NATCA Hosts Meet and Greet for FAA Academy Trainees in Oklahoma City

Sep 26, 2025

On September 3, NATCA hosted a meet and greet for FAA Academy trainees. About 60 attendees joined the event. For this event, the entire NATCA National Executive Board (NEB) was in attendance, giving students the opportunity to hear directly from all of NATCA's top leadership.

NATCA President Nick Daniels underscored the importance of union solidarity. "We can wish for a lot of things, but we deal with the realities of being government employees," he said. Daniels shared lessons from air traffic control history and stressed the role NATCA plays in shaping facility choice, protecting bargaining rights, and preparing for modernization. "The reason you'll get the chance to contribute to the choice of what facility you want to go to is because of the Union," he said.

Executive Vice President Mick Devine emphasized NATCA's commitment to members' success. "We put a lot of resources into the training. It matters to us that you are successful," he said. Devine described the excitement of reaching a first facility, whether "looking out your first tower window or walking into your first dark TRACON," and reminded trainees that "you will have so much support, and everyone wants to see you succeed."

NATCA National Training Representative Jamaal Haltom encouraged trainees to stay focused and engaged. Haltom reminded attendees that NATCA members help write the Academy curriculum and urged them to share their needs and questions. He also noted that while pay is important, most academy students continue to prioritize location when choosing facilities.

The NEB members in attendance included:

• Nick Daniels, President
• Mick Devine, Executive Vice President
• Clint Lancaster, Alaskan Regional Vice President (NAL)
• Aaron Merrick, Central Regional Vice President (NCE)
• Mike Christine, Eastern Regional Vice President (NEA)
• Drew MacQueen, Great Lakes Regional Vice President (NGL)
• Kevin Curtiss, New England Regional Vice President (NNE)
• Stephanie "Steph" Winder, Northwest Mountain Regional Vice President (NNM)
• Mark Rausch, Region X Regional Vice President (NRX)
• Dan McCabe, Southern Regional Vice President (NSO)
• John Bratcher, Southwest Regional Vice President (NSW)
• Joel Ortiz, Western Pacific Regional Vice President (NWP)

Trainees asked questions about contracts, career progression, simulation, staffing, mental health, and modernization initiatives. NATCA leaders encouraged them to view the Union as a lifelong partner in their careers. To see more photos of the event, please visit NATCA's Flickr page.