65th Annual airport management Short Course program

Saturday, February 1

8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Accreditation Final Interview Workshop (Separate Registration Required)

This one-day workshop will assist candidates in completing the AAAE accreditation program and teach them how to better prepare for the final interview. Led by AAAE Board of Examiner Representative Rosalyn F. Bond, A.A.E., Deputy Director, San Jose Mineta International Airport

Location: Santa Barbara Room

8:45 am to 4:30 pm

The Role of the Airport Attorney Workshop (Separate Registration Required)

The goal of The Role of the Airport Attorney workshop is to facilitate the sharing of knowledge amongst public-use airport managers and their attorneys, learn new material beneficial to aviation job responsibilities with ever-changing rules and regulations, find new opportunities for collaboration and networking, all while providing valuable professional development and experience in beautiful Monterey.

Location: San Carlos 3

6:00 pm to 6:30 pm

SWAAAE Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
Rockfish Harbor Grill: 101 Fishermans Wharf #1, Monterey, CA 93940

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Board of Directors and Conference Committee Dinner (By Invitation Only)

Rockfish Harbor Grill: 101 Fishermans Wharf #1, Monterey, CA 93940

Sunday, February 2

8:00 am to 11:30 am

SWAAAE Board of Directors Meeting

All Chapter members are invited and encouraged to attend Board of Directors’ meetings. If you are interested in attending, please contact Executive Director Cathy Herring. Virtual participation is available.

Location: Ferrantes Bayview (top floor of hotel)

11:00 am to 5:00 pm (12:00 pm shotgun start)

Todd McNamee Past President's Golf Tournament at Del Monte Golf Course (Separate Registration Required)

Registration required via the conference registration form (limited club rentals available first come, first served). Guests are welcome to register!

Del Monte Golf Course: 1300 Sylvan Road, Monterey, CA 93940

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm 

Board & Brush Class, Sponsored by Monterey Regional Airport (Separate Registration Required)

Join us for an afternoon of fun and creativity at the renowned Board & Brush Creative Studio! This hands-on workshop lets you design your very own custom wooden sign. Choose from a variety of stylish templates available in the collection to craft a piece that's uniquely yours. Attendees are welcome to bring snacks into the workshop, and Board & Brush sells wine, beer, champagne, hard sodas, sodas and sparkling water for attendees to purchase.

Board & Brush Creative Studio: 458 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA 93940 (transportation not included)

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Registration Open

Stop by registration to pick up your name badge and conference materials. Conference information will be accessible via the Whova conference app.
Location: San Carlos Foyer

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Exhibitor Set-Up

Location: San Carlos Foyer

6:15 pm to 7:15 pm

Michael A. Shutt YoPro, New Attendee & Mentor Meet and Greet, Sponsored by HMMH

First time attendees, new SWAAAE members and young professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend to meet and network with others before the conference officially kicks off.
Location: Characters

7:15 pm to 10:30 pm

Transportation Begins to Welcome Reception - Shuttle

Two 24/28 passenger buses will be providing shuttle service from the Monterey Marriott starting at 7:15 p.m. and will be continuously running to and from Other Brother Beer Co. every 20-30 minutes, or as needed, until 10:30 p.m. (last shuttle will leave Other Brother Beer Co. at 10:15 p.m.).

7:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Welcome Reception at Other Brother Beer Co., Sponsored by Oshkosh AeroTech
Kick off the conference over networking, beer, wine, heavy appetizers, board games and trivia at Other Brother Beer Company! Roundtrip shuttle transportation will be provided from the Monterey Marriott. All attendees must bring a valid ID, regardless of how "young at heart" you are.

Other Brother Beer Company: 877 Broadway Ave, Seaside, CA 93955

10:30 pm to 11:30 pm

After Hours Networking and Wine Tasting - Movie Night, Sponsored by JE Dunn Construction
Location: Characters

Monday, February 3

7:00 am to 8:00 am

Morning Mavericks - The Walk
Meet in the Monterey Marriott hotel lobby

7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Registration

Location: San Carlos Foyer

7:30 am to 8:30 am

Hot Breakfast with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity

Location: San Carlos Foyer

8:30 am to 9:00 am

Conference Opening Ceremonies

Conference Chair: Angi Daus, MPA, Marketing Supervisor, City of Santa Barbara Airport

SWAAAE President: Courtney Johnson, C.M., C.A.E., Director of Airports, County of San Luis Obispo

Location: San Carlos 2-4

9:00 am to 10:15 am

Keynote: Jennifer Zientz, Director of Programs and Head of Clinical Services, Center for BrainHealth, Sponsored by Vantage Group

Location: San Carlos 2-4

10:15 am to 11:00 am

Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways, Sponsored by Stantec

Location: San Carlos Foyer

11:00 am to 12:00 pm

SWAAAE General Membership Meeting + AAAE Elections

Location: San Carlos 2-4

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Lunch on your own

12:15 pm to 1:15 pm

Student/YoPro Lunch, Sponsored by WSP (By Invitation Only)

Invitations to participate in this lunch will be sent via email and a ticket will be required to attend. We look forward to connecting student attendees with industry YoPros in an intimate and meaningful way over lunch!
Alvarado Street Brewery: 426 Alvarado Street Monterey, CA 93940

1:30 pm to 2:45 pm

Session A: What in the Workforce?! A Workshop on Building Talent Inclusively

Join us for an engaging session inspired by the AAAE ACT Program working group on workforce development, featuring a team of speakers with perspectives from prime and subconsultant roles. This dynamic discussion will explore innovative strategies to create a more inclusive aviation workforce by addressing financial, social, and community outcomes.

The interactive workshop explores approaches to expose emerging talent to aviation, upskill and train individuals for operational resilience, and creatively include marginalized workforce members. We’ll unpack real-world challenges—such as homelessness, reintegration for the formerly incarcerated, childcare needs, transit constraints, and lack of training or licenses—and share actionable solutions for overcoming these barriers.

Attendees will leave inspired with practical tools to reimagine opportunities for individuals while meeting the diverse needs of airports and fostering equitable workforce development.

Location: San Carlos 2-4

Speakers:

Monique Jackson, Founder & CEO, L & F Project Management

Dassie Persaud-Van Der Westhuizen, ENV, SP, Aviation Planner - Sustainability, Mead & Hunt, Inc.

2:45 pm to 3:30 pm

Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways

Location: San Carlos Foyer

3:30 pm to 4:45 pm

Session B: Smart Airports: Leveraging Technology and Data for Tomorrow

Airports should be aware of technological advances in the industry. This session will discuss some of those advances including the use of big data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the equipment supporting these advancements.

Location: San Carlos 2-4

Moderator: Cole T. Hartfiel, C.M., Senior Airport Planner, Sacramento County Department of Airports

Speakers:

Samuel G. Ingalls, IAP, A.A.E, Principal, BARICH, Inc.

Art Rempp, C.M., CIO/IT Director, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

Randy Lack, Global Manager, Dell Technologies

3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Corporate Membership Meeting

This meeting is open to all SWAAAE Corporate members to attend.

Location: Ferrantes Bayview (top floor of hotel)

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Dinner on your own

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Monday Night Dessert Networking Event - Casino Night Supporting Bruce Loev and the SWAAAE Foundation, Sponsored by McCarthy Building Companies

Join us for a high-stakes evening at the Monday night event, where networking, excitement, and charity come together. Test your luck at the blackjack tables, roll the dice at the craps tables, or spin the roulette wheel all in support of the SWAAAE Foundation and the tradition of honoring Bruce Loev. 

This event will take place at the Monterey Beach Station (walking distance from the Monterey Marriott, transportation not provided). Desserts and beverages will be served. Attendees will receive $200 of "casino money"; additional "casino money" may be purchased with a donation to the SWAAAE Foundation.

Monterey Beach Station: 285 Figueroa St., Monterey, CA 93940

10:00 pm to 11:00 pm

After Hours Networking and Wine Tasting, Sponsored by JE Dunn Construction

Location: Characters

Tuesday, February 4

7:00 am to 8:00 am

Morning Mavericks - Yoga

Join us for an energizing yoga-inspired stretching session, led by Yuma’s own Gladys Brown.

Location: Ferrantes Bayview (top floor of hotel)

7:45 am to 8:30 am

Hot Breakfast with Exhibitors

Location: San Carlos Foyer

8:30 am to 3:15 pm

Registration

Location: San Carlos Foyer

9:00 am to 10:00 am

Session C1: Unpackaging Section 743 from FAA Reauthorization 2024 and FAA Land Use Policy

The 2024 FAA Reauthorization brought several updates to the FAA's rules and regulations, including the replacement of Section 163 with Section 743, a new regulation governing how the agency manages airport land use changes. Section 743 represents a significant shift from previous guidelines. This session will highlight the key differences, clarify the responsibilities of both the FAA and airport sponsors, and explain the implications for the FAA's land use policy.

Location: San Carlos 2-3

Speakers:

Steven Osit, Kaplan Kirsch LLP

Barbie Schalmo, AICP, C&S Companies

9:00 am to 10:00 am

Session C2: Innovative Solutions for Modern Airport Challenges: Collaborating with FAA Leadership

This one-hour session challenges airport professionals to tackle real-world issues in collaboration with FAA representatives. The session emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and interaction with FAA leadership.

Location: San Carlos 4

Moderator:

Nyika Allen, Sr. Director, Global Operational Excellence, Vantage Group

Speakers:

Amy Choi, Manager, San Francisco Airports District Office, Western-Pacific Region

Brian Armstrong, Manager, Safety & Standards Branch, Western-Pacific Region

Mike Williams, Manager, Phoenix Airports District Office, Western-Pacific Region

Cathryn Cason, Manager, Los Angeles Airports District Office, Western-Pacific Region

Gordon Wong, Honolulu Airports District Office, Western-Pacific Region

Matthew Murphy, WSA NAS Planning Team Manager, FAA

10:00 am to 10:45 am

Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways

Location: San Carlos Foyer

10:45 am to 11:45 am

Session D1: Case Study: LAX Taxiway D Extension

This session will provide an overview of: Discussion between the engineer, contractor, and owner about the challenges faced during Taxiway D construction and how the team worked together to adapt, bring innovative solutions, and finish the project ahead of schedule, within budget, and without injury.

Partnering: Owner, engineer, and contractor all on same page about partnering throughout the project. Took collaborative approach. Partnering workshops, what’s working, what’s not working.

Pivoting: LAWA doubled size of project as a change order without changing schedule duration.

Location: San Carlos 2-3

Moderator: Brett Shank, Aviation Market Leader, RS&H

Speakers:

Byron Chavez, PE, Sr. Project Manager, RS&H

Travis Clausen, Sully Miller

Trent LeClaire, Construction Manager, LAWA Construction Manager

10:45 am to 11:45 am

Session D2: Ethical AI, Data Use and Public Trust in Airport Technology

With technological advancements and big data, there comes great responsibility in how we use technology and interpret sets of data. As public entities, airports needs to ensure they are properly utilizing the information they gather, ensuring accuracy and non-discrimination, and to be aware of the public perception of the invasiveness of what we gather.

Location: San Carlos 4

Moderator: Christian Pellecchia, Senior Client Solutions Manager, JE Dunn Construction

Speakers:

Peter Leroe-Munoz, General Counsel and Sr. VP of Technology and Innovation, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Art Rempp, C.M., CIO/IT Director, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

11:45 am to 1:15 pm

Lunch on your own

1:15 pm to 2:00 pm

Session E1: Preparing your Airport for Wildland Fire Support

Arizona, California, and Nevada airports are often called upon to support firefighting activities on a moment’s notice. This session will present a case study of the Chico Regional Airport and share best practices on how to be prepared when called upon in a wildland fire emergency. This discussion will include how to survey your airport and determine the locations for staging, fuel, water, and other utility access, airfield access, rental agreements, rates, and charges. Panelists will include an experienced airport director, CalFire, BLM or Forest Service and industry.

Location: San Carlos 2-3

Moderator: Kenneth G. Moen, A.A.E., C.A.E., President, Nevada Aviation Association

Speakers:

Tom Bahr, Manager, Chico Regional Airport

Paul Petersen, Executive Director, United Aerial Firefighters Association

Shem Hawkins, Battalion Chief, Chico Air Attack Base

Steve Martin, Battalion Chief, Tactical Air Operations – Fixed Wing Operations, CAL FIRE

1:15 pm to 2:00 pm

Session E2: Navigating the National Environmental Policy Act Process

This session will provide an overview of: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for airport projects, using real-world examples and lessons learned. The session will focus on key environmental and related concerns for Airports and how to take a proactive approach to addressing these issues as early in the process as possible to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts, reduce NEPA timeframes, and minimize potential for litigation.

Location: San Carlos 4

Moderator: Gene Reindel, Vice President , HMMH

Speakers: 

Missi Shumer, Principal Consultant - NEPA/Federal Programs, HMMH

Andrew Brooks, National Environmental Resource Expert, Federal Aviation Administration

Ted Anasis, AICP, Manager, Airport Planning, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

2:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Short Break

Location: San Carlos Foyer

2:15 pm to 3:00 pm

Session F1: Airport Project Life Cycle a.k.a. Why Did I Inherit the Facility Like This?

As part of our daily responsibility, many of us are focused on a single phase of the project life cycle and may have limited awareness, understanding, or influence of other phases. This interactive session will introduce the project life cycle of typical airport development projects and describe basic actions, decisions, and interdependencies associated with each phase. “Do it yourselfers”, members of multi-departmental teams, planners, engineers, builders, operators, and maintainers will all benefit from this session.

Location: San Carlos 2-3

Moderator: James H. Duke, III, PE, Vice President and Aviation Client Account Manager, Jacobs

Speakers:

Bryan Smith, AIA, PE, LEED AP, Design Principal, Jacobs

J. Brian O’Neill, A.A.E., Executive Director at Mesa Gateway Airport Authority

2:15 pm to 3:00 pm

Session F2: Runway to Success: Charting Efficient Delivery Methods for Aviation Infrastructure

This presentation delves into the critical risks owners face focused on design-related liabilities regarding the Spearin Doctrine and Professional liabilities and provides an in-depth analysis of the unique strengths and challenges contractors bring to each delivery method. We will also assess a range of alternative delivery methods, highlighting their advantages and limitations, and offering strategic guidance on selecting the most suitable approach for airport construction projects. Attendees will leave with valuable insights on balancing risk and efficiency to achieve optimal project outcomes in aviation infrastructure development.

Location: San Carlos 4

Moderator: Michael Hill, CPC, LEED, DBIA, Project Director, Sundt Construction

Speakers:

Brad Kirsch, Aviation Project Director, Sundt Construction

Jeff Hamilton, Vice President, Sundt Construction

3:00 pm to 3:45 pm

Break with Exhibitors – Learning/Networking Opportunity/Attendee Giveaways

Location: San Carlos Foyer

3:45 pm to 4:30 pm

Session G1: AAAE Frontline Leadership Training

Join us to learn about the AAAE Foundational Leadership Training and how to participate in the SWAAAE Cohort. This free virtual training is offered to all AAAE Members and designed for first time or front-line supervisors, targeting individuals who are stepping into their initial supervisory roles. Learn how you can grow your professional network while improving your leadership skills as part of this inaugural learning cohort!

Note: Registration for the AAAE Training is recommended but not required prior to attending this session.

Location: San Carlos 2-3

Moderator: Alice Bimrose, A.A.E., ACE, CAE, Executive Program Director, PSM Squared, Inc.

3:45 pm to 4:30 pm

Session G2: Surprising Secrets from Seasoned Leaders

Join this panel of leaders to learn the surprising aspects of the daily life of a seasoned leader. Hear about the challenges, lessons, and the compromises senior leaders made in their career journeys and every day lives.

Location: San Carlos 4

Moderator: Mindy Price, Chief PACE Setter, Direct Effect Solutions

Speakers:

Jason Watkins, A.A.E., CPA, CGFO, Aviation Chief Financial Officer, Broward County Aviation Department

Michael Hotaling, CEO, C&S Companies

Patricia Singh, Assistant Director of Aviation, San Jose Mineta International Airport

4:30 pm to 4:45 pm

Conference Wrap Up and Exhibitor Bingo Card Giveaway Grand Drawing

Must be present to win!

Location: San Carlos 2-3

6:00 pm to 6:45 pm

Cocktail Reception, Sponsored by Coffman Associates
Casual attire.

Location: San Carlos Foyer

6:45 pm to 8:30 pm

President’s Banquet 
Buffet dinner, casual attire.

Location: San Carlos 2-4

8:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Dessert Reception
Casual attire.

Location: Ferrantes Bayview (top floor of hotel)

Wednesday, February 5

10:00 am to 11:00 am

Summer Conference Committee Planning Meeting

All volunteers interested in serving on the 2025 Summer Conference Planning Committee are encouraged to attend this planning kick-off meeting. All are welcome, and it is a great way to get involved in the Chapter!

Location: San Carlos 4

*Program is subject to change

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