Member Focus: Mark Bonvouloir (PVD)
Thursday, January 10, 2013



Air traffic control career: Started his control profession in 1991 at Bedford Tower (BED). Transferred to Providence Tower (PVD) in 1996 where he currently works.

Born and raised: Born in Camden, N.J., and now lives in Smithfield, R.I.

Q: How did you get involved with NATCA?

A: The facrep at my first facility encouraged me to get involved. So far, I've been treasurer and vice president at PVD, and I currently serve as facrep.

Q: What are you involved in with NATCA?

A: I've been facrep for three years. I'm a sponsor on the Collaborative Workgroup (CWG) where I help scope out documents. I'm also on the Safety Committee. But at a medium facility, with 36 members or so, you're basically involved in everything. You name it, I'm involved in it. Nothing really goes through the facility without me knowing about it.

Q: How did you get involved in these leadership roles within NATCA?


A: Howie Barte, one of the original NATCA members after PATCO, said I should get involved. He really encouraged many young members, like myself, to get involved. Kind of like Reloaded, but we didn't have that program back then.


Q. How do you encourage younger members to get involved?

A: I do it all through communication. If you don't have good communicating facilities then people don't know how to get involved. I think I have good leadership at our facility, and I just continually try to get our members involved in projects whether big or small.


Q: Has there been a favorite moment for you while at NATCA?

A: I think I would probably say listening to the Archie League Medal of Safety Award speeches always makes me feel pride for our profession. Just representing what we're doing, keeping the NAS the safest in the world. It's just always a nice time.


Q: Do you have any advice/tips/messages for members who would like to get involved?

A: I would say that younger members need to step up now and get involved because things are not always going to be as good as with the Red Book. If they don't take up an active role within the Union, things could go from good to bad quickly. I'm not always going to be around, Paul and Trish aren't always going to be around, and so we need that young generation to get involved now so they are able to step up when NATCA needs it the most.