and   works   as   a   flight   instructor   in  Morristown,  NJ.    

 

She   began   her   career   as   a   police   reporter   and   has  worked   for   the  Bergen  Record   and   The   Philadelphia   Inquirer.   She   has   also   held   executive-­‐level  positions  with  the  National  Football  League  and  L’Oreal  Cosmetics.  

Mrs.  Hopson  graduated  from  Columbia  University  in  1990,  with  a  Masters  of  Science  degree  in  Journalism,  and  she  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  from  the   University   of   Virginia.   While   at   Virginia,   she   majored   in   Spanish  Literature.    

Carole  and  husband,  Michael  Hopson,  have  two  sons,   Joshua  and  Coleman,  and  they  make  their  home  in  Montclair,  New  Jersey.  

       

Aviation   had   always   been   her   passion,   so  she   pursued   flying   as   a   second   career,  while  raising  her  family.  Although  aviation  is   her   current   vocation,   previously   she  spent   seven   years   as   the   Vice  President/Director   for   Training   &  Development  of  Foot  Locker  stores.  There,  she   headed   up   executive-­‐level   leadership  coaching,   as   well   as   store   associate  training,   creating   original   product  knowledge   videos   and   sales   training   for  over  140,000  associates.  

 

     

CAPTAIN  ALBERT  GLENN  BOARD  OF  ADVISORS    

   Captain  Albert  Glenn,  FedEx  pilot,  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Advisory  Board  for   the  Organization  of  Black  Aerospace  Professionals  (OBAP)  and  Former  Managing   Director   Of   Global   Flight   Operations   for   FedEx   Express  Corporation.  

 

Capt.   Glenn   has   served   as   Associate   Vice   President   for   the   Academy   of  Model   Aeronautics,   the   leading   non-­‐profit   organization   for   model   aircraft  aviation.     He   is   also   currently   on   the  Aviation  Advisory   Board   at  Western  Michigan  University.    He  was  also  the  2007-­‐2011  USA  F3A  Aerobatic   team  manager.  As  a  member  of  the  Tuskegee  Airmen  and  advisor  to  OBAP,  Capt.  Glenn   works   with   the   Project   Aerospace   youth-­‐based   initiatives;   ACE  Academy,  Solo  Flight  Academy,  Aerospace  Professionals  in  Schools  and  with  Wooddale   High   School   in   Memphis   and   B.C.   Rain   High   School   in   Mobile,  Alabama  supporting  their  aviation  programs.  

Capt.  Glenn‘s  wife,  Janice,  is  a  senior  manager  for  FedEx.    He  has  three  sons;  one   is   a   MD11   first   officer   for   FedEx,   another   works   with   Amnesty  International,  and  the  youngest  flies  UAVs  (drones)  and  was  recently  named  the   FAI   F3A  National   Champion   at   the  AMA  Nats   2015,   the   89th  National  Aeromodeling   Championship   presented   by   the   National   Society   of   Radio  Control   Aerobatics.   He   is   the   very   first   African   American   to   earn   this  achievement.    

Capt.   Glenn   has   set   deep   roots   in   the   Memphis   community   since   moving  there   in   1972.     He   has   a   Bachelor   Degree   in   Political   Science   from   the  University   of   Memphis   and   is   a   member   of   Grace   United   Methodist  Church.    Capt.  Glenn  has  devoted  most  of  his  life  to  training  youth  who  have  the  desire  to  be  part  of  the  future  of  the  aerospace  industry.  

 

Aerospace Professionals

 

Captain   Glenn’s   career   at   FedEx   spans  over   41   years.   He   has   served   numerous  management   positions   at   FedEx   from  Flight   Duty   Officer   to   Chief   Pilot.   He   has  over  14,000  flight  hours  and  is  qualified  in  B777,  MD11,   DC10   and   B727   aircraft.   He  worked  with   customer   service,   the   global  operation   control   center,   and   pilot  hiring.  He   began   his   flying   career   as   an  instrument   and   multi   engine   flight  instructor,   135-­‐charter   pilot,   and   worked  in  aircraft  sales.