Donald W. “Donny” Cone Jr.

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On November 15, 2010

Job: Donald W. “Donny” Cone Jr., AE’02, Econ’02, is an air traffic controller and trainer at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.

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Donny Cone. (Photo by Steve Randon)

Position perks: “Every hour in every day is different. I have no idea what will happen when I plug in. Plus I get to look out windows and see airplanes and a beautiful view of Lake Pontchartrain.” Three sides of the airport are surrounded by water.

Hurdles: “I love textbook answers and equations, but I’ve had to learn to deal with non-textbook problems and solutions daily. There are no ‘cookie-cutter’ answers. I must know many rules and how to apply them; however, this job is so dynamic, I’m challenged regularly to quickly choose the best of many right answers.”

Jump starts: When he was in Rolla, he worked as a dispatcher at the Rolla Airport and earned his pilot license during his freshman year.

Off the clock: “I go kayaking at least once a month, day or night, rain or shine, summer or winter. It’s mentally relaxing and great exercise. I’ve also crewed for a hot air balloon team for a year and am looking to buy my own balloon. I’m not a movies and TV guy.”

Next up: Cone would like to meet the right woman, get married and settle down.

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On November 15, 2010. Posted in Features, Winter 2010