K-State Salina

Tysen Pina

Honor the past, grow into the future!

Building a culture of establishing world-class safety, leadership and honoring K-State Salina’s rich aviation history is the standard that Tysen Pina is creating as the aviation department head.

As the department head, Pina oversees the aviation program focusing on expanding industry-relevant academic offerings, strengthening alumni and industry partnerships, enhancing safety management and strategically positioning the program for future success.

Having retired from the United States Air Force, Pina brings over 21 years of aviation experience. His expertise spans program management, process improvement, strategic planning, aviation training and leadership.

“My heart is in all things aviation, building organizations and pouring into people and making them better every day. I knew that once my time in the Air Force was over, I knew I wanted to be in aviation. When I first met the K-State Salina faculty, their connection, and excitement really shines through; this campus and the spirit that it has really motivates me. I see that this institution is here for the student,” Pina said.

Prior Experience:

  • 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron Commander (E-3G AWACS), Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City
    As the squadron commander, he was responsible for a 362-member organization where he led restructuring and implemented process improvement and changes. Pina trained staff on leadership and management capabilities and maximized performance growth, which included leading training, performing nearly 1,000 aircrew evaluations, leading an operation division that flew more than 700 missions and graduated 611 students in two years, and supervising project managers directing flying schedules, aircraft maintenance, aircrew training and student flow, amongst other duties.
  • 16th Airborne Command & Control Squadron wing inspector general/director of operations/mission crew commander (E-8C JSTARS), Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
    Holding many roles at Robins Air Force Base, Pina led seven team members responsible for inspection programs for 4,500 individuals, ensuring compliance and maximizing unit readiness as the Wing Inspector General. He also verified effective combat mission usage of E-8C JSTARS aircraft, coordinated training and administrated scheduling, amongst other duties as the director of operations.
  • 422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron assistant director of operations/command & control division commander, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
    Pina led a multi-organizational integration and synchronization, designed operational test and evaluation programs. He also led test efforts between four international forces, and controlled U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Office of Secretary of Defense priority tests that generated $850 million.
  • Other positions:
    • Regional engagement strategist
    • Wing executive officer/E-3 air battle manager/Instructor senior director
    • Chief standardization & evaluation / E-3 air battle manager / senior director
    • Chief of training / instructor air battle manager
    • Flight commander / instructor air battle manager
    • Assistant director of operations
    • Chief wing weapons & tactics training

Education:

  • Master of Science in business organization and leadership, University of Kansas
  • Bachelor of Science in social sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy