65th Annual AIRPORT MANAGEMENT Short course

Jennifer Zientz, Director of Programs and Head of Clinical Services at Center for BrainHealth®, focuses on the translation of BrainHealth research to improve how people think, work and live.

Jennifer administers performance-based assessments and facilitates training workshops that empower individuals across the lifespan to take the lead in strengthening their focus, mental efficiency, reasoning and possibility thinking.

She has facilitated SMART™ Brain Training for specialized groups – including military leadership, active-duty special operators, veterans and their spouses, law enforcement officers, corporate executives and leadership teams, community leaders, athletes and graduate students.

Her career in clinical research and translational application has contributed to the growing knowledge of the impact of cognitive training in health. Jennifer’s early work focused on the important role that complex language processing plays in diagnosis and treatment of dementias. She also worked to define best practices for speech-language pathologists in the path of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Angi Daus is the Marketing Supervisor at Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), where she has dedicated the past five years to managing SBA’s marketing, communications, advertising, community engagement, customer experience, and air service development. She also serves on the SWAAAE Board of Directors, representing Southern California as of July 2023.

Air service development is vital to small destination cities like Santa Barbara, as it strengthens both the local economy and the community's connectivity to the wider world. For Santa Barbara, having a well-managed public air transportation system ensures residents and visitors have reliable, convenient travel options, which is crucial for tourism, business growth, and community accessibility. It’s Angi’s mission to support her community through this work and a position on the ACI-NA Air Service Committee Steering Group will be in service to that.

Angi's career spans lifestyle brands, nonprofits, and L&D organizations, including her work with the American Cancer Society. In 2018, she founded LL Brid Consulting, an organizational development firm named in honor of her dog, Lucy. Angi holds an MPA from Metropolitan State University and a BA from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, which fueled her commitment to public service. Passionate about community, she volunteers locally and enjoys hiking, cycling, and the natural beauty of Santa Barbara.

Alice Bimrose, A.A.E., CAE, ACE, is Executive Program Director at PSM Squared, Inc., a woman-owned small business providing strategic communications and guest experience services during capital development. Prior to joining PSM², Alice spent 25 years at America’s Friendliest Airport®, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Her PHX experience included capital projects and budgets, airline affairs, public relations, stakeholder outreach, event planning, employee and organizational development, process improvement, and maintenance management. She chairs the SWAAAE Leadership Development Committee and is a member of the Membership Committee. Alice received the 2023 SWAAAE President’s Award and the 2022 Arizona Airports Association President’s Award, which recognize her service to the Associations and the industry.

Employed with Sundt for over 22years, been involved with SWAAAE for over 18 years.

Ken began his aviation journey as an Army air traffic controller serving in Kentucky, South Korea, and Alabama from 1977-1981. In 1982, Ken was hired as an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration while earning BS Professional Aeronautics and Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 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 airport management accreditation in July 2016. In March 2018, Ken assumed the airport manager position at the Carson City Airport (CXP) until his retirement in March 2021. In April 2021, Ken was hired by Armstrong Consultants as a Special Projects Manager and Airport Planner. Ken serves has served SWAAAE as a Nevada Board member, Legislative Committee Chair and Corporate Director. Ken is the President of the Nevada Aviation Association. Ken has been married to Denise for 41 years…in a row! Ken is a father of two and grandpa of two.

Dassie Persaud-Van Der Westhuizen boasts diverse and international experience in aviation sustainability planning, airline operations (as a pilot and cabin crew), and aviation journalism. She holds a BSc Architecture degree and graduated Cum Laude from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a MS Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability. Dassie enjoys pushing the boundaries of aviation sustainability by working on emerging topics such as airport infrastructure resilience, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and the industry skills shortage. As a result of her forward-thinking ideas, Dassie was selected as one of eight inspiring Canadian women advancing aviation sustainability, has presented research to NASA’s environmental committee, published a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Airport Management, and served as a panelist at an annual sustainability conference. She volunteers as a senior advisor at the Advanced Air Mobility Institute.

Paul Petersen is the Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association, which represents the Aerial Wildland Fire Industry (Airtankers, Scoopers, Helicopters, Retardant and aviation support) to Local, State, Federal agencies, and Congress. He retired in April 2023 from the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office as the State Fire Management Officer and was responsible for coordination and implementation of fire preparedness, fire suppression, hazardous fuels reduction, fire prevention/mitigation/education and overall leadership for the Fire and Aviation. He has served as a Firefighter, Engine Captain, Fire Operations Specialist (Battalion Chief), Assistant Fire Management Officer, Fire Management Officer, and Deputy State Fire Management Officer. He is a 6th generation Native Nevadan and loves the beauty and openness of Nevada and Intermountain West. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, history, skiing, flying his 1961 Cessna 182, and family.

Mindy is the owner of Direct Effect Solutions, a woman-owned management consulting company based in Columbus, Ohio. She is an expert in human behavior and organizational dynamics and works with companies around the country to create high-performing systems. In her spare time, she can often be found reading, exploring or cooking. As a product of the 80’s, she has yet to solve the Rubik’s cube. She loves to have adventures that turn into good stories.

Missi Shumer has 24 years of experience authoring and managing all NEPA classes of action from Categorical Exclusions to Environmental Impact Statements throughout the U.S. She has authored state environmental policy manuals. A self-proclaimed “NEPA nerd,” she is skilled in agency coordination and consultation, with training in the overall NEPA decision-making and documentation process, as well as Environmental Justice, Section 106 Consultation, and indirect and cumulative impacts. Missi has participated in legal sufficiency reviews with U.S. DOT legal counsel from various agencies and currently serves as the project manager on HMMH’s contract for environmental reviews of unmanned aircraft systems, where she assists FAA in developing procedures and policy for evaluating impacts and preparing NEPA documents for new entrants. In addition, to her UAS work, she leads several NEPA efforts at airports across the country. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her husband and two teenage sons.

With 23 years of experience in environmental planning, Kim is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and LEED AP, with specialized knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Her work is focused on the preparation and management of transportation-related development projects of all complexities, including large-scale, high-profile EIS and EA projects for a variety of federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration. Kim also has extensive experience managing, coordinating, and preparing state and local equivalent environmental compliance documents for public and private development projects. She is well-versed in all aspects of environmental review and documentation, including agency consultation and public outreach. Kim is an active member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals, participating in regular conversations as part of the Environmental Justice, NEPA, and Transportation Working Groups. Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time in the outdoors running or hiking and watching and playing sports with her son.

Jason Watkins is Chief Financial Officer of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. In his current role, he supports the Finance, Business and Properties, Risk Management and Small Business Divisions. He also is also the County’s liaison to the Airlines-Airport Affairs Committee. He has also served as Chief Financial Officer at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport and was previously Director of Financial Operations and Treasury Management at Tampa International Airport. Jason is an Accredited Airport Executive, a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from the University of South Florida.