Clayton Devere Hewitt

Born in Manhattan New York to Telford and Monica Hewitt, Clay grew up in the Bronx with his younger brother Russ. He had his special aunt Gwen and several other loving aunts close by.

With Clay’s father being from Barbados and mother from Anguilla, Clay spent many summers as a child in the Caribbean where he would walk to the ocean and play. Clay’s great grandfather, Herchel Gumbs, was a sea-captain as memorialized on the “Anguilla Sea-fearing Captains” postal stamp series, released on November 2013. Hence, Clay’s affinity for the ocean runs deep throughout the family bloodline. During those summers in the Caribbean, Clay also had the opportunity to fly in a plane alongside his uncle who was a pilot.

After graduating high school from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Bronx, New York, Clay went on to pursue his education in aviation at Embry-Riddle school in Orlando, Florida. He graduated in April of 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies and an M.S. in Aeronautical Science in 1980. Clay then began his career as a pilot operating flights for Cape Air Airlines.

Clay began his FAA career working as an Operations Inspector in the New England Region. In 1992 Clay was selected to work in the NY International Office (IFO) at JFK Airport to be the FAA’s Principal Operations Inspector. At that time one of the IFO responsibilities was conducting international aviation safety assessments of civil aviation authorities around the world. The purpose of these assessments was to ensure that the American public was safe on foreign air carriers.

Clay carried out many assessments while at the IFO, including assessments in Egypt, Hungary, Turkey and many other foreign locations. Clay was always eager for the world travel and was known to be very thorough with his assessments.

In addition to his international assessments, Clay was also approving new entry foreign air carriers to the United States, ensuring that they met all the safety standards that the Federal Aviation Administration required.

Clay’s drive for learning continued when he attended the Kennedy School of Executive Education at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA in 2002. Around this time, Clay also took residence in Bowie, Maryland when he transferred to the FAA in Washington, D.C.

While in Washington, D.C. Clay served in several leadership roles. He was a team lead for data information pertaining to the Runway Safety Program where he directed a team of data specialists to analyze and develop corrective programs to reduce the likelihood of runway incursions. These mitigation strategies were instituted nationwide. Clay was also the Regional Runway Safety Program Manager for both the Northwest Mountain and Great Lakes Regions in which he served as the focal point for all regional activities regarding runway safety.

Clay was then assigned to FAA Special Projects-Air Traffic Organization (ATO) where he formulated responses for Congressional hearings, reports, and inquiries. He then worked to develop safety guidance in operational services.

In 2013 Clay began working as a Program Analyst in the Air Traffic Safety Action Program. He reviewed and analyzed information to facilitate early detection and improved awareness of operational deficiencies and adverse trends in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). Clay was also responsible for all pilot information documentation and resolution to their observations. In this capacity he developed field guidance for all Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities. Overall, as a Safety Management System (SMS) qualified facilitator, Clay worked to provide a safer U.S. National Airspace System.

Clay became active in the First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Aviation Ministry. He served as a mentor to youth as he guided them along successful career paths in aviation. He was endearingly called “Mr. Smiley” by the youth in the Ministry because of his genuinely, friendly disposition and his excitement about aviation. He impacted several students and was formally recognized by the ministry for his dedication and service.

Clay truly lived his life to the fullest. His thirst for seeing the world led him to travel across the globe on personal travel with his beloved partner Nichele. They traveled to several Caribbean islands as well as several destinations in Italy and France including Naples, Sorrento, Salento, Amalfi Coast, Rome, Nice, Grasse, Antibes, Cannes, and St. Tropez. Clay especially loved visiting Monaco.

Clay is survived by his beloved partner Nichele, daughter Rayna, brother Russ, cousins and his God family: Carolyn (mom), James (dad), Sonya and Rene (sisters), Reggie (brother), and niece and nephew Erika and Derek along with special friends he considered family including Adrian, Andre, Vinny and wife Yvette (aka “Ma”), Marty, Alphonso and other dear friends.