On Friday, April 8, the College welcomed Terry McVenes, president and CEO of Radio Technical Commision of Aviation (RTCA). McVenes has more than 30 years of experience in the aviation industry dating back to when he was studying engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder.  

His presentation discussed his early career ambitions and how that shaped his life. McVenes stated that he always had an interest in planes when he was a kid, and he earned his private pilot’s license while enrolled in college. After graduating, McVenes quit his first job and pursued a career as a pilot. For more than 20 years McVenes was a commercial airline pilot for Rocky Mountain Airways, Pacific Southwest Airways and US Airways. After initially retiring, McVenes joined RTCA due to his interest in flight safety after aviation accidents. RTCA develops performance standards that are used by companies to design products such as GPS and TCAS. RTCA works in conjunction with other organizations including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  

Towards the end of his presentation McVenes shared valuable career advice to students looking to step into the aviation industry.  

At the end of his presentation, students and faculty had the opportunity to ask McVenes advice for students early in their careers and cybersecurity in the aviation industry.