Captain Henry P. "Hank" Krakowski

Summit Director / The Conure Aviation Group

The Conure Aviation Group LLC, is comprised of renowned aviation experts with decades of executive level operational and safety experience.  They specialize worldwide in operations, safety, regulatory compliance/operational oversight, security, environment and efficiency.  Mr. Krakowski serves as a Senior Advisor to Tetra Tech – AMT, Aviation Safety Technologies and is a Principal at NEXA Capital Partners, LLC in Washington D.C. Mr. Krakowski previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic Organization for 3-1/2 years. As COO, Mr Krakowski was responsible for all aspects of the U.S. air traffic control system — its operation and maintenance, financial performance, research and acquisition of new systems and equipment, and planning for the air traffic control system of the future. The ATO includes 38,000 of FAA's total workforce of some 48,000 employees.

He came to the FAA from United Air Lines where he spent nearly 30 years in a variety of senior management positions. His last position was Vice President of Flight Operations where he was responsible for flight operations, flight training and standards, technology and labor relations. Previously, as United's Vice President of Corporate Safety, Security and Quality Assurance, he was responsible for managing all aspects of corporate and flight safety, security and regulatory compliance. This included environmental and occupational safety and all counter-terrorism and corporate security programs, as well as United's corporate emergency response programs and internal evaluation programs. On 9/11, he was in charge of United's operations control as Director of Flight Operations Control.

Captain Krakowski has flown Boeing 727, 737, 747 and Douglas DC-8, DC-9 and DC-10. He is also an experienced aircraft dispatcher and certified as an airframe and power-plant mechanic.  He has flown numerous business jets and general aviation aircraft.  He has rebuilt 2 aircraft. In addition, he served as co-chair of the Collier Trophy winning Commercial Aviation Safety Team, chairman of the Star Alliance Safety Advisory Group, and a member of the Air Transport Association Safety Council.  For five years, he flew as an aerobatic pilot on the air show circuit with the Lima Lima aerobatics flight team.