Joseph Hawkins oral history interview, 2017-05-15

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: This is Traci Drummond, I'm here today with Joseph Hawkins--

Segment Synopsis: Joseph Hawkins was born in Washington D.C. in 1949. Hawkins' father was in the air force (short term). Hawkins discusses growing up in D.C. (discusses race relations in his neighborhood).

Subjects: African-Americans; Families; World War (1939-1945)

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: Did your family participate in any of the marches--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses the segregated nature of his neighborhood and school. He discusses working for the summer school work program (after his junior year). This summer job inspired him to apply to colleges. He was accepted to Howard University.

Subjects: African-Americans; Military life; Music; Segregation in education; Sports

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: And you were 22--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses his studies in college. He studied economics (math minor). He was also involved in ROTC. He went to the air force after school (1972), but only was on active-duty for a year.

Subjects: College students; Education, Higher; Vietnam War (1961-1975)

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: So what did you do after you left the air force?

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses being interested in Federal Service. He worked in retail until he became a junior economist (government career). He discusses his work as an economist (1974-78). He then worked at the Coast Guard (cost-benefit analysis).

Subjects: Economics; Economists

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: And did you write the entire thing--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses his time at the Coast Guard. Subsequently, he went to work as an economist at the Federal Aviation Administration (1980). He also discusses a significant analysis he performed for the FAA.

Subjects: Aircraft industry; Economists

Partial Transcript: JOSEPH HAWKINS: I never relinquished it--I became branch manager--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses mentors of his at the FAA. He was also working on a Master's in Economics (Georgetown). Hawkins discusses his long experience completing his Master's at Georgetown.

Subjects: Education, Higher; Race relations

Partial Transcript: JOHN HAWKINS: Now--get back to Doug Brown again--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses his advocates at Georgetown (who helped him finish his Masters). He discusses ICAF (part of national defense university) and getting another master's in Public Administration.

Subjects: Armed Forces; Education, Higher

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: Like were they sort of holding the place for you to come back--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses his position at FAA after ICAF. He became an assistant to a director at FAA (rule making, regulatory process). He discusses working for Chris Christy (1990s). He also discusses being a part of an airline commission (under Clinton).

Subjects: Aircraft industry

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: For people who--and certainly I'm no expert here--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses issues with the airline industry and his participation in an airline commission. Hawkins discusses returning to his job working for Chris Christy (rule making). Hawkins subsequently took Christy's job (once he retired).

Subjects: Airlines; Rules

Partial Transcript: JOSEPH HAWKINS: Well, but everything can use some improvement--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses a large project he undertook while working with the rule making department.

Subjects: Airlines; Rules

Partial Transcript: JOSEPH HAWKINS: And I was the resurrector--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses September 11 2001 and the creation of TSA. He also discusses public meetings he was a part of (general public). He discusses his last day on the job (and the meeting held that day in 2004).

Subjects: Airlines; Meetings

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: So when you have a public meeting and members of the general public--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses how he managed public meetings. He discusses the aviation security advisory committee (ASAC).

Subjects: Committees; Meetings; Rules

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: What else is the TSA responsible for?

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses the roles of TSA. In 1999, Hawkins became deputy associate administrator for commercial space transportation (FAA).

Subjects: Airlines; Space flight; Transportation

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: How did those--You seemed to really enjoy being in the office of rule making--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins compares his TSA job to his earlier jobs in rule making (he preferred rule making & FAA). He discusses some issues he had with TSA. Hawkins also discusses awards he won throughout his career.

Subjects: Awards; Federal government; Federal government--Officials and employees; Rules

Partial Transcript: TRACI DRUMMOND: We never talked about that--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses his Master's of Public Administration from George Washington University. He also discusses the Howard University Economic Alumni Association.

Subjects: Economics; Education, Higher; Public administration

Partial Transcript: JOSEPH HAWKINS: Something that I'm--I guess I'm kind of--kind of proud of--

Segment Synopsis: Hawkins discusses a few significant moments he is particularly proud of from his career. Hawkins concludes his interview by discussing his air force experience.

Subjects: Education, Higher