Joseph Winingar

Title
Associate Professor of the Practice and Program Coordinator
Email
Department
Department of Aeronautics
College
College of Aviation

Areas of Expertise

Aviation Safety Management • Air Traffic Operations • Organizational Leadership • Safety Data Analysis • System Safety • Risk Management • Training and Workforce Development • Strategic Planning • Program Evaluation • Crisis and Incident Response • Continuous Improvement • Aviation Policy and Governance

Dr. Joseph Richard Winingar is an accomplished aviation safety leader and educator with over 20 years of experience in air traffic operations, safety management and organizational leadership. A retired FAA Senior Executive, he most recently served as the Director of Safety for the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), where he led a national team of more than 165 professionals and managed a multimillion-dollar safety portfolio supporting the world’s busiest and most complex airspace system.

Currently, Dr. Winingar serves as an associate professor and program coordinator for the Master of Science in Aviation Safety at the Worldwide Campus, where he teaches, mentors graduate students and oversees curriculum development and program assessment.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Dr. Winingar’s career includes leadership roles at Potomac TRACON, Minneapolis Tower, Fairbanks ATCT/TRACON, and the FAA Academy. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from Walden University, a Master of Science in Business Management from Mid-America Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

  • D.B.A. - Doctor of Business Administration, Walden University
  • M.A. - Master of Arts in Business: Organizational Leadership, MidAmerica Nazarene University
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • MSAS 627: Avia Sfty Data Mgmt and Anyl
  • MSAS 621: Avia/Aero Safety Program Mgmt
  • MSAS 615: Avia/Aerosp Acc Inv & Anyls
  • MSAS 611: Avia/Aerosp System Safety

Dr. Joseph R. Winingar has over two decades of leadership in aviation safety, operational oversight, and organizational performance. As Director of Safety for the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, he led national safety initiatives across the National Airspace System, managing a team of 165+ professionals and a $14.6M budget.

He also served as Acting Deputy Vice President of Safety & Technical Training, overseeing 560 employees and a $125M budget, developing the FAA Integrated Safety Dashboard, and advancing workforce training programs for over 1,800 new air traffic controllers.

Dr. Winingar’s earlier roles include Air Traffic Manager positions at Potomac TRACON, Minneapolis Tower, and Fairbanks TRACON, as well as instructor and evaluator assignments at the FAA Academy. His leadership has consistently focused on safety innovation, data-driven risk management and talent development across complex aviation environments.

U.S. Department of Transportation Meritorious Achievement Silver Medal – honored for exceptional leadership and contributions to national aviation safety

FAA Special Act Award – recognized for leadership in the Air Traffic Controller Fatigue Study and national safety policy advancements

CANSO Safety Standing Committee Nominee – represented FAA in advancing global aviation safety practices