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Powell named interim dean of aviation

Sept. 4, 2007

KALAMAZOO--David M. Powell, associate dean and managing director of operations for Western Michigan University's College of Aviation, has been named interim dean of the college.

Powell, whose appointment is effective immediately, replaces Rick Maloney, who left WMU last month to become president and chief executive officer of Pentastar Aviation, based in Waterford, Mich. Powell will serve as interim dean while the University conducts a nationwide search for a new dean of the college.

Powell joined the college administration in 2003 as director of operations and assistant dean. He came to WMU from United Airlines' Miami and San Francisco flight operations facilities, where he had served as chief pilot since 1999. Prior to that, he served from 1996 to 1999 as flight manager at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where he managed daily flight operations for United's largest hub.

A member of the United team since 1986, Powell also served the airline as a line pilot and captain. In addition, as a pilot instructor for the airline, he was the first instructor selected for the rollout of the Airbus fleet, and he developed training materials for that fleet and for a basic first officers' course for all new United pilots.

Before launching his commercial aviation career, Powell, who is an Arizona State University graduate, served in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years, with 10 years logged in as a senior pilot, aircraft commander, instructor and flight examiner.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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