Our relationships with Moms can be frustrating or mystifying, but more often than not, they can be inspiring! Moms often have great advice, insight, and exciting stories to share. Here's an interview by GWEB member K-Robb with her mother.

My mom works for the Federal Government as the manager of the Program and Resources Management Division in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Flight Standards Service (AFS). She supervises a deputy, six managers and a staff of over 50 professionals. Her division is responsible for a $700 million budget that provides for the staff the programming and planning of all the AFS responsibilities. AFS promotes safe air transportation by setting and enforcing the standards for airmen and airplanes (commercial air carriers and general aviation). Her staff publishes the handbooks that inspectors use to do their jobs, manage the recruiting and hiring of safety professionals, and do the budgeting.

Q. What led you to a career in the federal government?
A. When I graduated from college in Minnesota in 1974, I became a Peace Corps Volunteer for three years and wanted to continue a career in civil service after completing my Peace Corps volunteer service. I started by working for the Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington D.C., followed by our U.S. Department of State for almost 10 years. I went to the FAA in a management position in 1989. I have had terrific opportunities in government as a public servant and truly believe in the importance and value of public service. We need strong, committed professionals to run the many government responsibilities that support the needs of our citizens.

Q. What do you like best about your job?
A. I enjoy working with a variety of people that come from a wide range of professional backgrounds. I’m a people’s person and I feel this makes me a stronger manager. I love the daily challenges that I face in my job – the people I manage and the programs that I support for the FAA.

Q. This brings us to our next question. What other personal attributes do you have that help you in your career?
A. I have a college degree in social work, and I think this has helped me work better with a wide variety of people and provide mentoring to my employees. I’m creative, and I think outside of the box. I also challenge myself and challenge others to do their best. Following the horrific events of September 11, 2001, our organization had to rethink much of how we were doing all of business. My staff had to support the multitude of organizational changes that resulted from 9/11.

Q. How does your job affect the world you live in?
A. I contribute to making our aviation system the safest system in the world. You can be comfortable getting on a plane to fly anywhere because there are such outstanding professionals that work in the Flight Standards Service and my job is to make sure that we hire the most talented professionals, and provide the support and tools they need to do their safety jobs.

Q. Was aeronautical engineering or flight school ever an option for you?
A. I started as a budget analyst and was promoted into a management position without the requirement of engineering or being a pilot. By that time, I was already a mother, and I didn’t think I’d be able to devote the time it took for school and being a full-time mother. I’ve learned so much about the world of aviation engineering and flight in my current job, even though I’m not an engineering major or a pilot. My education in these fields has come from hands-on experience.

Q. What is a typical work day for you?
A. When I walk into my office, I always log into my computer and check email traffic from the previous night to begin handling issues for that day. I’m in and out of meetings all day, for the most part. I usually have employees or fellow managers popping in throughout the day to deal with issues in Flight Standards.

Q. What advice do you offer to girls interested in the same career field?
A. GO TO COLLEGE! For young women of your generation, there’s no other option but to get a good college education. For girls, engineering is especially important because the door is wide-open for women wanting to pursue engineering. Times have changed, and there’s a world of opportunities for women in what used to be male-dominated careers. Value the importance of public service, too. Our government needs talented, hard-working individuals.