Capt. Robert E. McGowan (Ret)

1951 Solo Flight, age 15, Flying Dutchman Airfield, Eddington, PA
1952 Awarded Hollingshead Memorial Scholarship for Pilot Training
1952 Earned Private Pilot’s License, age 16
1955-1957 Commercial Charter Pilot, age 18, Turner Airfield, Prospectville, PA
1957-1959 Federal Aviation Agency – Journeyman Tower Air Traffic Controller
1959-1961 Drafted into US Army – Guided Missile Propellant and Explosive Specialist
1961–1967 Air Traffic Controller, National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center, Atlantic City, NJ. Obtained every Controller rating in Control Tower, Approach Control and Enroute ATC Center. Research and Development on aviation technology, airports and equipment
1962–1967 Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) Elected Officer
1967–1996 Flight Officer, LAX Domicile Captain – Domestic and International Wide Body Jets. Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Safety Representative.
1975–1980 Volunteer Firefighter, Orange County, CA Fire Authority
1978–1980 Chairman Villa Park, CA Planning Commission
1980–1984 Elected Villa Park City Council Member
1982-1983 Mayor, City of Villa Park
1981-1986 Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency, Board Member
1984-1986 Villa Park City Council Member
1996 Retired from United Airlines
1998-2002 Villa Park City Council Member
1999-2001 Mayor, City of Villa Park