February 7, 2012
The incoming President and two newly named members of the Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association (WAMA) Board of Directors are committed to continuing the organization’s educational and involvement activities to strengthen professional aviation maintenance.
“We’re professionals who enjoy volunteering to make this a better world,” said 30-year WAMA member Ron Velivis, who with Mike Sullivan was just named to the organization’s board of directors. Added Brad Bertele, newly elected President of the group and a long-time operator at Westchester County Airport (HPN), “We plan on creating even more opportunities in the future.”
WAMA is known for its professional education activities, mostly aimed at helping young A&Ps and other maintenance professionals.
For example, technicians who are out of work due to the economy are invited to the Association’s monthly dinner meetings free of charge. WAMA officials say this helps the out-of-work technicians stay current and network for a new job. WAMA has also arranged for the same technicians to attend technical training from OEMs at no charge.
The association also invites A students to the monthly dinner meetings without charge. “This enables these future professionals to begin networking and gain first-hand knowledge of business aviation,” said Sullivan.
Furthermore, all WAMA members are eligible for continuous, free A&P IA-approved training sponsored by local aviation-related businesses.
“WAMA is an important ally in marketing aviation in the community,” said NBAA Northeast Regional Representative Dean Saucier. “At HPN’s Career Fair they’ve attracted many students to the professional aviation maintenance area. WAMA’s intern program has been invaluable, too, and I’d encourage other regional aviation associations to emulate and expand programs like those administered by the group.”
The all-volunteer professional maintenance association was founded in 1960, making it one of the oldest such local trade associations for aviation maintenance. The organization is based at the Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, NY, and currently has almost 300 members. Monthly dinner meetings are held the second Thursday, along with other activities listed on the organization’s website, at www.wamahpn.org.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.