Story ID: 
First Aviation Maintenance Engineer certified
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: Danielle Vezina, aviation maintenance coordinator for Daniel Webster College, is the first aviation professional in the U.S.
Word Count: 136
Danielle Vezina, aviation maintenance coordinator for Daniel Webster College, is the first aviation professional in the U.S. to be credentialed as a certified aviation maintenance engineer. Vezina earned the certification after passing the Professional Aviation Maintenance Associate-SAE Institute Aviation Maintenance Engineer test, which demonstrates advanced technical knowledge and validates core knowledge for FAA-certified A&P mechanics. Vezina participated in beta testing for the exam and program, both of which were launched in January.Vezina has been part of the Daniel Webster College staff for two years and an FAA-certified A&P mechanic since 2001. She earned her associate of science in aviation technology from New Hampshire Community Technical College in Nashua in 2001 and served in the U.S. Army for six years, during which time she received training to perform maintenance on Army helicopters.