Jim Crites Nominated By The FAA For Leadership And Collaboration In Implementing NextGen And Other New Aviation Technologies

Jim Crites, the executive vice president for operations at DFW International Airport, has been selected by the White House as a Transportation Champion of Change, one of only 12 people selected nationwide for the honor. The Federal Aviation Administration nominated Crites for the recognition for his visionary work and leadership in developing and implementing new technologies, notably the nation's Next Generation Air Transportation System, known colloquially as "NextGen." 

"While I am humbled and grateful for this honor, I dare say the work done here at DFW that resulted in this recognition is the direct result of many successful partnerships with outside agencies and within our entire Airport organization," said Crites. "The mission to improve aviation safety and efficiency that is at the heart of NextGen does not succeed without a great deal of collaboration across the aviation sector, and our nation is already benefiting from the work we're all doing together to improve our air traffic control systems."

As part of the Champions of Change program, the White House regularly recognizes different groups of Americans who are making positive change in their communities. This year's theme is Transportation Technology Solutions for the 21st Century. Crites joined other honorees at the White House today for a ceremony and panel discussion. "This is a tremendous honor for Jim and for everyone here at the Airport," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW Airport. "Jim over his tenure at DFW has implemented a myriad of initiatives that resulted in improved aviation safety, a cleaner environment, reductions in energy consumption and improved service to our guests and our airline partners. He is truly a visionary in improving airport operations here and around the world, and this recognition is well deserved."

Under Crites' direction, DFW Airport has served as a primary test and implementation site for many of the FAA's NextGen technology components, including the airport detection system known as ASDE-X (Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X) that enables air traffic controllers to detect potential runway conflicts, the flight path optimization system known as Area Navigation or R-NAV, and the Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast System or ADS-B, which is the system that is replacing radar as the primary surveillance method for controlling aircraft worldwide.

The nomination from the FAA states the following:  "James Crites is a visionary whose tireless advocacy and outreach efforts in support of NextGen transcend the interests of DFW and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As one collaborator stated, "He has the ability to think well beyond his own parochial views and desires to see the benefits of NextGen coming to a much broader stage than just his own individual airport." Mr. Crites selflessly and actively campaigns to promote and advance the NextGen transformation for the good of the entire system. Mr. Crites possesses the broad understanding that by helping modernize air transportation throughout the entire NAS (National Airspace System), his airport and his community, along with the rest of the world, will ultimately reap the safety, efficiency and environmental rewards that NextGen has to offer."

As executive vice president for the Operations Division of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Crites oversees the Airport's Asset Management, Energy and Transportation Management, Operations, Planning, Department of Public Safety, Environmental Affairs and Airport Development and Engineering departments. Mr. Crites earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois, and a Masters Degree in Operations Research while attending the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California.

He is currently serving as a member of: the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee as well as the Airport Cooperative Research Program Oversight Committee; the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors; the Airports Council International – North America Operations and Technical Affairs Committee; the Subcommittee of the RTCA NextGen Advisory Committee, and the University of Texas at Arlington, College of Engineering Advisory Board.

FMI: www.dfwairport.com