Delta State University’s Department of Commercial Aviation recently welcomed Sam Washington as a new faculty member. Washington joins the aviation department teaching management courses in aviation safety, aviation law, human factors, and intro. to aviation.
Prior to joining the faculty, Washington was Delta State’s director of procurement and auxiliary service, a position he began in 2003. He was responsible for overseeing purchasing and accounts receivable, property management, and served as risk manager overseeing both liability insurance and inspections for safety initiatives. In 2010 Washington left the position to start his own consulting firm, Wash 4 Management Group, LLC. His consulting and contractual services in procurement landed him a contract with the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority coordinating the recent Hawkins Field Air Show in Jackson.
Washington’s professional experience includes serving as an accounting auditor for the Mississippi Board of Nursing for nine years, serving the Yazoo County Department of Human Services in accounting and child support enforcement for over four years, and serving part-time over the Debt Education for Business Transformation and Sustainability (DEBTS) Program for almost a year. In 2006 he received a master’s degree in commercial aviation and in 2009 a master’s degree in business administration, both degrees from Delta State. From 2007 until 2009 he taught as an adjunct instructor. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in human capital development at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Originally from Yazoo City, Washington has always maintained a fascination with the aviation industry. While in college, he served in the Air Force ROTC, and joined the Air Force after graduating in 1986 with a degree in business administration. Upon returning home, he completed two six-year tours in the Mississippi Air Guard.
As an instructor, Washington hopes to develop a greater public awareness of career opportunities in aviation. He also hopes to introduce more minority students to careers in aviation. “Commercial Aviation is such an exciting and rewarding career field,” said Washington. “I am excited about expanding our outreach and introducing aviation to students who may have never considered it before.”
