James Wetherly

 Mr. James Wetherly is currently the Chief System Engineer for the System Operations service unit of the Air Traffic Organization within the FAA.  Jim started his career in the FAA in 1992 as an automation system engineer within the NAS System Engineering Division.  In 1996, he joined the Air Traffic Management Integrated Product Team as the technical lead for Traffic Flow Management research and development.  In this capacity he was responsible for leading the CDM Working Group; a cross cutting team of Industry and Academia charged with researching and solving key air traffic congestion problems.   These early efforts provided the foundation that continues to support improvements in data sharing, collaboration and operational decision making today. 

Jim has held key technical and management positions within the System Operations Program Directorate where he was responsible for the continued evolution of the traffic flow management system.  He orchestrated the TFM modernization acquisition and guided the transition of key decision support capabilities from research into operational implementation.
 
Jim started his career as an engineer responsible for integration of command, control and surveillance systems aboard surface combatants for the Navy in 1987.  Before joining the FAA, he worked for the National Weather Service as part of the operational support organization.   He holds a Graduate Degree in Operations Research from The George Washington University (1995) and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University (1987).