Will Receive Honorary Doctorate Degree
Daniel Webster will
welcome back friend of the College and former member of the NTSB,
John Goglia, as keynote speaker for the College’s 36th
Commencement on Saturday, May 14, 2005. John, who has more than 30
years experience in the aviation industry, was a speaker for the
Daniel Webster’s “Issues in Aviation” program in
2000.
Departing the NTSB after nearly a decade of service, John joined
the faculty of Saint Louis University, where he is professor of
aviation science at the College’s Parks College of
Engineering, Aviation and Technology and director of the Center for
Integrated Emergency Management. In addition to teaching, research
and advising, John is senior vice president of government and
teaching programs for the Professional Aviation Maintenance
Association, continuing to pursue initiatives that address safety
internationally. He maintains an office in Washington, D.C.
“John is a vibrant, engaging, and energetic speaker who
will bring a wealth of experience wherever he goes,” said
President Hannah McCarthy. “He represents the spirit of
integrity and professionalism. We are extremely pleased that he
will be returning to Daniel Webster as this year’s
commencement speaker.”
John Goglia, 59, is a
Boston native. According to a recent article in the St. Petersburg
Times, “Goglia grew up so close to Boston’s Logan
Airport that he never needed an alarm clock. He was awakened every
day at 7 a.m. when the airline mechanics began their engine
run-ups.”
John has held numerous positions in the airline industry and was
involved for more than 20 years as a union flight safety
representative on accident investigation teams prior to being named
by President Clinton to the NTSB in 1995. He also operated his own
aircraft service company for more than a decade.
During his NTSB tenure, John was one of five board members who
governed the agency and determined the cause of accidents. He was
the board’s first and only airframe and powerplant mechanic,
playing a key role in focusing international attention on the
increasing significance of aircraft maintenance in aviation
accidents. He is recognized as the “Father of Human
factors” for aviation maintenance technicians.
A long-time champion of aviation education, John was also a
founding member and chair of the National Coalition for Aviation
Education, an aviation industry organization that advances
education among America’s youth and aviation workforce. He
was an original member of the steering committee to establish the
International Society of Aviation Maintenance Professionals, an
organization dedicated to advancing safety and professionalism
throughout the aviation maintenance industry.
Aviation Maintenance renamed its annual recognition as the
“John Goglia Time Out for Safety Award,” also in 2004.
The Society of Automotive Engineers presented him with its
Aerospace Chair Award for outstanding leadership in 2003 and its
Marvin Whitlock Award for outstanding management accomplishment in
2002. An outspoken advocate for greater compassion and sensitivity
in dealing with surviving families of victims of transportation
accidents, John was the recipient of the 2001 Aviation Safety Award
from the National Air Disaster Alliance. He was recognized as the
FAA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician of the year in 1994, as
well as by the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association with
its prestigious Joe Chase Award.
John Goglia is an internationally recognized speaker, author,
and expert in aviation maintenance and aircraft operations, having
lectured at world symposiums and served as contributing editor to
several industry periodicals.