Diane Ronayne: Ed Stimpson earns Lifetime Achievement Award

"We couldn't wish for a more scenic backdrop," Steve Atkins said as he was gazing over the Valley from the Foothills home of Ed and Dottie Stimpson on Oct. 14. Atkins is the vice president for safety and quality for Boeing Co.

Atkins had just flown in from Washington, D.C., with Bill Voss, president of the Flight Safety Foundation and foundation counsel Ken Quinn to present Ed with the FSF-Boeing Aviation Safety Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gathered for the ceremony with the Stimpsons were former and present Boise Airport commissioners Barbara Wilson, Gordon Brookover, Russ Westerberg and Meg Carlson; Boise City Councilmen Jim Tibbs, Alan Shealy and David Eberle; Western Aircraft Co. president Al Hoyt; Boise Airport air traffic manager Gordon Stuart; Idaho Aeronautics Commission deputy director Mike Pape; astronaut Barbara Morgan; and friends Lynn Allison, Mark Hofflund and I.

"Ambassador Stimpson's work at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and service to the International Civil Aviation Organization and his years of dedication to the Foundation have left an indelible mark on aviation safety," Voss said.

In addition to serving as foundation chairman and as a longtime Capitol Hill lobbyist for General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Ed was the representative of the United States to the International Civil Aviation Organization for five years, starting in 1999, a post that carries the rank of ambassador. His term spanned the events of 9/11, and he became highly involved in the expansion of ICAO's civil aviation security program.

"You guided our safety endeavors in a way that honors people and values relationships," Atkins said to Ed. "That's what's so powerful about your leadership in aviation safety."

Voss added, "You kept safety visible and never let it get short-cut for the politics or for the money."

In a nod to Ed's work preserving air safety when "little planes are pointed at each other" in places like Cyprus and Turkey, Voss said, "Behind the scenes, you have a gentle way of coaxing the best out of people - I've seen it work around the world."

Barbara Wilson put it succinctly: "He's one of the classiest guys I've ever worked with."

When deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Lynne Osmus phoned to offer "congratulations on behalf of the FAA and the entire U.S. government," Ed gently changed the subject, stressing how important it is for TRACON to remain at the Boise Airport and reminding her, "There's an empty radar room in the new control tower just waiting for it."

Alan, a civilian pilot himself, pointed out that the letters "ES" on the Cessna ES172 tail number stand for Ed Stimpson.

"That came about as we were walking out of the White House after getting a product liability law passed that kept small planes flying," Ed said. "Russ Meyer, chairman of Cessna Aircraft Co., was so pleased he told me the first 300 new Cessnas would have 'ES' on the tail."

POEMS, PHOTOS AT DEPOT TODAY

"Poets at the Boise Train Depot," an open mic for poets to read their work, happens at 1 and 3 p.m. today and 5 p.m. Monday. To read, check in 20 minutes early with organizer Barbara Martin-Sparrow.

Photographs by Michael Falvey, master of line and color, are on exhibit, and the historic building (including the bell tower) is open from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 6 p.m. Monday. Information: 384-4240.

'ISLAM AND MODERNITY'

Boise State Writing Project hosts Fulbright Scholar Fikret Karcic from the University of Sarajevo as he discusses contemporary developments in the Muslim world at at 7 p.m. Monday at the BSU Student Union, Jordan Ballroom. Information: Jeff Wilhelm, 426-1199 or jwilhelm@boisestate.edu.

WANTED: LARGE, LIVE EVERGREEN

To donate the 20- to 35-foot-tall holiday tree for The Grove Plaza, contact Geoff Hundt, ghundt@downtownboise.org or 472-5252 by Monday.

Freelance writer Diane Ronayne: dianeronayne@gmail.com.