[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 77 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2822-S2823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARK VAN TINE

 Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Mark Van 
Tine, vice president of Digital Aviation for the Boeing Company and 
chief executive officer of Jeppesen. He is retiring after 35 years with 
the company as a champion of the aviation industry.
  Mr. Van Tine leads more than 3,800 employees at Jeppesen, which is 
headquartered in Englewood, CO, and serves general, business, military, 
and the commercial aviation sectors. Additionally, Jeppesen works 
closely with the aviation industry to improve the flying experience at 
Denver International Airport. A new navigation pattern design, for 
example, allows commercial airline pilots to descend in a single, 
smooth arc rather than a more traditional stair-step pattern, resulting 
in lower costs, fewer carbon emissions, and gentler landings.
  Since 1981, Mr. Van Tine has held numerous positions at Jeppesen, 
including serving as its chief information officer, before being named 
CEO in 2002. In 2012, he became the leader of Boeing's new Digital 
Aviation organization, taking on the tremendous challenge of overseeing 
Jeppesen's digital transformation. This involved moving the entire 
global aviation industry to electronic charts, which reduced paperwork 
and increased efficiency.

[[Page S2823]]

  Mr. Van Tine is also an active contributor to the general aviation 
community. He sits on the boards of the General Aviation Manufacturers 
Association, GAMA, and the Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA. In 
2009, he served as GAMA's chairman and has since chaired the 
association's Security Issues Committee for the last 5 years. He also 
chairs the Jeppesen Aviation Foundation, which honors the legacy of 
Captain Elrey B. Jeppesen by supporting educational institutions, 
organizations, and students in the aviation community.
  Encouraging students to become the next generation of aviation 
leaders is Mr. Van Tine's greatest passion. His commitment to education 
has ensured Jeppesen continues to support programs that introduce 
Colorado students to science, technology, engineering, and math using 
aviation. This includes initiatives such at Aurora Public Schools, 
Experience Aviation, Rocky Mountain BEST, Shades of Blue, and the 
Cherry Creek School Foundation.
  Under Mr. Van Tine's leadership, Jeppesen has become a sponsor of 
numerous scholarships aimed at encouraging students to pursue aviation 
careers. Mr. Van Tine has also created a national STEM competition for 
high schoolers with the annual prize being a 2-week build of a Glasair 
Sportsman airplane. This June marks the third year Mr. Van Tine will 
join students to assemble an aircraft in the GAMA/Build-A-Plane 
Aviation Design Challenge.
  I congratulate Mark Van Tine on his many accomplishments and years of 
outstanding service to the aviation community. He is truly an asset to 
the people of Colorado and to the millions of passengers around the 
world who are safer in the skies and at sea through the use of his 
navigation services.

                          ____________________