John O'Brien Director - Engineering and Air Safety
Air Line Pilots Association (Retired)

John O'Brien

John O'Brien

Mr. John E. O'Brien was elected to the Board of Trustees for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in October of 2001. He currently serves as Chair of the Flight Safety and Education Committee and is a member of the Academic Committee and the International Affairs Committee. He also serves as Chair of the Center for Aerospace Education Advisory Committee (CASE) at Embry-Riddle.

Mr. O'Brien's credentials include an M.B.A. from Stetson University and a B.S.A.S. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Mr. O'Brien recently retired as the Director of the Air Line Pilots Association's Engineering and Air Safety Department. His career with ALPA began in 1972 and in 1975, he was promoted to Deputy Director - Operations. In 1978, he was promoted to Manager of Engineering and Operations, and in 1982, was promoted to Director of the Engineering and Air Safety Department.

While performing in these capacities, Mr. O'Brien has also served on, or chaired, a number of industry and government advisory committees and special programs. He chaired the Executive Committee for the FAA Aviation Rulemaking and Advisory Committee in 1992 and 1993 and currently serves as chairman of the RTCA Board of Directors. John is also a Member of the Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors.

Prior to coming to ALPA, John spent seven years with Pan American Airlines. During this time, he spent five years with the airline division and two years with the aerospace services division. In addition to flying for Pan American, he was a project engineer on a study of margins for space shuttle design operations and safety.

Faculty and Student Delegates

  • Javad Gorjidooz

    Faculty Delegate,
    Prescott Campus

  • Bob Oxley, Ph.D.

    Faculty Delegate,
    Daytona Beach Campus

  • Kees Rietsema, Ph.D.

    Faculty Delegate,
    Worldwide Campus

  • Bryan Dietz

    Student Delegate,
    Daytona Beach Campus

  • Clancy Delforge

    Student Delegate,
    Prescott Campus