Richard E. Gillespie

Executive Director, TIGHAR.

"Before founding TIGHAR, I had a long career in aviation safety, risk management, accident investigation, and underwriting. I got into that business because, although I have always loved aviation, I developed a loathing of airplane accidents after watching several friends die in a horrific multi-plane mid-air collision during an air race in Cape May, NJ in 1970. Airplane accidents take people away from people. They are, in most cases, preventable. All that is required is for the practitioners to approach aviation with discipline, respect, and responsibility." 2 March 2009 Forum.