Tony Jagodnik has made major contributions to the design of radar, automation and communication systems for over 40 years that have improved the efficiency and safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). These systems have been installed in Terminal Radar Air Traffic Control Centers (TRACONs), RAPSONS and airports worldwide.
Tony joined Raytheon Company in 1972 and has spent his entire career specializing in the design of Air Traffic Control Automation Systems for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD). He attained one of the highest engineering technical levels at the Raytheon Company when he was named a Senior Engineering Fellow in 1995. Tony has published numerous technical papers, holds 3 technical innovation awards, 2 U.S. Patents and 2 Excellence in Engineering & Technology Awards. His work in Air Traffic Control has greatly contributed to the quality, safety and efficiency of Air Travel.
Tony was named the Technical Director of the $ 1.6 billion FAA/DOD Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) Program in 2005. The STARS is a command-and-control system that helps air traffic controllers manage terminal area airspace, tracking up to 1,350 aircraft simultaneously. The STARS interfaces with multiple air traffic control radars and presents air traffic flight and weather information to air traffic controllers on high-resolution color displays. The STARS/TAMR (Terminal Automation Modernization Replacement) installations are controlling air traffic at hundreds of FAA/DOD sites across the United States and around the world.
Tony was born in December 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Richmond Heights. He and his wife Nancy both graduated from Euclid High School in 1961. He did his undergraduate work at the Case Institute of Technology, now part of Case Western Reserve University and received his BSEE in 1966. He received his MSEE from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1969. Prior to joining Raytheon in 1972, he worked for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He and his wife Nancy were married in 1969 and have a son Andy and daughter in law DeAnne, and two grandchildren, Nick and Olivia.