A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/687483
Your login credentials to access the new BBS are the same ones you ' re currently using to access the members side of the new natca.or g site: username and password is the same one you use to access the NATCA Portal. First - time users of the Portal and members side of the website should go to portal.natca.org for a quick and easy registration and sign - in. You can use either bbs.natca.org or bbs.natca.net to access the new BBS. NATCA PRESIDENT PAUL RINALDI HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS 2016 HUMANITARIAN AWARD FROM SONS OF ITALY FOUNDATION At an extraordinary event on May 26 that celebrated the intersection of heritage, family, community servic e, career, and service to the Union and others, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi received the prestigious 2016 Humanitarian Award from the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) at its National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala in Washington, D.C. The SIF is t he philanthropic arm of the Order Sons of Italy, the nation's largest and oldest organization for people of Italian heritage. "It's humbling," Rinaldi said. "The Sons of Italy have been a large part of our lives. My first communion was at the Sons of Italy hall in Oceanside (New York). It really is a tremendous honor." Rinaldi received support at the event from many NATCA brothers and sisters, including Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert, the rest of the National Executive Board (NEB), the 2016 Contract Team, Canadian Air Traffic Control Association President Peter Duffey, and several members of the National Office staff. Also attending were Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer Teri Bristol and former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Before Rinaldi accepted his award and spoke, a special video introduced the audience to Rinaldi and the story of his life, family, and career. The video included tributes from Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo, and former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jerry Costello, former NATCA Eastern Region RVP Phil Barbarello, NATCA Eastern Region RVP Dean Iacopelli, Babbitt, Gilbert, Rinaldi's wife Debra, daughter Olivia, and sons Anthony and Nicholas. " For NATCA ' s president to be recognized with such a distinguished award is a testament to his dedication to the great men and women he represents, " Gilbert said. " The award also confirms the significa nt respect and appreciation that NATCA has garnered and the workforce deserves. " To read our full coverage from the NATCA Insider, please click here . NATCA HONORS RETIRING SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR DALE WRIGHT WITH THE UNION'S HIGHEST HONOR – THE JOHN THORNTON AWARD NATCA last week celebrated the wonderful career of Safety and Technology Di rector Dale Wright with a retirement dinner honoring his more than three decades in air traffic control and his tireless work in support of furthering aviation safety, the ATC profession, the workforce, and the Union. Wright, whom NATCA President Paul Rina ldi called "a NATCA treasure," was presented with the Union's highest honor, the John Thornton Award, which is given in recognition of extraordinary contributions that have significantly changed the course of NATCA's history. Wright first began his career in the Air Force, working at Berlin Center in Germany and England Air Force Base in Louisiana before joining the FAA in 1983 in Atlanta. He spent the majority of his air traffic career in Charlotte before retiring from the FAA in 2007 and accepting a posit ion at NATCA as the Director of Safety and Technology.