It's been a busy 2009 already! The evidence is clear since this is my first debrief since the Holiday's. So maybe we need a quick recap to start the year off: not necessarily in the correct order

New President: Barack Obama
New DOT Secretary: Ray LaHood
Safe Landing in the Hudson
Bank Bailouts
Economic Challenges
Stimulus Packages
BCS National Champion Florida Gators
NFL Champion Pittsburgh Steelers

I know I have missed a ton of stuff, but it really has been a busy month and a half for everyone.

On the Homefront:

We have updated our site with over 20 Facility Orientation Packages.
We have added several links to our site to help with the new hire onboarding process.
We have dipped our toes into the social media realm with Facebook and the FAA Alumni Network.

So you still like change...Stay tuned

Want to keep in touch with your friends from the Academy? The Staff would like to invite you to join our Facebook group "The FAA Academy Alumni Network" before you embark on your new journey. As of now this group is "by invitation only", so simply send in your current email address through our comment form below or you can email your new hire sponsor for assistance.

If you have never been a member of a social media group, please take some time to investigate possible privacy issues associated with membership. To assist you our staff has provided this online guide. Thanks for your feedback on this topic, and happy networking!!

The FAA Academy Alumni Network is now an open group. Please feel free to invite your friends from the academy or from work.

Link: http://videoontheweb.faa.gov/interviews/2009_webcasts/ATO-COO-Update-Jan2009-HS.asx

From time to time, you run across stories that directly involve your future. In the next few weeks I would make it a priority to get this feed as we continue to see many changes in our organization. The interviewer, Mr. Jerry Lavey has been around for a long time and speaks in our terms. Enjoy this webcast and others that have been archived here from our friends at Focus FAA.

2/2/09:

ATO Chief Operating Officer Hank Krakowski met with Focus FAA’s Jerry Lavey concerning a variety of topics that you will find interesting. Krakowski provided insight into one of our agency’s top priorities, the resolution of conflict with our unions. Other topics included the agency’s release from the GAO’s (Government Accounting Office) high-risk list for modernization, and the possibility of a new FAM (cockpit familiarization training) program for Air Traffic Controllers. (Focus FAA: Monthly Webcast)

A New Employee Onboarding Site has taken shape in the last few months. If you have some time before your report date, we suggest you visit this site and become acquainted with the material. By doing so you may find your initial experience a little less overwhelming, and you will be accomplishing several mandatory requirements. You can click the link on the right side tool bar under Useful Websites. Happy reading!

As promised, our dedicated new hire teams from across the country have been flooding our site with electronic versions of their Facility Orientation Guides. The guides are being populated on the right side under “Getting Started at Your Facility”.

At your fingertips you will be introduced to your Facility Manager, Training Manager, and a host of support personnel. You will find a directory to access your team of New Hire Sponsors who will help guide you through your transition. The guides will review the FAA Mission and Values, employee expectations, local policies, and a rich historical preview of your new facility. The authors included the most up-to-date and interactive geographical data available, local town favorites, hot spots, real estate options, schools, and childcare choices. If you need to know it, your new hire teams included it in their 2009 Facility Orientation Guide. Check back often as we will be updating this section daily!