Resignation Effective August 1st
National Transportation Safety Board
Member Richard F. Healing has announced his retirement from
government service. He will leave his position as Member of the
National Transportation Safety Board on August 1st.
In his letter of resignation to President Bush last week,
Healing (right) said, "Since March 28th, 2003, it has been my great
honor to be part of your administration; and I am deeply grateful
for the opportunity of serving the American people in this
important safety role."
While at the NTSB, Healingwas an active speaker -- advocating
enhanced aviation safety for helicopters in air medical and
offshore operations, corporate aviation, Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(UAS), human causal factors, and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting
(ARFF). This year he was a featured keynote speaker at 19 different
safety conferences, academic events and industry meetings. A
professional safety engineer, he sought to ensure that emerging
safety technologies were thoroughly understood by the heavily
tasked NTSB professional staff, including digital image recording,
integrated mechanical diagnostics systems, simulation and modeling
capabilities, nano-technology and composite material science. He
was asked by Defense Department leadership to participate on Task
Forces for Aviation Safety Improvement and Private Motor Vehicle
Safety.
Before joining the Board in 2003, Healing spent a year as
Director of Transportation Safety and Security for the Battelle
Memorial Institute. Prior to that, he served for 17 years as
Director, Safety and Survivability, for the Department of the Navy.
In 2001, Mr. Healing was presented the Navy's highest civilian
award - the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. He also was
recognized with the SAFE International "General Spruance Award" for
safety education achievement, and an Aviation Week "Laurel" for
bringing new awareness to the importance of wire health and
condition monitoring technology in aviation. In November 2003,
Healingwas awarded the Saint Louis University - Parks College
Vanguard Trophy, "For Outstanding Contributions to Aviation
Safety".
A licensed Professional Engineer
since 1974, Mr. Healing attended the US Coast Guard Academy and
graduated from Worcester Polytechynic Institute. He graduated from
the Naval War College in 1990. He served 6 1/2 years active duty in
the US Coast Guard. After more than 29 years and four commands, he
retired from the Coast Guard Reserve as a Captain.
"I want to thank Member Healing, not only for his service to the
NTSB these last two years, but for his long record of service to
our country," NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker said. "He
brought a valuable perspective to our deliberations with his
special interest in issues like human factors, vehicle recorders
and helicopter operations. I know I speak for all Members of the
Board when I say that he will be missed."
As part of the NTSB State Advocacy program, Member Healing
testified in the state legislatures of Wisconsin, Kansas, Nebraska,
Maryland and Virginia in support of driving safety initiatives. Mr.
Healing was the Board Member on scene with the Go Team that
traveled to the Metrolink derailment in Glendale, California early
this year that later proved to be a criminal act. He also chaired
the Board's recent hearing investigating the freight train
collision and derailment in Macdona, Texas.