As we prepare for the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express to each of you how thankful I am for the work you do each and every day. Aeronautical Center employees are incredible, dedicated professionals who work hard to support the flying public, our nation, and the FAA. This was evident again this week as we had the pleasure of hosting Lucian Sikorskyj, ASH-1, for a tour of the Center's operations. He commented how impressed he was with the magnitude of the operations and the employees he interfaced with during his time at the Center. Thank you for constantly demonstrating the Oklahoma Standard during the VIP tours. What you do matters, and it is a pleasure to share this impact with others when they visit the Center.

The annual Combined Federal Campaign has kicked off and will run through December. You will see many events on Center running now through the end of the year. I hope you will take the time to visit Blue Sky Cafè each Wednesday, where a different Cause Week and a handful of charities will be featured to inform you about the work they perform in our communities. Please consider donating whatever you can to help those in need or donate your time to a worthwhile charity, which can convert hours into dollars. Whatever you do, please consider giving back, as charitable giving has a ripple effect. Giving can support essential services for those in need, foster a sense of community, and bring about personal fulfillment.

Kevin and I had a chance to stop by and visit all the activities during Innovation Week at the Science Museum of Oklahoma. This was a 3-day event tailored to 7th graders, which helped them learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The Aeronautical Center had a significant presence at the event, complete with activities related to air traffic control, flight physics, toxicology, firefighting using virtual reality, and much more. Over 1,200 students attended, representing 16 area schools from economically disadvantaged households, helping them see a pathway to a brighter future.

Every quarter, we host a four-hour "Center Connection" session where new employees (and sometimes seasoned ones) can learn about all the different operations occurring at the Center. This month, we hosted one of our most extensive meetings with over 40 attendees. It's great to see the collaboration of many organizations coming together to support future generations.

The Aeronautical Center's Employee Development program (AsCEnD) just graduated its third cohort this month. Thirty employees from organizations across the Center had the opportunity to go behind the scenes each month and learn about the missions of several organizations. They did this while networking, training, and collaborating, with the end goal of being distinguished ambassadors for the Aeronautical Center. We are very proud of their efforts and are already looking forward to receiving applications for the fourth cohort.

Thanks to all of you for the work you do at the Aeronautical Center. It's because of you that we have such a great work environment, where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. It's great to be in a work culture that encourages innovation while ensuring work-life balance. Thank you for the difference you make in the workplace every day.

Happy Holidays,

Michelle Coppedge
Director, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center