John D Washington is a long-time volunteer public servant, neighborhood advocate, and commercial pilot who resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is an aerospace engineering graduate of the University of Tennessee and a graduate of United States Air Force pilot training at Williams AFB, now Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
While on active duty, John worked in airspace management, flight training research, and night vision training. He holds a commercial pilot's license with multi-engine, instrument, and seaplane ratings. John set a US national aviation speed record in FAI Category C-1a/0 (European microlight, under 300kg gross weight) in 1987 flying Alex Strojnik’s S-4 “Laminar Magic.”
After active duty, John has owned his own composite materials manufacturing company, specializing in lightweight body panels for vintage sports cars and medical device prototypes.
John was the founding chairman of the Coalition of Greater Scottsdale citizens' group which advocates for better land use planning in support of residents' quality of life. In 2009 John was appointed by the Scottsdale City Council to the Airport Advisory Commission, where he was elected to a term as vice-chair. John served two years on the Arizona Business Aviation Association board of directors and two years as Scholarship Committee chairman.
John publishes the local interest blog ScottsdaleTrails.com and the more politically-focused ScottsdaleCitizen.com.