SWAAAE 2021 Hybrid Summer Conference  

David Wise is a born and raised Nevadan, graduate from Wooster High School, avid outdoorsman and adrenaline enthusiast. His day job is competing on the US Olympic Team for Men’s Half-Pipe Freeskiing, which has taken him to Russia in 2014 and South Korea in 2018 Winter Olympics. He has also had the privilege of competing at the X Games in Aspen, CO for the past eleven years. David is dynamic and talented beyond the ski slopes. He fantasizes about one day going to the summer Olympics for archery. He is an author, mental strength coach, marriage counselor and minister, YouTube Vlogger, and works closely in the Reno community as a volunteer. David lives in Reno, NV with his wife and their two children. Together they raise their own meat and produce on a tiny farm and hope to continue their journey towards self sustainable living.

Renju works as a Project Manager/ Associate Engineer for the Aviation & Federal group at Burns & McDonnell in Los Angeles, California. Ren is a project manager and civil engineer with more than 19 years of aviation engineering experience, specifically in airfields design, and has worked on large commercial airfield projects across North America. He has worked on aviation projects at Los Angeles International Airport, Ontario International Airport, San Diego International Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield Intl Airport, Chicago O’Hare Intl Airport, etc. to name a few. His experience ranges from performing airfield and pavement design, conducting pavement management programs, performing to aircraft movement and aircraft parking modeling etc. He holds a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Professional Engineer in California and Arizona.

Driven by her passion for diversity and outreach, Tanya Adams has more than 34 years of experience in the transportation industry serving in several prominent leadership roles. She was named WSP USA’s Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion in March 2021, and is responsible for implementing the company’s three-year Strategic Plan to deliver equity and equality for WSP USA employees and the communities the firm serves. She partners with WSP USA’s Executive Leadership Team to ensure that company policies and practices promote equity, inclusion and diversity. Tanya also works with WSP USA’s business lines, regions and functional groups to create a work environment that produces three key outcomes: a culture of trust that provides safe spaces for sensitive conversations; increased workforce diversity and advancement of WSP diversity talent; and greater support for WSP colleagues who are leaders in underrepresented communities. In addition, in her role as Community Relations & Diversity Manager, she advocates for minority business involvement in both the engineering and business communities and on WSP USA’s contracts.

Prior to joining WSP, she served in leadership roles with the Illinois Department of Transportation for 19 years. Tanya is actively involved in diversity initiatives with community organizations—serving alongside many minority business partners—and she develops and directs both internal and external programs to meet business diversity needs. Tanya’s personal objective is to see the diverse faces of America equally reflected at all levels of the transportation industry. She has devoted her career to serving as an advocate and a resource to minority individuals and businesses. She is the first African American woman in the state of Illinois to be elected to the board of the American Council for Engineering Companies and currently serving as secretary. Tanya is also a member of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) and 1st Vice Chair of Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).

Skye graduated from Jacksonville University with B.S. in Aviation Operations and Management and has led teams in aviation and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. Skye is passionate about aviation and clean energy and has been honored to contribute to teams at companies large and small that are making a difference in both areas. Skye is a commercial pilot who has flown Embraer regional jets for nearly 5 years as a First Officer and when promoted Captain, flew Canadair CRJ 700s. He held roles as an Adjunct Professor and certified flight instructor (CFI), CFII, MEI at Jacksonville University. Skye served as VP for a large transportation and logistics firm where he led the sales team in all western states before ultimately moving to the EV sector. As National Sales Director for an EV startup, Skye worked with the State of California, various utilities, and numerous municipalities to further the adoption of clean transportation and EV infrastructure. Skye joined BETA in the summer of 2021 and is focused on building out the EV charging infrastructure across the United States to advance BETA’s development of ALIA, a zero-emissions aircraft.

Scott Cary has more than 25 years of experience leading planning, finance, design, acquisition and construction teams for Port, Airport and Department of Defense infrastructure and facilities efforts, worldwide. For the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Mr. Cary aligns port and airport programs lab-wide, integrating the unique expertise of a Department of Energy National Laboratory with aviation and maritime needs. Clients currently include multiple large hub airports, the FAA, and industry collaboration across the Advance Air Mobility spectrum. Mr. Cary is a licensed professional engineer and LEED accredited professional.

Cathryn joined the Western Pacific Region as the Manager for the Airports District Office in December of 2020. In this position, she works with a knowledgeable technical staff overseeing the Airport Improvement Program and the Passenger Facility Program. Cathryn began her career with the FAA in 1990 with the Office of the Chief Counsel in Washington DC. After a hiatus, Cathryn rejoined the FAA in the Office of Airports as a compliance specialist. Cathryn enjoys going to the beach, reading and, traveling.

Omar Daaboul, A.A.E. is the Assistant Airport Manager at the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport, and has been in that position for over 4 years. He has been involved in many facets of Airport management, and is primarily responsible for Airport Operations, Facilities Maintenance, Badging & Security.

He previously worked at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport as an Airport Operations Officer for over 3 years where he gained working experience in the operational environment of an International Airport.

Omar also served in the US Air Force as a Special Purpose diesel mechanic where he was awarded an Achievement Medal. He additionally worked abroad mostly in Air Freight before getting into the Airport Industry. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Aviation with a concentration in Airport Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, holds a Private Pilot License and is an Accredited Airport Executive with AAAE.

Omar enjoys traveling, mainly to France and Lebanon where he holds his family roots.

Holly L. Dixon, P.E. is the Assistant Manager of the Phoenix Airports District Office.

Holly brings a wealth of experience in engineering, project development and working with multiple stakeholders to this role. Prior to joining the Phoenix ADO as a Civil Engineer, Holly served as the State Airport Engineer for the State of Arizona, where she worked with numerous airports on pavement maintenance, safety enhancements and overall airport development. Holly spent a significant part of her career working for the State of Maine as a Civil Rights Office Manager, Program Manager, Project Manager, and highway engineer as well as previous service with the FAA with Tech Ops.

Holly & her husband Michael have a large, extended family and enjoy spending quality time with them, as well as friends and pets.

Captain LaPonda J. Fitchpatrick (Ret.), is the owner and senior consultant for her Human Resources Management, Aviation Security, Law Enforcement and Organizational Development firm. She is an internationally recognized aviation security and law enforcement expert and trainer with over 36 years of experience. She provides organizations with the essential tools and insights necessary to add value to their workforce. With a diverse consultancy of local, state, federal, and international aviation security, law enforcement and other organizations, both public and private, she develops policies and procedures for safety, security systems, methods and procedures, and emergency management; conducts security risk and threat assessments and develops field, classroom and online training courses.

LaPonda is on the Advisory Council for The Center for Respectful Leadership, a non-profit, educatonal organization committed to supporting leadership and organizational transformation through: active research, public dialogues, learning & development programs, and executive coaching, all focusing on the positive power and measureable impact of respect and Respectful Leadership.

Having a passion for Human Resources Management with a focus on non-discrimination, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and unconscious bias, LaPonda helps organizations improve their service to both their internal and external customers by understanding that an organization is only as good as its culture and its employees. She performs organizational analysis, employee satisfaction surveys, provides employee coaching, develops and instructs on workplace violence and diversity and inclusion training among other Human Resources Management issues. She helps organizations provide their teams with the essential tools and insights necessary to add value to their workforce to increase their bottom line. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management where she obtained her designation as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). As a lifelong learner and researcher, she has received certificates in employee coaching and assessments including the PeopleMap6™ Leadership Coach Approach Program, 360° Degree Assessments, Coaching Using the Big Five Model of Personality, and a Certification from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations in Diversity and Inclusion and Unconscious Bias. She is a Qualified Administrator (QA) of the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®), the premier cross-cultural assessment instrument of intercultural competence that is used by thousands of individuals and organizations to build intercultural competence to achieve international and domestic diversity and inclusion goals and outcomes. ​

An avid researcher, LaPonda makes informed recommendations for compliance, implementation and strategy to develop training through comprehensive analysis of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, scholarly works, articles, court decisions, and common sense and best practices. She develops policies and procedures, security technology and procedural recommendations, organizational realignment suggestions, diversity and inclusion initiatives, individualized coaching programs and other necessary guidelines based on these analyses.

Understanding the dynamic and diverse venue that a global system such as aviation presents, post-9/11, LaPonda created an international aviation law enforcement training program that has been an industry standard for more than 17 years. She has trained well over 2000 police officers, TSA and other aviation security personnel across the country and internationally on their law enforcement and security responsibilities in the unique aviation environment. This included the law enforcement components for Atlanta-Hartsfield, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, and the Massachusetts State Police F-Troop assigned to Boston Logan Airport to name a few. LaPonda has developed and instructed additional training courses including a 3-day executive level course in Crisis Management, Active Shooter Response for an international audience, Psychological Preparedness, Diversity and Inclusion, Workplace Violence Prevention for Managers, and many others. She has been featured as an aviation security and law enforcement expert on NBC and ABC affiliates, other news outlets and in newspapers and magazines across the nation and internationally.

Prior to retirement with the Los Angeles World Airports Police, LaPonda was the Commanding Officer of the Professional Standards Section where she updated, developed and reviewed all policies, procedures, employee conduct (Internal Affairs), employee training (police academy and continuing professional), hiring standards and police officer pre-employment investigations for over 1100 employees. LaPonda was the liaison to the EEO Coordinator and conducted and reviewed complex discrimination and sexual harassment investigations involving police and civilian employees through their conclusion. She served as a pre-disciplinary hearing officer and assisted the City Attorney with defending personnel decisions to the Civil Service Commission and in Superior Court. LaPonda had a unique role in that she represented both management and labor (union president) in collective bargaining negotiations and was a member of the City of Los Angeles Joint Labor-Management Committee that made recommendations on citywide collective bargaining contracts, employee administrative policy and procedures, and associated employee benefits.

LaPonda received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UCLA with a concentration on globalization and diversity. She received her Management and Executive Development certificates from the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). She also has certificates in Background Investigations, Tactical Commander, Managing Within the Law, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Labor/Management Collective Bargaining. She received her West Point Leadership diploma and Instructor Development certification from the Los Angeles Police Department and is a certified instructor in Franklin Covey’s Presentation Advantage™.

LaPonda received the National Black Police Association Outstanding African American Woman in Law Enforcement “Taking Charge of Change” Award in 2011, a California National Guard Commendation for the Post 911 Operation Safe Passage Training and Military Deployment to Airports in 2002, and a Federal Aviation Administration Certificate of Appreciation for Contributions to Aviation Safety and Security also in 2002.

An ardent sports enthusiast, LaPonda played on and coached the men’s basketball and co-ed softball teams for the Los Angeles Airport Police for many years and enjoys long-distance cycling and hiking. She was a member of the Police Unity Tour Team where she rode over 350 miles from Ground Zero in New York to the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial in Washington DC annually for several years. LaPonda is married to Bernard Fitchpatrick, a retired Los Angeles Police Department sergeant and avid trainer. They have three daughters, one son-in-law and one granddaughter. She lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Gene Frazier is a senior aviation executive with more than ten years of facilities management experience. He currently serves as the Deputy Director for Facilities & Engineering at the Mineta San Jose International Airport. Mr. Frazier earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Howard University and his master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans. He is a Certified Member (C.M.) of the American Association of Airport Executives, and has received designation from the International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) as a Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) and a Certified Facility Manager (CFM). Mr. Frazier was a 2020 recipient of IFMA’s Forty Under 40 award and a 2019 recipient of Airport Business Magazine’s 40 Under 40.

Brett has served as the Salinas Municipal Airport Manager since 2013. As the Airport Manager, he is responsible for finance and budget, strategic and capital planning, operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Prior to coming to Salinas, he managed and supervised airports for over 13 years including Page Municipal Airport, AZ; County of San Bernardino Airport system, CA; and Los Angeles County Airport system, CA.

Brett graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Business Administration. He is currently enrolled at Concordia University Irvine in the Organizational Leadership Graduate Program. In 2010 he, received his private pilot’s license. He is a Certified Member of AAAE.

Katherine Goudreau is Managing Director – Facilities, with responsibility for the facilities at American’s hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Phoenix as well as all of American’s US spoke airports.

Some of her significant programs include:

• Leads American’s team responsible for the $1.6B Terminal redevelopment program at LAX working closely with the Los Angeles World Airport

• Responsible for numerous system-wide planning/design/construction programs

• Leads the strategic planning for American Facilities at CLT responsible for coordination with the CLT Airport on master planning and for all planning, design, and construction impacting American operations at the airport

• Leeds American’s team responsible for the all facilities redevelopment efforts for American spaces at PHL

• Responsible for Corporate space and planning/design standards

Before joining American, she worked for Burns & McDonnell, as Vice President Aviation. She led a major redevelopment effort at PHL, managed two merger programs for a major airline, and managed system wide programs upgrading infrastructure at over 200 airports, including upgrades to customer facing airline spaces and baggage systems.

Todd is the third CEO in the Association’s history. Todd joined AAAE in 1991 and prior to becoming CEO was responsible for overseeing AAAE’s interactions with Congress and the Executive Branch agencies. Before joining AAAE, Todd served as a Congressional Relations Officer handling aviation issues at the Department of Transportation.

Prior to his service at the Department of Transportation, Todd served on the White House staff of President Ronald Reagan as Associate Director of Cabinet Affairs. He also worked at the Department of Commerce, first in the Congressional Affairs office, then directly for the Secretary of Commerce. He began his career on Capitol Hill working on the staff of the House Republican Research Committee. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara. Todd is married with three sons. He and his family reside in McLean, Virginia.

Mr. Hedlund joined Sundt Construction in 1984 and currently serves as Vice President and National Design-Build Leader for vertical building projects with a focus on D-B delivery in all markets. Mr. Hedlund has served in various project and management roles during his 35+ year career, which has included extensive industry involvement with the Design-Build Institute of America (2019 Chair of the National Board of Directors of DBIA), the Arizona Builders Alliance (2018 Chair), the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and many other industry and community organizations. In 2020, Mr. Hedlund received DBIA College of Fellows membership honoring him for his career-long contributions to Design-Build and the Industry. A Registered Professional Civil Engineer in Arizona, Mr. Hedlund received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University. He has widely presented on many topics including Leadership, Design-Build Best Practices, Integrated Project Delivery, Lean Construction and Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Mr. Hedlund is an avid golfer, husband of 32 years to wife, Ellen, proud father of two young adults, and happy to be giving back to an industry that has given so much to him.

In 2015, Karl Hutter became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Click Bond, Inc. Prior to becoming CEO, from 2013-2015, Karl served as the Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of the company. From 2008-2013, Karl served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, where he focused on building Click Bond’s reputation as a solutions partner, enabling Click Bond’s technology on the F-35 program and numerous other key platforms across the commercial and defense aerospace sectors.

Prior to leading the sales department, Karl spearheaded the company’s business development and applications engineering efforts across the Asia Pacific region, creating a strong foundation for global growth, particularly in Japan, China, and Australia. Karl holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science and in Entrepreneurial Management and Operations management from the Wharton School.

Karl is a certified Airline Transport Pilot and is an active advocate for the aerospace industry. He serves on the board of directors for: Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Aerospace Locknut Manufacturers Association (ALMA), and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). He is the immediate past-Chairman of the Carson City Nevada Airport Authority and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cardigan Mountain School.

Angela Jamison is the Riverside County Airports Manager, where she manages 5 General Aviation airports.

Angela has a Masters degree in Regional Planning and Airport Development from the University of Illinois and 30 years of aviation experience including the FAA’s investment analysis group, the Illinois Division of Aeronautics, and two major aviation consulting firms. She also worked at San Diego International Airport where her responsibilities included managing the San Diego International Airport Development Plan, and Land Use Planning for the 16 airports in San Diego County, and LAX, where she was the Division head for Strategic Operations. She is an instrument-rated commercial pilot with a habit of deliberately scheduling connecting commercial flights if the opportunity exists to see an airport she hasn’t seen before.

Alex has 13 years of experience in the airport industry, currently serving as the Manager of Finance and Budget for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. He is responsible for finance, budget, and risk management. Prior to the airport industry, Alex was the Manager of Accounting for one of the gaming properties in Reno.

Alex received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from USAMV University in Romania, a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University, and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Wester Governors University. He is a Certified Member of AAAE.

Lawrence J. Krauter currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Spokane International Airport, Felts Field and Airport Business Park, collectively referred to as Spokane Airports.

Before joining Spokane Airports, he served as the Interim Executive Director of the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority (Pennsylvania) and also served as the Deputy Executive Director and as the Director of Planning & Engineering. Prior to working for the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority, Larry held the position of Airport Planner at the City of Columbus (Ohio) Division of Airports. He started his career as an Engineer Assistant with the Ohio Department of Transportation working on bridge and highway projects in northeast Ohio.

Larry is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

He is a Past President of the Aviation Council of Pennsylvania and was appointed by Governor Ed Rendell to serve two terms on the Governor’s Aviation Advisory Committee. Larry is an Accredited Airport Executive credentialed through the American Association of Airport Executives and he is a Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the professional credentialing institute of the American Planning Association. Larry also earned multiple professional certifications from the Construction Specifications Institute. Larry is an elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Larry served for 9-years as an appointed member and then Chairman of the City of Bethlehem (PA) Planning Commission, where he was involved in the largest brownfield redevelopment project in the country.

Larry is a Past President of the Northwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Larry is also a Past Chairman of the AAAE Operations/Safety/Planning/Emergency Management Committee. Larry is a member of the AAAE U.S. Contract Tower Association Policy Board and served as Vice-Chairman of the 2018 AAAE National Airports Conference. In December 2018, Larry was elected to the Executive Committee of the American Association of Airport Executives and is currently serving as Chairman.

Larry is a single-engine land (SEL) and single-engine seaplane (SES) rated pilot. Larry has received the Leadership Award from the Washington Airport Management Association; Airport Executive of the Year Award from the Northwest Chapter/AAAE, National Airport Director of the Year from Airport Revenue News magazine and Business Leader of the Year Award from the West Plains Chamber of Commerce.

In his community, Larry serves on multiple boards including the Spokane Regional Transportation Council; West Plains/Airport Area Public Development Authority; Gonzaga University School of Business, Spokane Good Roads Association and the Seattle Branch Council of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Larry is a member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, United States Seaplane Pilots Association, Washington Pilots Association and Washington Seaplane Pilots Association.

At the state level, Larry is an appointed member of the Governor’s New Mid-Market Aircraft Executive Council, charged with recruitment of future Boeing aircraft manufacturing programs as well as an appointed member of the Washington State Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission, charged with developing aviation system capacity recommendations to address long-term growth challenges.

He resides in Spokane, WA with his wife and daughter.

Thomas Mackie serves as an Aviation Program Director with Woolpert and is responsible for leading the direction of Woolpert's Aviation Market by supporting his team and clients by implementing programs which incorporate emerging geospatial technologies and applications to aviation focused programs. Thomas has a strong background in data development and systems deployment for aviation industry clients, including the FAA, public and private airports, the US Military, and land developers.

His over 25 years of geospatial experience ranges from field survey and remote sensing acquisition to program management. For the last 15 years, Thomas has been focused on consulting geospatial solutions at over 1,500 airports for airspace analysis, airfield mapping and inventory, enterprise information systems, CMMS, asset management, and remote sensing products. His most recent endeavor has been the integration of UAS related technology to the aviation industry, growing capabilities and solutions both internally to Woolpert as well as for the FAA and individual airports across the country.

A graduate of The Ohio State University, Thomas received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and Remote Sensing in 1997, returning to OSU to complete a Geodetic Sciences degree in 2004. He is a proud Clevelander, a Vice President of the firm and a licensed Professional Surveyor in the great State of Ohio.

John has 34 years of experience executing a wide range of project types in the aviation industry. He is well versed in all aspects of design, project management, technical documentation and construction administration. John leads a team of dedicated professionals, using his experience to distill the relevant issues out of often contradictory and competing requirements. A native San Diegan, John has been responsible for day-to-day management for many of Corgan’s most successful California projects, including their landmark Central Terminal B at Sacramento International and the Terminal Improvement Project at John Wayne Airport, named the best airport in 2018 by J.D. Power while construction was ongoing.

Gary has over 23 years in the aviation industry. He currently serves as the Aviation Director for Scottsdale Airport, which he has held since February 2010. His responsibilities include the overall operation and development of the airport and the surrounding aviation community in Scottsdale. Prior to his current position, Gary served as the Airport Manager at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport for five (5) years and his first stint with the City of Scottsdale was as the Assistant Aviation Director for Scottsdale Airport for eight (8) years.

Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree in Airway Science Management from Arizona State University. He is also a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives and a Certificated Airport Executive of the Southwest Chapter of AAAE (SWAAAE). Gary is a past president of the Arizona Airports Association and past president of SWAAAE.

He was the recipient of the 2003 and 2007 Presidents Award and in 2012 the Airport Executive of the Year for his service and dedication to the Arizona Airports Association. In 2008, Gary was one of the participants that received the 2008 FAA Herman C. Bliss award for his leadership and contribution to development of the Best Practices Guide. Gary is very active in the aviation industry and serves on several local, regional, and national boards and committees.

Mark began his professional career as a Structural Engineer for Albert Kahn Associates in Detroit, Michigan, and started his career in the FAA in 1991 as a Program Manager/Civil Engineer for the Chicago Airports District Office (ADO) where he working with Illinois and Indiana airports on airfield construction, airport funding, and airport pavements.

Mark served in the Great Lakes Region as Assistant Manager for the Chicago ADO and later the Manager of the Airports Planning & Programming Branch where he managed the region’s oversite of various programs including the Airport Improvement Program, Passenger Facility Charges, airport environment reviews, and airport planning.

On August 25, 2003, Mark was selected as Director of the Airports Division, Western Pacific Region. In this position, Mark provides leadership on a variety of airport funding, planning, certification, and environmental issues with about 330 airports located throughout Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Mark has found this to be his most professionally fulfilling job in the FAA.

Mark enjoys reading, sports, and traveling.

Ken is a life-long learner that began with his enlistment in the US Army in 1977 and baptism by basic training. This experience was followed by Army air traffic control school and subsequent graduation from community college. In 1982, Ken began his career as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration while earning BS Professional Aeronautics and Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ken simultaneously owned a publishing and printing company for 15 years during his FAA career and developed and created community publications that included Northern Nevada Business Weekly and Wolf Pack Edge.

Following retirement from the FAA in 2009, Ken spent a year at Baghdad International Airport training Iraqi controllers and supporting US Military operations with Washington Consulting Group. Ken began his civilian airport career in 2011 at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport advancing through airport operations and administration. Ken completed his AAE in July 2016. In 2018, Ken assumed the airport manager position at the Carson City Airport. In 2021, Ken was hired by Armstrong Consultants as a Special Projects Manager and Airport Planner. Ken has been married to Denise for 38 years…in a row! Ken is a father of two and grandpa of one.

Renita is the chief administrative officer and senior vice president for Burns & McDonnell, a $5.3 billion global engineering and construction firm. In her role, Renita oversees corporate services including human resources, marketing, communications, security, travel, fleet and facilities. Additionally, she leads the COVID-19 Response Team.

Renita joined Burns & McDonnell in 1988, beginning her career as a civil engineer, providing design and construction services across the U.S. Throughout the next two decades, she supported more than 100 projects for multiple aviation and military clients. In 2009, she was promoted to general manager for the California region and in 2011 was promoted to vice president. Under her leadership, this regional team grew from just a few employees to more than 250. The firm was named a best place to work seven times in southern California and revenue nearly quadrupled.

Her influence extends into mentoring, with an emphasis on promoting women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Renita helped form the Professional Women’s Exchange at Burns & McDonnell, which allows women to meet monthly to discuss challenges and learn from and engage with professionals. Additionally, Renita serves on the board for the Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council, the Professional Advisory Board at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and volunteers with Girls Inc.

Renita was named a Women of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal, Woman of the Year in 2017 by the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Long Beach and the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS)-San Diego Woman of the Year in 2015.

Renita earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. While her home is in Kansas City, Missouri, she is a frequent traveler enjoying unique destinations from Antarctica to the Galapagos Islands.

Katherine Preston, ENV SP is the Group Leader for HMMH’s Aviation Environmental Services Group and has been involved in the Aviation industry for more than 15 years. She has extensive experience in environmental policy and government affairs and has a passion for sustainability. Katherine has managed traditional environmental review projects, renewable energy feasibility studies, federal research projects for the Transportation Research Board (TRB), developed regulatory guidance, and community outreach tools. In addition, she is an active member of several industry trade associations, including the Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) and American Association of Airport Executives.

While working at ACI-NA, Katherine managed the association’s federal regulatory affairs and advocacy on a range of environmental policy issues including air quality, NEPA, water quality, waste management, noise and sustainability. She served as the committee secretary for the Environmental Affairs Committee and eight technical working groups, comprised of hundreds of members from both the public and private sector. Katherine also serves on the FAA’s Research, Engineering & Development Advisory Committee’s Environment and Energy subcommittee, and has participated as a panelist on a wide range of ACRP research projects.

Chad Reese is an Environmental Affairs Manager at the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the agency that manages the day-to-day operations of San Diego International Airport (SAN). He has a history in cleantech project management, and currently manages projects and policy related to the Airport Authority’s Sustainability Management Program including air quality and emissions, transportation electrification, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and waste reduction. He is also involved in the management of The Good Traveler, a carbon offset program developed and owned by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

Chad serves as Chair on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, is on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Regional Clean Cities Coalition, and he is on the Advisory Board of the San Diego Regional Smart Cities collaborative. He is a credentialed LEED Green Associate and a TRUE Advisor. He holds an MBA Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School, with a B.A. in Biological Anthropology from the University of California at San Diego.

As Vice President in the HMMH Aviation Environmental Services Group, Gene Reindel oversees a wide range of aviation noise consulting projects, offers industry experience to those projects and provides technical support to airport community noise forums throughout the U.S. His professional experience includes environmental projects, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state equivalents in California, Oregon and Washington; Airport Noise Compatibility Planning studies (Part 150); Airport Noise and Access Restriction projects (Part 161); airport ground noise studies, residential sound insulation projects, and noise modeling of aircraft operations. He is often involved in preparing for and directing major field measurement programs and advising on the acquisition and analysis of data. Mr. Reindel is a trained facilitator and leads public outreach programs associated with controversial noise studies and programs.

Brian Sandoval was appointed the 17th president of the University of Nevada, Reno, on Sept. 17, 2020, by the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents. He is the first person of Hispanic origin as well as the first alumnus to serve as president in university history.

Sandoval served two terms as the 29th Governor of the State of Nevada from 2011-2019, during which time his leadership helped lift Nevada from an historic recession to a time of record-setting prosperity and growth.

Term-limited following eight years as one of the most popular governors in Nevada history, Sandoval then became the president of global gaming development for MGM Resorts International, a member of the board of directors for Coeur Mining, and a senior fellow at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy. In addition, he was a Distinguished Fellow of Law and Leadership at UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law.

Prior to becoming governor, Sandoval was appointed United States District Judge for the District of Nevada, becoming the state’s first Hispanic federal judge. He also was elected Nevada’s Attorney General, was a member and at one point was the youngest chairman in the history of the Nevada Gaming Commission, and served two terms, 1994-1998, as an assemblyman in the Nevada State Legislature.

He has also served on several state boards and commissions, including the Nevada Boards of Pardons, Prisons, Transportation, and Examiners, the Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and was Nevada’s at-large member of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board.

Sandoval is a 1986 graduate of the University, with a degree in English. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Ohio State University Moritz School of Law in 1989.

Sandoval is married to Lauralyn McCarthy Sandoval, who is a 1992 graduate of the University’s Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism. She was also an intercollegiate athlete at the University, competing on the women’s tennis team. Sandoval has three children: James, Madeline, and Marisa.

Jeff has over 28 years of experience in the aviation industry and has worked at over 50 airports during his career. He joined Landrum & Brown (L&B) in 2018 following over 20 years of experience as an airport consultant with other firms, and experience as an airport affairs representative and operations analyst with United Airlines.

Jeff provides financial, business, and other consulting services to numerous U.S. airports. These services include financial feasibility analyses in support of over $10 billion in airport revenue bond issuances, airline rates and charges analyses, airport capital program feasibility analyses, airline use and lease agreement and other airport tenant negotiations, benefit-cost analysis and FAA letter-of-intent support for AIP grant funding, and aviation demand forecasting.

As a former airline representative, Jeff has negotiated the business terms and drafted provisions in airline-airport use and lease agreements. Jeff also prepared various financial analyses for United’s major hub airports, including airline rates and charges and airport capital development analyses.

He received a Bachelor of Science (Aviation Management) from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University.

Mr. Smith currently serves as the General Manager of the Truckee Tahoe Airport District in Truckee CA near the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he went to college at BYU, completing a master’s degree in Planning and Natural Resource Management in 1997. Before managing airports, Mr. Smith has held various positions at airport FBOs and then in local government including City Planner, Community Development Director, Reserve Police Officer, and Deputy City Manager for various communities in Utah. Mr. Smith is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and member of the AAAE Board of Examiners as well as a past member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Kevin is also an instrument rated private pilot. He currently resides in Reno, Nevada with his wife and 4 children.

Laurie has had an extensive career in Aviation, and more particularly with the FAA’s Airports organization. Laurie began her career in airport management, spending the first 14 years of her career managing general aviation and commercial service airports. Since coming to the FAA, Laurie has worked as Airport Certification Safety Inspector, Lead Safety Inspector, Compliance Inspector, Program Analyst in Headquarters, Assistant Manager of the MSP-ADO, Manager of the BIS-ADO, Deputy Manager in the DMA-ADO organization, Assistant Manager of the SFO-ADO and now as Manager of the SFO-ADO. Laurie has worked in AAL, ANE, AGL and now AWP. Laurie holds an Associate’s degree in Computer Science, a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Administration, and a private pilot’s license, with a preference in flying gliders and a J-3 Cub.

Maranda has over 20 years of experience in the practice of aviation planning. Maranda supervises our California planning practice and manages a wide range of aviation planning projects. Maranda has specialized expertise in airport land use compatibility planning and has an excellent understanding of the federal, state, regional and local planning framework. Maranda often shares her knowledge with the public, stakeholders and agency planners at various airports, as well as at conferences like the 2019 Transportation Research Board’s symposium in Washington, DC where she spoke on the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) project she managed, “Evaluating Compatibility Zoning at General Aviation Airports.” She arranges outreach activities for various clients and prepares presentations for webinars on emerging trends like the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Initiative aimed at our California Part 139 airports and infrastructure requirements to support Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)/Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations at airports.

Mike has been employed in the field of Airport Management for more than 20 years. Throughout his career, he has worked with state aeronautics agencies (Arizona, California), various divisions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aviation interest groups, various consulting organizations, numerous interested stakeholders, elected leaders and policy makers.

Mr. Williams has extensive experience in airport operations, safety, security, facility management and capital development. He has been responsible for preparing grant applications and managing multi-million dollar capital development projects, such as, terminal expansion, runway extensions, airport security, airfield improvements and coordinating with private developments. Mike has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the unique challenges facing construction in the airport environment.

He has provided leadership to organizations, with small teams to an entire department.

Mike is active in various industry associations, both on a local, regional and national level.