First Woman Thunderbird Lands at GSA

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October 7, 2008                                                                                            Contact: Mike Collins 202/510-1231
GSA # 10543                                                                                                                   michael.collins@gsa.gov

First Woman Thunderbird Lands at GSA

WASHINGTON—U.S. Air Force Major Nicole Malachowski, the first woman pilot selected to fly as part of the elite USAF Thunderbirds, has joined the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for one year as a White House Fellow, the agency announced today.

“GSA is an amazing agency that helps our nation in more ways than most people realize,” Malachowski said. “I’m thrilled to be here and looking forward to working on everything from presidential transition to emergency response and recovery issues.”

Acting Administrator Jim Williams said he was pleased that Malachowski chose to become part of the GSA team, that she will be an inspiration to the workforce, and that her leadership skills will be put to good use. “I was delighted that an exceptional leader of Nicole’s caliber, who already has great experience defending and serving our nation, will also help GSA better accomplish its mission in several critical areas,” Williams said.

While with the Thunderbirds, Malachowski was the right wing pilot in a four-jet diamond formation. In addition to being the first female Thunderbird, she was the first woman to fly with any Defense Department military jet demonstration team.

Malachowski, who has more than 2,100 flying hours, also flew the F-15E in three operational fighter squadrons, gaining combat hours in Operation Deliberate Forge and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was also selected to provide air cover over Baghdad on Iraq’s historic Election Day.

A frequent motivational speaker, Malachowski says she first became interested in flying at the age of five when she saw an air show in California. She learned to fly before she learned how to drive, and was flying solo by age 16. After high school, she went to the Air Force Academy, graduating with a B.S. in management and a minor in French. Malachowski also holds an M.A., with honors, in National Security Policy from the American Military University.

She most recently served as Deputy Chief, Commander’s Action Group, at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center.

GSA provides a centralized delivery system of products and services to the federal government, leveraging its enormous buying power to get the best value for taxpayers.

• Founded in 1949, GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 208,000 vehicles.

• GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 425 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services.

• GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.

Did You Know? The Department of Defense is one of GSA’s top client agencies.

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