it’s not easy to shut down business for two days. I encourage other operators to follow M&N’s lead. Your safety standdown doesn’t need to be several days or away from your home base – just dedicate some time for the sole purpose of learning more about safety and get your entire team together to hear your message.” A safety standdown can be anything you want it to be. It can be a two- or three-day event away from your home base with socializing opportunities and high-profile presenters, or it can be a simple few-hour event held in your own facility. The important aspects are: highlight your company’s commitment to safety, bring your team together for the common goal of improving safety, and choose relevant topics that provide value to your team. Lindsey McFarren is the president of McFarren Aviation Consulting, which specializes in general aviation safety and operations consulting. She was named one of aviation’s “Top 40 Under Forty” in 2012. www.mcfarrenaviation.com Message from NATA President Tom Hendricks: We echo Lindsey’s message on the value of safety standdowns and applaud M&N Aviation for putting them into action at their own facility. Safety standdowns have been conducted by the military for years and have proven critical to underlining the commitment of leadership to safety and in helping instill a positive safety culture throughout an organization. We encourage all of our members to review their safety programs and procedures on a regular basis. Visit www.nata.aero for information on safety tools and programs available through NATA. Avfuel Corporation congratulates Jim Coyne on his many accomplishments as president of NATA. Thank you Jim, for your vision and leadership and the passion and commitment you brought to the aviation industry each and every day. (Craig R. Sincock, CEO and President of Avfuel Corporation (L) pictured with Jim Coyne) www.avfuel.com | 800.521.4106 Aviation Business Journal | 4th Quarter 2012 65