by Dan Perkins

When it comes to processing complex data and reports, Joseph Lawrence is a bit of specialist.  Managing and communicating detailed information is what he does every day as an Operation Program Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  Lawrence is responsible for distributing project funds to various System Management Offices (SMOs), monitoring projects through to their completion and providing senior management with status reports.

In addition to managing infrastructure projects for the Great Lakes Region of the FAA, Lawrence also manages Labor Distribution Reports for the Great Lakes Technical Operations Division.

“I am assigned special projects throughout the fiscal year where data and reports are provided to local and upper management,” said Lawrence, a 28 year veteran with the FAA.

The depth and breadth of his experiences with come in handy as he assumes a new role as National Treasurer of the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE), the oldest professional organization in government that advocates for and on behalf of minority employees.

The Black Coalition is comprised of eight regional organizations that serve minorities and women who work in those regions for the FAA.  Lawrence is eager to enhance the organization’s reporting capabilities.  “As the National Treasurer, I would like to get all of the regions on centralized banking in order to complete reports in a timely manner,” explained Lawrence who has been a member of NBCFAE for about ten years.

“I enjoy helping people, which is what I do in providing funding for projects and travel,” said Lawrence who believes his effort to establish centralized banking will help the Black Coalition in pursuit of its core mission.  A key aspect of that mission is to enhance the technical proficiency of NBCFAE members.  Each year, the Coalition hosts an annual conference that offers a variety of workshops designed to expand the technical proficiency of its members.

Continuing education is an initiative that Lawrence strongly supports.  He earned an Associate Degree in Electronics from Devry Technical Institute and continued his professional development by taking Leadership Training courses offered by the FAA.

Lawrence said he pursued a career with the FAA because he wanted to be associated with aviation and airports.  He stands ready to help the NBCFAE achieve an even stronger position in advocating for other minorities, and for women, who also want to pursue careers with the FAA.

The End