On Friday, April 24 the management department welcomed the final guest in its spring speaker series, the Hon. Robert Sumwalt of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Sumwalt’s presentation was titled “Improving Safety Through Accident Investigation” and focused on the Board’s efforts to make flying safer.

“Our main mission is to improve safety,” said Sumwalt. “We investigate accidents, and then try to make suggestions on how to avoid similar accidents in the future.”

The presentation introduced Vaughn students to the NTSB, and explained their function and position in the transportation industry. Sumwalt then walked the students through an actual accident investigation, from the point of notification to the Board making suggestions for future preventive measures.

“It’s so important to have speakers like Mr. Sumwalt on campus,” said Dr. Maxine Lubner, chair of the management department. “Presentations like this emphasize the importance of safety and diligence in the transportation industry. His experiences offer insight to so many of Vaughn’s management students, as well as students in our maintenance and aircraft operations programs.”

Sumwalt closed his presentation by taking questions from the students, and thanking the management department for having him on campus.

The management department will continue its speaker series in the fall.

The Hon. Robert Sumwalt speaks to Vaughn students on Friday, April 24.