OBAP To Hold National Convention Aug. 12 – 14

Chicago, IL (August 4, 2015) - More than fifteen hundred aviation and aerospace professionals will gather August 12 - 14, 2015 for the 39th Annual National Convention and Career Exposition at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. The convention, presented annually by the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), will feature 20 speakers including Captain Howard Attarian, Senior Vice President, Flight Ops, United Airlines, Deborah Lee James, Secretary of the Air Force and Dr. Aprille J. Ericsson, Aerospace Engineer, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center throughout its three-day program.

The convention will commence on Wednesday, August 12 with one of six aerospace professional development workshops, sponsored by UPS, being held throughout the event to provide professionals with career guidance including interview preparation. Following the workshop facilitated by OBAP's Aerospace Professional Development team and Judy Tarver, VP Global Strategies at Future & Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA) the highly anticipated Career Exposition will open and provide 1,200 registered aviation professionals opportunities to meet recruiters from 30 participating companies; Aero Crew Solutions, Air Line Pilots Association, Air Wisconsin Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Airlines Credit Union, Atlas Air, Cage Marshall Consulting, Centerline Interview Consulting, Compass Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air, Envoy Air, Executive Jet Management, ExpressJet, Federal Aviation Administration, FedEx Express, Flight Safety International, GoJet Airlines, Horizon Air, JetBlue, JetSelect Aviation, LLC, Qatar Airways, National Gay Pilots Association, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, Republic Airways, Silver Airways, SkyWest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Trans States, United Airlines, UPS, US Air Force Reserves/USAF, Virgin America, Western Michigan University, Wings Financial and XOJET.

"OBAP's Career Exposition is one of the largest aerospace fairs in the nation. The continued investment and participation of carriers each year prove the effectiveness of this three-day recruitment event and also speak to the desirability of OBAP's highly qualified member base," Captain James Gordon, board chairman and pilot, UPS Airlines.

Day two will open with the Founders and Pioneers Breakfast, sponsored by JetBlue, to induct five individuals into the OBAP Hall of Fame; Dr. Sheila Chamberlain, Lieutenant General Russell "Russ" Davis, (ret.), Lieutenant Colonel Tony Marshall, (ret.), Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson, (ret.) and Major General Stayce Harris. These individuals have contributed more than 111 years of service to the United States Armed Forces collectively, faced opposition in multiple wars, gender equality and race relations. They are being honored for their unwavering commitment to their careers.

To increase minority participation in future aerospace careers, the organization will also host nine events tailored to youth and young adults. Events include a youth-related workshop, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, in partnership with representatives from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Ten80 Education and Fly Robotics, the leading resource for training in the field of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). A Youth Luncheon, sponsored by FedEx Express, will stimulate conversations in STEM Education. A Collegiate Series has been designed to include career development workshops, sponsored by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, to assist students in navigating the transition from college to career. Finally, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Consortium Breakfast, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, engages students, aviation college leaders and airline managers.

The Military Transition Program, being held Friday, August 14, will provide active military veterans seeking non-pilot positions in the aerospace industry with career guidance, professional development seminars, mentoring and strategies to enter and excel in the civilian job market. As part of this initiative, OBAP has invited recruiters from major air carriers, most of which have a well-established veteran recruitment program, to participate in a career fair open and tailored specifically to veterans.

"The Military Transition Program has been established to honor and support our veterans transitioning from a life of service to our great nation," Captain Gordon added.

The Corporate Luncheon and Strategic Industry Symposium, being held on Friday and sponsored by United Airlines, will explore successful strategies to reduce future pilot shortages. Eight industry experts to serve as panelists include Howard Attarian, Senior Vice President, Flight Ops, United Airlines, General Larry O. Spencer, 37th Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, James Bowman, Vice President System Chief Pilot, FedEx Express, Captain Tom Kemp, Vice President Flight Operations, Alaska Airlines, Norma B. Clayton, Vice President, Learning Training and Development, The Boeing Company, Lieutenant General Duane Thiessen, (ret.) President and CEO, National Flight Academy, Dr. Raymond Thompson, Associate Dean, College of Aviation, Western Michigan University and moderated by Dr. Beth Beaudin-Seiler, Research Associate, College of Aviation, Graduate College, Western Michigan University. "Each year convention attendees spend a lot of time focusing on how to advance their aviation careers and improve their skillset. We condense a lot of insights into three days, so we believe that the sessions should be supplemented with some well-earned fun, celebration and networking. A Welcome Reception sponsored by Delta Air Lines, an Odyssey Dinner Cruise along the Potomac River and OBAP's annual Awards Gala to conclude the convention will help us establish a perfect balance of business and fun," said Grant Walker Jr. convention chair and vice president of business development for Wings Financial Credit Union.

For promotional photos, press passes and interviews, contact Shalishah Franklin by email at press@obap.org. Join the conversation using and searching the hashtag #OBAPCon2015.

About The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Founded in 1976, OBAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers. The robust, and diverse, membership is also committed to supporting aspiring aviation professionals through scholarships, mentoring and training as part of Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academies held in 30 cities nationwide.

###