Thom K Henson

Thom K Henson is a former congressman and current businessman and head of the FAA and NTSB.

Born and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Henson attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for four years and received a bachelor's degree in economics. After graduating UNC-CH, Henson founded Blue Ridge Airways in 1995, currently the first airline in YAPmg.

Formerly representing the third South congressional district encompassing North Carolina, Henson entered the House of Representatives in 2000 and narrowly lost election in 2004.

## Personal Life

Henson was born on 27 February 1973 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He attended UNC Chapel Hill, graduating in 1995. During his time at UNC Chapel Hill, Henson was a part of the North Carolina Council for Environmental Safety, being elected in 1992 in a narrow victory.

In 1995, Henson started Blue Ridge Airways, which was the first commercial airline founded.

## Blue Ridge Airways

Henson founded Blue Ridge Airways on 4 April 2000, starting operations in August. Initially operating regional aircraft from Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the airline quickly grew to a large North Carolina-based airline by 2001. Blue Ridge Airways currently operates a fleet of over 75 aircraft.

## Political Career

### Elections

#### **2000**

Henson ran for the South House in 2000, representing CD-4 comprised up of North Carolina. Out of seven competitors, Henson was one of the five to be elected, winning with sixteen votes.

#### **2002**

Henson announced his candidacy for the 2002 South CD-3 House Election in December 2001.

Henson ran unopposed until one month before election day, where challenger Eugene V Debs entered. Polling indicated Henson and Debs were evenly split among potential voters. On election day, however, Debs was revealed to be underage and was illegally spreading his PAC group. Debs was disqualified the same day, allowing Henson to easily win the election with 63.2% of the vote.

**2004**

Henson, competing against Arjona, Nati and one other narrowly lost re-election due to vote splitting. After leaving office, Henson was put as the Director of the FAA.

### Events

#### **Hurricane Karen Response**

Prior to Hurricane Karen's landfall in 2001, Henson operated twenty-two evacuation flights operated by Blue Ridge Airways aircraft, four of which he flew. Additionally, Henson also performed five research flights that were operated within Hurricane Karen.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Karen, Henson donated $75,000 to the Hurricane Karen Relief Fund and spent six weeks in Texas in order to support the rebuilding effort.

#### **Economic Recession of 2001**

After the reset of the economy, Henson promised lower taxes and improved transportation within CD-3, effectively creating over 12,000 jobs.

Henson also testified before the International Court of Justice representing the United States of America after an alleged scandal between the US and South Korean government.

## Governmental Positions

**US House of Representatives:** 2000-2004

**US Department of Transportation:** 2001-2002

**National Transportation Safety Board:** 2001-Present

**Federal Aviation Administration:** 2005-Present