Quentin J. Smith, Jr.

A native of Newport News, Va., Quentin graduated from Phenix High School in 1963. Smith was awarded a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, N.C. in 1968.  He spent the next four years with the U.S. Navy Department as a Mechanical Engineer and on active duty with the Air Force. After completing his active military duty, Smith worked from 1972 to 1980 in a variety of engineering positions with U.S. Navy Department.  Leaving the Navy Department in the summer of 1980, Smith began his career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Aviation Safety Inspector, Washington Flight Standards District Office, Washington, D. C. In February 1988, he was named Manager of the Washington Flight Standards District Office.  While at the FAA, Smith served in a variety of aviation safety inspector roles, including Assistant Division Manager and Division Manager.  Smith retired from the FAA in June 2004 as a Senior Executive. Smith is former Air Force Command Pilot with more than 8000 hours in C-47, C-141 and C-5 aircraft.  Duty assignments included Aircraft Commander for Air Mobility Command global airlift missions;  Commander, C-5 Squadron, Dover AFB, DE; Operations Directorate (J-3), Joint Operations Center Senior Battle Staff Officer, United States Atlantic Command, Norfolk, VA and Senior Air Force Liaison Officer for the Partnership for Peace Initiative, Dept of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, DC. Smith retired from the Air Force Reserves in June 1998 at the rank of Colonel.

Smith currently serves as an Executive Consultant for Science Applications International Corporation where he is an expert in the areas of Federal Aviation Administration regulatory issues concerning air carrier in-flight operations and maintenance programs.  Identifies potential conflicts and problems and formulates plans to implement solutions.  Provides recommendations to resolve issues and expedite coordination and implementation of the most promising solutions.  Advises on the effectiveness of programs based on sufficiency of data, acceptability, and impact upon current and proposed operations.