In his early years, Jim Willingham entered the workforce as a teenager, performing physical labor in a tree nursery. He would spend a lot of time watering plants and trees, digging in the dirt and watching things grow. However, as a natural course of life, adventure called him after graduating from High School.
He responded to that call, oblivious to the reality of military life, but he took the chance because his friends encouraged him to join. Like many others just starting out, he was willing to blindly follow the path of national defense, especially since he didn’t really know what he wanted to do with his life.
Jim chose to join the U.S. Navy and was then trained to be an Avionics Technician. His first duty location was Barbers Point Naval Air Station (NAS), Hawaii, on the island of Ouahu. During its 57-year history, the base trained carrier pilots for combat, provided logistics support for naval aviation forces throughout the Pacific and supported airborne early warning and antisubmarine patrol operations. While the location seems glorious, Jim explains, "I didn’t always enjoy my time in the Navy. But it made me grow up and they trained me for a lifetime career in electronics."
After four years, Jim left the Navy and began working for a private firm in Oklahoma City as an Electronics Technician, where he spent the next eight years of his life. Later, the military provided a civilian opportunity for him to work as an Avionics Technician at Tinker Air Force Base. He spent most of his time there working on B-52 Aircraft. Further opportunity then called to Jim from the Aeronautical Center, where he took a job as an Electronic Bench Tech in the FAA Logistics Center. With his foot firmly in the FAA’s door, he began fixing various electronic components.
He soon learned about a job opening in the FAA Academy as an Electronic Maintenance Technician. He applied for the position and found his permanent FAA home. As they say, ’the rest is history’. For the next 20 years, Jim worked in that job performing maintenance on a variety of Academy training equipment. In 2008, Jim transitioned to the Terminal Radar Section (AMA-414) as an Airways Transportation Systems Specialist (Instructor). Jim loves instructing, and thoroughly enjoys meeting people from across the country. Due to the ever-evolving technological requirements of the National Airspace System, he continually trains to stay current and qualified to perform maintenance on equipment.
Having worked here for such a long time, Jim naturally developed an in-depth knowledge of the Aeronautical Center, so he joined the Employee Association, which is available to all Aeronautical Center employees. It is an organization that promotes moral, recreational, social and educational opportunities for all of its members. Serving as an officer in the Association is a practical method for developing leadership skills. It has been a perfect fit for Jim, because he has been the President of the EA organization from 1991 until now.
When not working at the FAA, Jim has enjoyed being a volunteer Basketball Coach for his local church league. In others, he admires traits of honesty, loyalty, and a willingness to hear differing opinions. He enjoys the freedom of traveling and camping in an RV. His favorite vacation spot is Orlando, Florida, because of the warm temperatures and sunshine. As he is nearing retirement, Jim is looking forward to doing more golfing and movie watching. He especially enjoys Sci-Fi films and comedies. Jim expressed, "I have really enjoyed my time at the Aeronautical Center. I’ve met a lot of good people along the way."
Congratulations Jim, for your commitment to federal service at the Aeronautical Center. You’ve come a long way. Thank you for sharing your talents with us, and we wish you the very best!
