In recognition of Pride Month, the Aeronautical Center would like to highlight some LGBQT members in our community, who are dedicated to the mission and whose efforts have made a significant impact at the Aeronautical Center. We realize everyone has a unique journey and we want to recognize those contributions in our workplace and world.
Michael Tull began his career in federal service in 2005 with the United States Postal Service. Then in 2015, Michael accepted a job at the Federal Aviation Administration. In the 1970’s, Michael’s father was closely affiliated with the Aeronautical Center while working for IBM. "I do not remember what exactly he did for the Center, but he was proud of his involvement and always talked about the value that the MMAC had to Oklahoma City, as well as the FAA," explains Michael. The past couple of years, Michael has spent working in Washington D.C. He has three adult children and wanted to come back "home" after earning a position that required him to design and implement training at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Having been raised in Oklahoma, it was a huge challenge, and a bit scary to move away from OKC, going from a known to the unknown, while also moving away from his children. This forced Michael to grow personally and professionally.
One of the biggest challenges Michael has faced in his career was helping a team create a virtual version of what was once an in-person training course. This endeavor occurred well before the pandemic of 2020 but Michael was leading a team to help reconfigure a course so that it would work effectively in a virtual environment. Ultimately, this challenge helped to save the government a tremendous amount of money while also serving a much wider audience in a shorter period of time.
When Michael was a child, he had aspirations to be a teacher, then a firefighter and eventually an astronaut. But when he was in the 6th grade, he had a teacher whom he felt was the smartest person that he could ever imagine, so he decided that being a teacher would be the best career field. When Michael was in his 20’s-30’s he says he tried hard to become someone he was not, and that also affected his career. Michael explains, "It is exhausting mentally and physically to hide from yourself."
Michael’s very first job was with a local marketing firm, making television commercials. "The hours were long and I discovered firsthand how hard it is to convince baby chickens to walk through a tiny door," shares Michael. "Although I grew up in Oklahoma, I did not grow up on a farm!"
Exploring the topic of favorite books, Michael highly recommends The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs. The book is primarily about coming out, and Michael suggests that it really discusses how anyone can discover themselves and begin to live authentically.
Michael’s hobbies include live theatre but he truly enjoys a good game of trivia. The best advice that he’s ever received is that one should "under promise, and over deliver." When asking Michael about what gives him hope, he replies "seeing that (for the most part) people are accepting of individual differences and recognizing that diversity is a net benefit for any group."
Michael expounds, "As the Central Area Director for FAA GLOBE, I am so pleased to see the MONRONeYnews featuring someone for Pride. LGBT visibility is important. I know that there are folks who receive this communication who feel uncomfortable coming out in their workplace, and I understand that. They change pronouns when talking about their weekends around the water cooler or pre-meeting conversations; they do not put photos of their loved ones up at their desk, and they opt out of social situations with coworkers. All in trying to protect themselves from opinions that may or may not exist. I found a particular quote that speaks to me, "Pride means not having to concentrate on concealing who you are." I know personally that this is very true. I spent a large part of my adult life attempting to conform and conceal who I am."
Michael Tull is the Central Area Director for FAA GLOBE (Gays, Lesbians, and Other Bisexual Employees) an FAA Employee Organization, a professional organization acting as an advocate for equitable representation and opportunities in employment, development and leadership. FAA GLOBE's purpose and goal is to bring about a workplace that is free of prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation through education and awareness of issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees. Visit GLOBE for more information.
