Tony Vander Velden

Commercial Systems

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Tony Vander Velden loves his job — mainly because he feels lucky to have customer interaction first hand. This principal systems engineer in the Next Generation Avionics Department at Rockwell Collins also enjoys hearing customers' initial responses and their opinions about our company's products.

"I work mostly with business and regional airplane companies and aviation dealers," said Vander Velden, who joined Rockwell Collins in October of 1995. "It's my job to figure out what products best suit our customers' needs, to help them test those products, and to lead them through any troubleshooting."

Delivering products and working face-to-face with customers on the front line requires a lot of trust, added Vander Velden. But the trusted relationships he has formed over the years have helped him secure some longtime customers.

"Our company is committed to quality," said Vander Velden, who was one of 14 finalists for the Rockwell Collins 2006 Corporate Engineer of the Year award. "I stand behind our products — and, in turn, Rockwell Collins stands behind me."

Working in the aftermarket provides Vander Velden with a chance to not only test products in the lab, but also to see those products installed on the airplane. In addition, his expertise allows him to introduce the technological innovations that will heighten safety in the cockpit.

"Our customers want the latest and greatest in both safety and technology," said Vander Velden. "Working in the aftermarket is very exciting, and it's a great feeling when you know your customers are happy."

A native of Kimberly, Wis., Vander Velden graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Always a fan of math and science, he knew early on that he wanted a career that would allow him to use both skill sets.

"I always wanted to make things work," said Vander Velden. "And now, I am doing exactly that."