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AACA 2021 Annual convention 
​SESSION recordings


AACA 2021 ANNUAL CONVENTION 
​SESSION RECORDINGS
​Day 1, February 15, 2021 -  Safety 
https://zoom.us/rec/share/qovXjRDmY6M3NQ4XwmjtkYwR13FO5lslOdX3OGNdgMT-YuRlarFGPgxWUMJLrTQg.gHlscGZmeLT6ikaU

Recording time       Session Title
1:51:41                         Keynote Speaker:  Chris Kipp, Alaska Airlines Fleet Manager
​2:42:58                      Sharing Safety Data, Paul Salerno, OMNI
3:46:51                       Successful and Sustainable Implementation of SMS Principles in AK, George Snyder, GHS, Aviation Group.
4:33:52                      ASAP, Karen Gattis, Division Manager FAA Safety Assurance
5:50:05                      Making or Breaking the SMS, Jason Stark, Baldwin Aviation
6:47:36                      ASAP and SMS - WBAT Safety, Nick Manibusan and Ryan West
7: 53:00                     SMS Panel Discussion Chris Matthews - AACA Joint Safety, Julie Eichler-GrantAviation, Erik Howard-Island Air (Kodiak),                                         Joel Kain-Temsco, Rett Leaf-Wright Air Service, Joe Reid, NAC, Kevin Roof-Taquan Air, Tom Soderholm-Smokey Bay Air.

Day 2, February 16, 2021 - Management
https://zoom.us/rec/share/SwThtcDmXVA1uM1GxyH8EVq_SbU4yAtBEUpJnNv-YmWObcPHoZlCAFhMxeJkonDA.ysFeZhUk0vnKbnvL

02:00:18                     FAA Safety Initiative FAASI.  Kerry Long- FAA Alaskan Administrator; Howard Martin Regional Counsel; Kristi Warden-                                            FAA Airports; Karen Gattis Division Manager Safety Assurance; Clark Desing-ATO Western Service Center; Jacki Holzman                                      - Deputy Administrator for the Alaska Region; Justin Biassou -FAA Community Engagement.
 2:53:20                      A Message From Senator Murkowski 
                                   CARGO:
​ 3:02:28                     UAS Updates with Ed DeReyes - Sabrewing Aircraft Co      
 3:16:50                      Dash Systems - Bryan Miller
 3:37:42                      A Case Study:  The Future of Cargo Loading
​ 3:44:50                     A word from Congressman Don Young
​ 4:00:45                     Essential Air Service, Mail and Fuel – Kevin Schlemmer, Mark Raggio, Jennifer Rodes – USDOT
 5:49:40                     Updates on Rural Airport Management John Binder, Deputy Commissioner ADOT 
 6:00:00                     WAAS AND VWOS Moderated by Kyle Christiansen - FAA
                                    Advancements in WAAS/LPV Navigation & Avionics  – Alec Seybold – Flight Tech Engineering 
                                    Developing Alaska’s Weather Infrastructure – Walter Combs – VWOS Weather Station
7:02:40                       A word from Senator Dan Sullivan
7:16:11                           Rural Issues on Cargo and Passenger Air Services - Moderated by Matt Atkins
                                       PJ Simon, President Tanana Chiefs Conference
                                       Paul LaBolle, Chief of Staff to Representative Foster; 
                                       Hallie Bisset, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association;  
                                       Jeff Sutton, President London Aviation Underwriters; 
                                          Katie Mumford, Program Assistant - Voice of the Arctic Inupiat;                        
​8:04:40                     AACA Membership Meeting:  Matt Atkinson, Chair AACA
                                       Keynote Anne Zink, Alaska's Chief Medical Officer
                                       Update on Health Insurance:  Risk Strategies - Shar Banerjee, Senior Account Manager
​                                          Recognizing Members:
                                              Rob Kelly, CEO and President Grant Aviation
                                              Darren Young, Director of Operations Warbelows
​                                       Recognizing Scholarship Recipients
                                              Jim Snead Memorial Scholarship - Darrell Semaken
                                              Forrest Jones Memorial Scholarship - Gareth Hansen

Day 3, February 17, 2021 - IA Renewal
https://zoom.us/rec/share/mONebAODpCOOMFxoIdMHYi0m5jAbB2VFQbno83YVHJUWaGSVG74OXyOQz3IN8QWz.85E0Kq7D1p02n7C8

00:39:35                     Introduction and Welcome Kyle Weinzirl and Mike Yorke
00:45:05                    Jane Dale, AACA Executive Director Introduces Norman Chance
00:47:25                    Tom Welch - Covington - ​PT6A Familiarization Course 
01:43:35                     Ben McNamara - APS Brakes - The Ultimate in Braking Performance
02:42:24                    Kim Burton, Cessna Textron & Kurt Haneberg, Garmin-Trouble Shooting Scenarios G1000
03:44:03                   Tim Owen, Product Support Engineer - Continental Aerospace Technologies​ Engine Operation and Maintenance
04:31:38                     A Word From Kyle Weinzirl and Mike York - Wade Weiss UAA - Lunch Independently 
05:37:33                     Ed Lopez - Gill Batteries - Teledyne Battery Products ​Aircraft Battery Maintenance
06:35:00                    Gerry and Noah Allsup - Dominion Propeller 
07:26:34                    Dave Swartz and Marcus Runyan – FAA - Aging Fabric Covered Airplane Issues and Post Crash Survival.
                                   Rob Steel & Francis Marotte – Pratt & Whitney - PT6A Technical Update & Services

Day 4, February 18, 2021 - Recurrent HazMat Training, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Wellness Recording
https://zoom.us/rec/share/Cd4vx-Zy1bPu05S4I7sgGXLF9ZvPXibea8UHGVZ6eTnze6rMZPXRsEa-lau4LT2x.elCXUUv-yfd-_d2m

01:21:51                       Recurrent Haz-Mat Training with Jack Peters
06:11:43                      Drug & Alcohol Signs & Symptoms, Stephanie Wells
08:08:56                    Wellness Workshop - Stress Management - Dr. John Lloyd
00:32:40                    CDC’s Interim Guidance for Transporting People with COVID-19 or COVID-19 Exposure - Mary O'Connor - NIOSH


Day 5, February 19, 2021 - Initial HazMat Training (Recording Begins 00:50:00)
https://zoom.us/rec/share/wDs9WhNg3_hzz-99phxAoiIFGxIjLy7VVAryyRZG9RoGTypiucDD0vdnRNLLn1fC.3IxV-XyvaiX8KxnU



​AACA 2021 ANNUAL CONVENTION 
​SPEAKER BIOS AND PRESENTATIONS

Chris Kipp - Manager of Fleet Operations - Alaska Airlines
​Chris’ career in aviation started with being an airplane mechanic, which ultimately brought him to the state of Alaska in 1993.  Eventually, pilot training at Merrill Field was finished and Chris did some CFI work there while working on the ramp at ERA Aviation, where he eventually flew Twin Otters and Convairs based in BET and ANC. 
Chris was hired by Alaska Airlines in 2002 and has been flying the 737 ever since.  With jobs in the training department, the safety department, and now as the 119 Director of Operations Chris has experienced a lot of the Alaska Airlines operation and enjoys looking back at his roots in aviation.

Paul Salerno - President - OMNI Air Group
Paul is an A&P mechanic and pilot who operated DC-3s in Alaska from 1980 to 1987. He holds a BS degree in Aerospace Science, and is a graduate of FAA’s System Safety and ATOS training courses. Paul has 18 years of experience as D.O. / Chief Pilot and Chief Inspector under FARs 135 / 121. He has been developing safety and quality management systems for commercial operators for the past 12 years, and is an authority on 14 CFR Part 5 and FAA's SMS Voluntary Program Standard.
Click here to view Paul's presentation.
Click here to view "How to Choose an SMS Service Provider"

George Snyder - President and CEO - GHS
Beginning his career with Allegheny Commuter Airlines as a regional airline pilot in the Northeast US, and then later as a USAirways mainline  
pilot, George subsequently ascended to senior management positions.  He served US Airways from 1994 to 1997 as Director of Flight Safety and Quality Assurance before being promoted to the position of Vice President Corporate Safety & Regulatory Compliance in 1997. 
Following these successes, George was recruited by Korean Air in January 2000 to head its Corporate Safety,  Aviation Security, and Regulatory Compliance Department in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
​Engaged in the development of the IOSA Program from its inception in 2001, he has been appointed to serve  on several IATA oversight committees including the IOSA Action Group (IAG), IOSA Oversight Committee  (IOC), Security Committee (SEC), and Operations Committee (OPC). 
George has been a featured speaker at the Willis Airline Safety Conference, the Airline Symposium hosted  by famed aviation attorney, Mr. Mark Dombroff, as well as numerous aviation safety conferences and  seminars globally. In addition to being interviewed multiple times by the Wall Street Journal in regards to  his opinions as an expert in the aviation safety industry, he has written articles for a number of aviation  publications including the Flight Safety Foundation magazine, AeroSafety World. 
George has also had his writings included and referenced in books such as esteemed aviation author Christine  Negroni’s book The Crash Detectives published by Penguin Random House LLC in 2016. The years during  which he held the position of Senior Vice President of Safety, Aviation Security & Regulatory Compliance  for Korean Air (2000-2006) have been referenced in regards to the dramatic improvement in Korean Air’s  safety record that occurred during those years in the book Gold Medal Strategies, BUSINESS LESSONS  FROM AMERICA’S MIRACLE TEAM written by Jim Craig and Don Yaeger and published by John Wiley  & Sons, Inc. in 2011. 
Graduating from the Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a Bachelor of Science Degree,  George supplemented his education and technical training by earning an MBA from Embry Riddle  Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2002 as well as a Transportation Safety Management  Certificate from the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering in Los Angeles. 
He currently holds an FAA Single and Multi-Engine Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) with type ratings  on the BAC1-11, DC-9, B-757, and B767 aircraft with over twelve thousand hours of incident, accident, and  violation free general aviation and airline experience. 
George has been working with and on behalf of airline clients in Alaska since 2016 and has been featured as  a safety expert panelist during the NTSB Part 135 Safety Summit as well as a presenter at the 2020 AACA  Airline Conference both of which were held in Anchorage in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Click here to view George's presentation.

Karen Gattis - Division Manager - Flight Standards Office - FAA
Karen Gattis is a Division Manager in the Flight Standards Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance with over 20 years’ service in various capacities. The Polaris CMO, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau FSDOs fall under her jurisdiction. She has deeply embraced the State of Alaska’s aviation community and safety initiatives.  
Karen holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating in fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter commercial pilot certificate. She retired in 2015 from the U.S. Army National Guard with the rank of Colonel after serving over 34 years. 

Jason Starke - Director of Standards - Baldwin Aviation
As the Director of Standards for Baldwin Aviation, Jason is responsible for assuring compliance with standards, best practices, and State regulations. He is also responsible for helping develop and administer safety management and leadership training. Prior to this, he served as Operations Manager for the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). He joined IBAC from Universal Weather and Aviation where he led efforts to develop an SMS solution.
Prior to Universal, Jason was both a pilot for and Director of Safety at Priester Aviation in Chicago where he developed the company’s SMS and implemented its FOQA program. He had been a charter and EMS pilot for R&M Aviation before joining Priester.  Jason also served as a simulator instructor for Flight Safety International in the CL-601 and HS-800XP training programs. Jason has an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and is rated in the CE-500, CL-600, and HS-125. 
Jason is also currently an instructor at the University of Southern California – Viterbi and Broward College teaching introductory and advanced safety management courses. He is also currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Behavior at Northcentral University. 
Click here to view Jason's presentation.

Nick Manibusan - ASAP Manager - WBAT
Nick has been in the aviation industry since 2013 and has a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety. Nick spent 6 years working in both operations and safety department at a 121 air carrier, serving as the Aviation Safety Administrator, Manager of Safety and Manager of Internal Evaluation Program (IEP). He also assisted in the implementation of ASAP at a 121 air carrier (Demonstration thru Continuing Program) and represented employee groups including Flight Crew, Flight Following/Dispatch, Cabin, Maintenance, and Ground Services. Nick served as ASAP Manager for all employee groups, assisted in the implementation of SMS, and developed training for all levels of management and employees.
Nick has received training in AS9100 Internal Audit, MITRE SMS training and FAA ASAP training. He received Certified Safety Professional (CSP®) credential from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. 
Click here to view Nick and Ryan's presentation.

Ryan West - ASAP Manager - WBAT
Ryan has been in the aviation industry since 2009 and has a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management. Ryan spent 7 years as a safety analyst/manager for the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and SMS at a 121 carrier. Ryan has received training in Human Factors Analysis & Classification System (HFACS), Six Sigma, MITRE SMS training, FAA ASAP training and multiple root cause analysis and data analytics techniques.
Currently, Ryan works for Universal Technical Resource Services (UTRS) on the WBAT platform. Ryan manages and facilitates all aspects of the ASAP for Part 145, 141, 121, 135, and 91 carriers around the country. As part of his role, Ryan facilitates the MOU execution, ERC & FSDO training, database set up, ASAP report processing, ERC meeting facilitation, recommendation tracking, program promotion and data Analysis.
Click here to view Nick and Ryan's presentation.

Chris Matthews - AACA Joint Safety Chair

Julie Eichler - Director of Safety - Grant Aviation

Erik Howard - Director of Operations - Island Air
Erik learned to fly at Central Washington University starting in 2004.  After graduating, Erik worked at CWU as a flight instructor until 2009 when he moved to Kodiak and began flying for Island Air Service.  In 2016 Erik partnered with Adam Lutz and purchased Island Air from the original owner.  He is now an owner, Director of Ops, pilot, and Janitor at Island Air.

Joel Kain - Aviation Division Safety Director - Temsco Helicopters, Coastal Helicopters, NorthStar Helicopters
Since 2012, Joel has worked for TEMSCO Helicopters across all of Alaska and much of the western U.S. As the director of Safety, Joel manages the Hazard Identification and Risk Management programs for a fleet of 40 aircraft, 60 pilots, 30 mechanics, and approximately 120 seasonal staff. He is directly responsible to the Company President / CEO for all programs, policies, and initiatives pertaining to the TEMSCO Safety Management System. Prior to working for TEMSCO Helicopters, Joel served in the U.S. Army for more than 25 years. During that time, he worked as a Platoon Leader, Squadron Operations Officer, Company Commander, Staff Trainer, Battalion and Brigade Operations Officer as well as Deputy Brigade Commander and as a Battalion Commander. His aviation experience in those varied roles included: fuel/petroleum management, armament services, maintenance, flight operations, combat developments, attack helicopter / air cavalry operations, general support aviation, and air traffic control. Since moving to TEMSCO Joel has been active in the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS). TOPS is a voluntary organization whose mission is: to work as a collaborative team to develop air tour safety standards and recommended practices that are progressive, best-in-class and exceed regulatory standards. TEMSCO is an original founding member of TOPS program more than 20 year ago. Joel chaired the TOPS Safety Committee for three years and now sits on the TOPS Audit Committee as the Chair. (www.topssafety.org) Joel received his BS degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He later earned an MBA from Webster University in St. Louis while working full-time as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S.  Army. He is rated in the UH-1, AH-1 Cobra, OH-58 and the UH-60 Blackhawk.

Rett Leaf - Director Safety - Wright Air Service
Career over 40 years in professional fixed wing aviation.
Began flying in Alaska in the mid 1980’s in Bristol Bay for a 135 operator in float and wheel single engine aircraft. Alaska IFR experience began at this operation in multiengine aircraft.
Subsequent flight experience includes 135 and 121 line-captain / check airman in the lower 48 and Alaska.  The majority of personal total flight time was accumulated in the state of Alaska where the most recent flight experience was in the interior for a part 121 airline in multiengine turbine aircraft. 
Management experience includes part 135/121 Chief Pilot and part 121 Director of Operations in Alaska. 
Currently the Director Safety at Wright Air Service and implementing a fully functional SMS (Safety Management System).  Wright Air Service’s SMS is formally recognized by the FAA SMS Voluntary Program. 

Joe Reid - Director of Safety - Northern Air Cargo
​
Kevin Roof - Director of Operations and Safety - Taquan Air
Responsible for the oversight of all Flight and Ground Operations at a Part 135: Air Taxi and Commuter Scheduled Operator, Taquan Air – Ketchikan Alaska.Kevin began flying in 1978 and has accumulated over 20,000 hours of accident and incident-free flight time. Kevin is a check airman and company instructor in the DHC-2 and DHC-3T aircraft and a certified flight instructor holding a MEII certificate. 

Tom Soderholm
I have been flying my whole life—starting at seven years old with my dad in his  Taylorcraft (after I promised him I would not tell my mother..)  I soloed at 16 and license  at 17, like many others with the passion. All the other ratings came early and I had my  ATP by 25. 
I ended up with a lengthy and successful career as a corporate / business pilot and  finished that stage in my life with 19,000 hours—mostly in Falcon 900’s and the  Bombardier Global Express and was lucky enough to visit and explore 106 countries.  However, I wanted to end my overall career returning back to the smaller aircraft I  learned on and in a position where I was not always on the other side of the planet. That  is exactly what I’ve done and I am now the Director of Operations for Smokey Bay Air, in  Homer Alaska. I’ve been very fortunate to have had enlightened ownership, who has  encouraged me to put my imprint on the organization. We now have what I feel is the  most professional fixed wing operation at the Homer Airport. 
As for sideline involvement, I have always been involved in aviation safety matters and  even built from the ground up a safety department for a major corporate flight  operation back in the 1990’s. Also during that time, I was an airport commissioner for  the Leesburg (VA) Executive Airport. 
Here in Homer, I was a member of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce  for three years and now I have just started the second year of a two year elected term  as Board President. I am also on the Board of Directors for the Alaska Chamber of  Commerce. 
I would be honored to serve on AACA’s board, if appointed. I feel anything that can be  done to enhance aviation safety in general, and progress towards that goal in Alaska  would be fulfilling and meaningful.

Kerry Long - Regional Administrator, Alaska Region - FAA
Kerry B. Long serves as the Regional Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Alaskan Region.  Prior to joining the ARA senior management team, he served as the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Designated Agency Ethics Official, responsible for establishing, maintaining, and carrying out the NTSB ethics program. Mr. Long is no stranger to the FAA, having previously served, by Presidential appointment, as Chief Counsel from 2007 to 2009.  As Chief Counsel, he led 270 lawyers and staff and was responsible for all aspects of the agency’s legal workings, including its regulatory program, administrative and judicial litigation, nationwide enforcement activities, legislation, alternative dispute resolution, ethics compliance, and legal relations with foreign civil aviation authorities.  
Mr. Long served as a partner in the Washington law office of Fulbright and Jaworski L.L.P. beginning in 2001, focusing his practice on aircraft finance.  He also served as an associate and partner at Perkins Coie L.L.P. in Washington from 1985 to 2000, also focusing on aircraft finance.  He began his legal career as a corporate associate at White and Case L.L.P. in New York from 1980 to 1985.  
Mr. Long received his law degree magna cum laude from Cornell Law School in 1980, and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Colgate University in 1972.
Prior to his legal career, Mr. Long served in the U.S. Navy aboard the frigate USS Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092) as a division officer and navigator.  He rose to the rank of Lieutenant and qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer.  Mr. Long was recognized for his role in the rescue efforts following the collision of USS Belknap (CG-26) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in the Mediterranean Sea in 1975.

Jacki Holzman - Deputy Regional Administrator, Alaska Region - FAA
Ms. Holzman leads a team of dedicated staff and represents the FAA and the Regional Administrator addressing aviation safety and efficiency. Ms. Holzman started with FAA in 1992 in the Environmental Compliance Section of Airway Facilities as an environmental engineer. In 1999, she moved to the Telecommunications System Management Section.  As a general engineer, Jacki installed satellite communications facilities at 12 remote Alaska airports.  
Ms. Holzman has worked for the Alaskan Region Regional Administrator since 2002 in several positions: Congressional liaison, regional planning officer, Process Improvement Integrator, Special Programs Integrator, and Senior Advisor.  Jacki has worked extensively across FAA organizations and with external stakeholders focusing on aviation safety partnerships. She regularly briefs distinguished visitors from within and outside FAA on the challenges of managing an aviation system in Alaska.  
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science. 
Hobbies: Japanese taiko drumming, Zimbabwean marimba, yoga, swimming, photography, gardening, and exploring Alaska’s beauty 

Kristi Warden - Director of the Alaskan Region Airports Division - FAA
Kristi Warden is the Director of the FAA Alaskan Region Airports Division Region Office based in Anchorage, Alaska. She directs and supervises the planning, formulation, implementation, and evaluation of all FAA Office of Airports Alaskan Region programs/projects, specifically the
Airport Improvement Program (AIP); Passenger Facility Charge Program (PFC); Airports Capital Improvement Program; Airports Environmental Management Program; Airports Planning Program; Engineering Design, and Construction; Airports Compliance Program, and Airports
Safety Program. Kristi manages a talented staff of 18 professional, technical, and administrative employees.
Previously, Kristi was the Deputy Division Director and Acting Division Director of the same office, positions she has held since July 2015. From 2012 to 2015, Kristi served in the FAA Southwest Region’s Regional Administrator’s Office as the Houston Program Manager. She facilitated horizontal integration among FAA Line(s) of Business and Staff Offices as well as external outreach with numerous stakeholders for the planned 60-project, 20-year Houston Area Aviation Planning Project. This initiative consisted of multiple airport airside, landside, and facilities developments and improvements as well as airspace capacity enhancement / redesign. Also during her time in the Regional Administrator’s Office, Kristi completed a detail as the Manager of Executive Operations.
Kristi’s first position at FAA (in 2007) was as the Southwest Region AIP/PFC Program Manager, where she represented Regional interests and collaborated with Airport Development Offices to manage the Region’s average annual $450M AIP, encompassing more than 490 public-use
airports and 43 PFC-collecting Public Agencies. Prior to joining FAA, Kristi held aviation industry leadership positions as an Airline Planning
Consultant with a national aviation consulting firm; the President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of a commuter airline, and Airport Manager and Assistant Airport Manager of two primary non-hub airports in the upper Midwest and northern Rocky Mountain regions.
Her aviation professional career spans two and a half decades. She is a Private Pilot and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Studies with a Management Concentration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Howard Martin - Regional Counsel for the Alaskan Region - FAA
Howard L. Martin currently serves as the Regional Counsel for the Alaskan Region, Federal Aviation Administration, and has held this position since February 2005.  He was a staff attorney for the FAA in the Alaskan Region from May 1990 until his appointment as Regional Counsel. Mr. Martin supervises all legal services for the region, including personnel law, procurement, ethics, regulatory enforcement and environmental defense. In addition to his FAA litigation experience, he has been a state and military prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, practiced criminal defense in both Alaska and Louisiana, and represented clients in civil litigation including personal injury and commercial law. He has served as an expert witness in both state and federal courts in regards to law enforcement procedure and misconduct. He also served as a Deputy Sheriff in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, and as an USAF officer both on active duty and the reserves. Mr. Martin received a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University in 1980 and a Juris Doctorate from the LSU Law Center in 1983. He is admitted to the Louisiana and Alaska State Bars, the United States District Court, District of Alaska, and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. 
Mr. Martin has been a licensed pilot since 1981 and has operated fixed wing aircraft on floats, wheels and skis throughout Alaska. His proudest part of aviation is his daughter however, 1st Lt. Wendy Martin who is an Army Blackhawk pilot assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson, CO.

Clark Desing - Director of the Air Traffic Organization Western Service Center - FAA
Clark Desing is the Director of the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Western Service Center (WSC) for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  An office responsible for air traffic support services to the Western Service Area, a range encompassing eleven states in the contiguous U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, and the South Pacific. In this role, he operates as the ATO’s principal point of contact between FAA Headquarters and regional staff.  He leads the Service Center in supporting regional air traffic facilities, the Department of Defense, local and national law enforcement, and FAA Regional Administrators with a wide range of air traffic services.  
Mr. Desing has extensive experience in both aviation management and operational air traffic control. During his 39 years at the FAA, he served as the group manager for both the WSC Operational Support Group (OSG) and Quality Control Group (QCG).  Prior to that, Clark was the branch manager for ATO Quality Assurance, and worked in both the Terminal and En Route operational environments in the Salt Lake City area.  He was the Mountain West Terminal Hub Manager and Salt Lake City Tower/TRACON Air Traffic Manager.  At the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center, he served as the operations manager, support manager, area manager, operations supervisor, staff specialist, and air traffic controller. Clark also served in detail assignments at the FAA Technical Center and FAA Headquarters. 
Clark started his career as an air traffic controller in 1982.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Karen Gattis - Division Manager - Flight Standards Office - FAA
Karen Gattis is a Division Manager in the Flight Standards Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance with over 20 years’ service in various capacities. The Polaris CMO, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau FSDOs fall under her jurisdiction. She has deeply embraced the State of Alaska’s aviation community and safety initiatives.  
Karen holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating in fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter commercial pilot certificate. She retired in 2015 from the U.S. Army National Guard with the rank of Colonel after serving over 34 years.

Justin Biassou - Community Engagement Officer – Northwest Mountain & Alaskan Regions- FAA
Justin received his private pilot’s license at the age of 17 and currently holds a multi-engine instrument rating with over 600 flight hours. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Sciences and Management. He began his career in aviation as Chairman of the Stillwater Oklahoma Regional Airport Authority, where he led the initiative to recruit American Airlines to provide daily service from Stillwater to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. In Washington D.C., he worked for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) Air Safety Institute as their Manager under President Bruce Landsberg. During which time, he traveled across the U.S. advocating on behalf of the Association and its safety policy initiatives.   He then joined the D.C. think-tank the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. serving as their Associate Director. For three years,  he managed community outreach and external engagement activities in Seattle, Washington D.C., New York City, and San Francisco. In 2019, Biassou was selected for a newly created role at the FAA as a Community Engagement Officer. In this position, he serves as the liaison to the Alaskan and Northwest Mountain Regional Administrators and is responsible for interacting and engaging with airlines, airports, community and environmental groups, public agencies, and congressional officials to hear concerns and address high profile issues such as air safety. Biassou ensures the FAA’s message is delivered to external stakeholders, presenting agency positions associated with airspace projects, including performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures. Justin serves on the board of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) as their Southwest Regional Director which allows him to interact with the next generation of aviators through numerous outreach events and activities, including ACE Academies.

Ed DeReyes - Chairman and CEO - Sabrewing Aircraft Company
Ed is a retired Air Force veteran, serial entrepreneur and inventor, with several patents and patents-pending to his name. Several of the key technologies that Ed has developed are directly related to the field of aviation – including a patent for a unique nitrogen-power turbine engine that does not combust any fuel at all.
In February 2018, Ed retired as an experimental test pilot and flight test engineer, having worked for several companies, including McDonnell Douglas, Aerotest, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Cobalt, Elytron, and Moller International to name a few.
Ed has also served as the chief technology officer for a carbon capture and storage start-up based on technology that he invented. Ed has a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Aeronautical Engineering, and has design, test and integration experience in aircraft propulsion, avionics, flight dynamics and VTOL flight test. Ed’s experience includes FAA aircraft certification, and UAV test experience as far back as 1979 on the BGM-109 Cruise Missile.
Ed serves as a Voting Member of the American Standards of Testing and Materials (ASTM) in Aircraft Certification Standards, and has been a member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers for over 30 years.
Ed is a commercial, multi-engine and instrument rated pilot.

Bryan Miller - Chief Operating Officer - DASH Systems
Bryan E. Miller, PE, MBA is a highly accomplished aerospace executive, United States Marine Corps Aviator, Professional Engineer, and co-founder with proven leadership and management experience in some of the most complex global environments. He received his BS in Marine Engineering from the California Maritime Academy and worked as a Systems Engineer for Totem Ocean trailer Express (TOTE) on the MV Midnight Sun, then Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) leading the “Alvin” HOV Launch & Recovery team before joining the Marine Corps and ultimately becoming an MV-22B Tiltrotor Pilot & Leader. During his DoD career tenure, Bryan has served in several key roles such as: 
• Air Force Exchange Pilot, Pilot Standardization Program Manager, 
• Director of Safety, 
• MV-22 Instructor Pilot & Functional Check Pilot, 
• Chief Operating Officer for a Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey squadron encompassing 225+ service members and $1.45Bn in PP&E, 
• Officer in Charge of a Joint DoD learning institution, during his final tour, where he was responsible for all survival and counter-interrogation training in collaboration with the US State Department (SERE). 
In 2015 Bryan co-founded and served as Managing Director for a boutique Management Consulting firm serving the general, business, and defense aviation spheres focusing on optimization of FBO operations, defense contract capture, and integration of new/novel technologies. Between 2017 and 2019 Bryan served as the co-founder/COO for a highly innovative LA-based sports nutrition brand where he focused on building and qualifying their global supply chain, technology stack, and operational roadmap while simultaneously completing his Executive MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management in 2019. Bryan holds commercial and CFI ratings in Single/Multi-Engine Land, Powered Lift, Rotorcraft-Helicopter, Part 107 Drone, and currently is serving as the Chief Operating Officer, CFO, and Chief Pilot for DASH Systems in Los Angeles, leading a highly innovative aviation-enabled logistics team to develop technology and deliver packages anywhere in the world from air to ground in one day.
Click here to view Bryan's Presentation.

Alan Larson - TransNorthern Aviation
I came to Alaska in Jan 1971.  Worked for a couple years and then bought a Cessna 140 site unseen in Elkhart ID in 1974.  My first ride in an airplane was in that plane when I went to go pay for it and the owner took me up and we buzzed his farmer friends on their tractors for about an hour.  Got a Airline pilot to teach me to fly it on the way back to AK.  I also was hired by the old Anchorage Borough in 1974 and went to the first Paramedicine Associates Degree class at the UAA to become a Paramedic.  I started my 20 year career with the Anchorage Fire Department that year spending most of my term as a Paramedic Supervisor.   In ’78 went to Wilbur’s to get my instructor rating and ended up being hired as a line pilot as they expanded their Part 135 operation to Commuter Status.  We flew daily scheduled service to Cordova, Valdez, McGrath and Aniak/Holycross with Cessna 402 and Piper Seneca aircraft then later with B99s.  I became DO for Wilbur’s in the early 80’s and continued working for the Fire Department while working for Wilbur’s.  Wilbur’s sold out to Jerry Ball in the early 90’s and I help Jerry keep his Alaska Island Air 135/401 Certificate Active until he eventually sold out to Mike Spiask and the Certificate was moved to Kotzebue.  While still working as a Paramedic Supervisor I helped build the Island Air Certificate eventually to a fleet of Cessna 207, Cessna 402s, Cessna Caravans and DC-3.  In 1995 I retired from the Fire Department and started TransNorthern Aviation with my father’s Maule M-4.  In the summer of ’95 my wife Andrea (Pennair Metro Pilot, Doug Getting 207 pilot) and I leased a Cessna Caravan and began doing Flight tours over Mount McKinley based in Talkeetna.  “Turbo Prop to the Top” was our motto.  When that first season was coming to an end we were approached by a Texas Geophysical Company called LCT.  That asked if we were interested in converting our Caravan into an Airborne Gravity acquisition aircraft and work for them.  We did and for the next few years worked in Columbia, Peru, Argentina and finally in Cambodia gathering data to prepare maps primarily for large Oil Companies.  In 99 we came back to Alaska and picked up a Medivac contract with Maniliq Hospital in Kotzebue  with a pair of King Air 90s.  Next we started a full year of 11 round trip flights per day between Anchorage and Kenai, first with a Piper Navajo and then a Caravan.   We expanded by purchasing several B99s and started working for fishing lodges in the summer.  We purchased a Super DC-3 and designed an STC to operate it in a 19 passenger, max payload 7,500 lb configuration.  We’ve had a total of 4 Super DC-3s and are officially the largest operator of Super DC-3 aircraft in the world today!  This past October Andrea and I sold TransNorthern to Dena’ina Air Taxi but we both are continuing to ‘stay on’ to help with the expansion of these companies.   I’ve been in a management position with one Part135 operator  here in Anchorage for over 40 years.  A lot has changed and a lot has remained the same!
Click here to view Alan's presentation.
​
Kevin Schlemmer - Associate Director for the EAS & Domestic Policy Analysis Division - USDOT
Kevin Schlemmer, Associate Director for the Essential Air Service (EAS) & Domestic Policy Analysis Division in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Analysis, has worked in the office for 15 years, including 7 ½ years managing the EAS program, Alaska mail rates, and slot and slot exemption issues at Washington Reagan National Airport and all three major New York City-area airports.  Prior to joining USDOT, Kevin had a 12-year career with US Airways Group.  At US Airways, most of his work focused on smaller communities served by the US Airways Express network, through customer service, marketing, and schedule planning.   
Click here to view Kevin and Mark's presentation.

Mark Raggio - Transportation Industry Analyst for the EAS & Domestic Policy Analysis Division - USDOT
Mark Raggio is a Transportation Industry Analyst for the Essential Air Service (EAS) & Domestic Policy Analysis Division in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Analysis, and has worked in the office for 5 years.  His primary responsibilities include the calculation of the Alaska Service Mail Rates, managing a portfolio of EAS communities, and assists with the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP).  Prior to joining USDOT, Mark worked for ATA Airlines as a Network Planner, Global Aviation Holdings in Strategic Sourcing and Financial Planning & Analysis, and OAG/UBM Aviation as an international air service development consultant to various stakeholders in the aviation community.
Click here to view Kevin and Mark's presentation.

Jennifer Rodes - Transportation Specialist for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics in the Office of Airline Information - USDOT
Jennifer Rodes is a Transportation Specialist for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics in the Office of Airline information within the U.S. Department of Transportation, and has worked in that office over 28 years.  Her primary responsibilities are to process the monthly T100/T100f Air Carrier Traffic statistics monthly for both U.S. and Foreign Air carriers.   Prior to joining USDOT, Jennifer worked at various airlines in ground support positions to include tower control, dispatch, load planning, and crew scheduling and planning.  In her spare time, Jennifer is President for her local Union and enjoys breeding and showing Tibetan Mastiff dogs, riding her horses, and everyday life on her farm.
Click here to view Jennifer's presentation.

John Binder - Deputy Commissioner - ADOT
In his role as deputy commissioner, Binder oversees the State of Alaska’s International Airport System and manages the state’s rural and international airports.
After retiring from the United States Air Force in September 2012, he joined Lockheed Martin’s National Airspace Implementation Support Contract (NISC) team in assisting the Federal Aviation Administration upgrade Alaska’s airspace and air traffic infrastructure. He joined ADOT&PF in June 2013 when he became the operations manager for the Division of Statewide Aviation, directing aviation operations and planning for the state’s 240 rural airports.
Mr. Binder graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1995 and a Master of Science degree in Space Systems from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2006.
Click here to view John's presentation.

Kyle Christiansen - Flight Procedures Team - FAA
Kyle was born in Traverse City, Michigan in 1962 and spent his school years in the upper Midwest. 
Upon graduation, Kyle enlisted in the US Air Force and became an Air Traffic Controller.  He served as an Air Traffic Controller for the next 13 years at various locations such as Grand Forks AFB North Dakota, Kunsan AB Korea, Seymour-Johnson AFB North Carolina, Sondrestrom AB Greenland, Clark Air Base Philippines, and Tinker AFB Oklahoma.
Upon separation from active duty, he transitioned to procedures automation for the Federal Aviation Administration in 1995 in Oklahoma City.  He received his BS degree in Business in 1997 from Oklahoma City University.  He began instrument procedure development for the FAA in 1998 and was on the team that developed the first 500 GPS approaches in the US.
Kyle moved to Alaska in 2002 and resides in the MatSu Valley.  He and his family enjoy hiking, four wheeling in the mountains and exploring the great State of Alaska.
He is the Flight Procedures Team Point of Contact for the IFR airports and airways in the State of Alaska.  

Alec Seybold - Founder and President - Flight Tech Engineering
Alec Seybold is the Founder and President of Flight Tech Engineering, an FAA Authorized Navigation Service Provider. He has an extensive background in Part 121 airline operations and instrument procedure design. Flight Tech provides tailored navigation solutions for private and commercial aircraft operators throughout the United States- with the Mountain West and Alaska being its primary focus area. Flight Tech’s experience in Alaska ranges from assisting Boeing 737 operators in the Arctic to regional operators in Southeast Alaska.

Walter Combs - Program Manager - Weather Camera Program Office - FAA
Walter Combs is the Program Manager of the Federal Aviation Administration, Weather Camera Program Office. Walter joined the Weather Camera Program in 2007 as the lead system design engineer and Implementation Manager. In 2011, he was selected to take the role of Program Manager, where he has led his team in strategic planning, installation, maintenance and sustainment of 230 weather camera facilities in Alaska and the very popular weather camera website, https://weathercams.faa.gov.
Click here to view Walter's presentation.

Paul LaBolle - Chief of Staff to Representative Foster
Paul Labolle was raised in Nome, Alaska. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Fairbanks before going to work for the Department of Transportation in construction. Since 2003 Paul has worked for Representative Richard Foster and currently for Representative Neal Foster.

Hallie Bissett - Executive Director - Alaska Native Village Corporation Association
Hallie Bissett has been the ANVCA Executive Director for 4 years. She brings over 20 years of business experience to ANVCA. 
Bissett holds a Bachelor's degree in Global Logistics Management and an MBA from the University of Alaska. She has held many executive roles throughout her career, including: Vice President of Business Development and Old Harbor Native Corporation, Team Leader of Procurement and Supply Chain Management and Supplier Diversity at BP Exploration, and Logistics and International Trade Director at the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. In addition, Bissett was the youngest person yet to be elected to the Cook Inlet Region Inc. (CIRI) one of Alaska's 12 Regional Corporations created under ANCSA, a position she has held for over 10 years. 
Bissett has been honored as one of Alaska's Top 40 Under Forty, University of Alaska College of Business Alumni of the Year, and NCAIED National Top forty under 40. 

Jeff Sutton - President - London Aviation Underwriters
Jeff graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Aeronautical Science in 1988. He also received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law and holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Single and Multi-engine Land and Instrument ratings. Upon graduation from ERAU, Jeff started out with Avemco on the direct writer side. He also held positions at Fidelity & Deposit Company and Falcon Insurance Agency, Inc. Jeff joined LAU in 2005 as an underwriter and was promoted to Vice President and Claims Manager in 2006. In 2008 he became President of LAU. Jeff’s favorite part about his job is working as a team to come up with the vision and goals for LAU’s future and working with the LAU team to implement and achieve them. He enjoys spending his spare time with his friends and family, reading, exercising, and playing sports.

Katie Mumford - Program Assistant - Voice of the Arctic Inupiat
Katie Mumford is a Program Assistant for Voice of the Arctic Inupiat. She was born in Utqiagvik and now calls Anchorage home. Upon moving to Anchorage Katie worked for ASRC Energy Services on Regulatory and Stakeholder engagement projects in the Arctic. After leaving ASRC Katie joined UIC/UMIAQ working in Communications and Marketing with various clients implementing oil and gas programs on the North Slope. Around this time Katie completed her undergraduate education, graduating from UAA with a degree in Political Science. While completing her degree, Katie interned with the ASRC External Affairs department and after graduation, began working at the FAA FSDO Anchorage office in the general aviation division helping inspectors working to enforce aviation regulatory guidelines in Alaska. After two years at the FAA, Katie joined Voice where she works on policy advocacy and research, external communications and community engagement.

PJ Simon - President - Tanana Cheifs Conference
PJ Simon lives in Fairbanks, Alaska and is a tribal member from Allakaket and Galena. He is a Class A assistant hunting guide, and is currently working towards his registered big game guide license as well as a plumber apprentice, and is working towards his journeyman plumbing license. He currently serves on the EXCEL Alaska board and has served on many boards as a board member including, Alaska Trappers Association, Bureau of Land Management Alaska Resource Advisory Council, as secretary/treasurer on Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) executive board, Chena Bingo Board, TCC advocacy committee, and in the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Water and Sewer focus group. Not only has he worked as a political advocate and First Chief for the Allakaket Tribe, he has worked as an alternate Doyon representative on the Alaska Federation of Natives board of directors. He currently has his own big game transport business, and has worked as an assistant big game guide for the Alaska Challenge Guide Service and Mountain Monarchs of Alaska, LLC.

Anne Zink - Chief Medical Officer - State of Alaska
Anne Zink, is an emergency room doctor who started as Alaska's chief medical officer last year, less than six months before the pandemic began. Since then, she has been widely praised for her ability to connect with Alaskans by projecting calm and empathy.
Click here to view Anne's presentation.

Shar Banerjee - Senior Account Manager - Risk Strategies Company
Shar came to Risk Strategies in 2018. She has over 12 years of experience in Employee benefits and account management. She graduated with her undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ in 2001. She received her Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology in 2013 via Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida.
Shar’s areas of specialty include but not limited to:
- Strategically service and maintain book of business and provide regular delivery of reporting and analytics
- Market review, analysis and comparison of carrier alternatives and offer alternatives and recommendations
- Manage a variety of strategic projects and client rollout/impact, working with interdepartmental teams to achieve timelines and deliverables
- As Director of Benefits for a Professional employment organization (PEO), Shar’s main responsibilities were to concentrate on Multiple Employer Welfare Association plans (MEWA) as well as the oversight for benefits and payroll administration for over 400 clients, including but not limited to payroll audits, data integrity and implementation
- Customized Employee Benefit Packages based upon the needs and goals of the clientele within small and large group market segments
- Employer and Employee transitions and administration
- Claims resolution, eligibility support and COBRA and ACA compliance
Shar has both her Property and Casualty License as well as Life and Health. She is a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity, the Asian American Bar Association (non JD division) as well as regularly volunteers for Project C.U.R.E.
When Shar is not working, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, painting and spending time with friends and family.
Click here to view Shar's presentation.

Mike Craford - Managing Director - Risk Strategies Company
Mike Craford established the San Rafael office in 1989. Over the past 30 years, he has shaped Craford’s corporate strategy and internal culture to ensure consistent delivery of quality consulting and administrative services and sustained growth in client relationships. Earlier in his career he honed his skills in underwriting, rate making, contract negotiation and claims management at a major health insurance carrier. He has been an industry leader in identifying and being an early adopter of new technologies to drive administrative and communication efficiencies in benefit delivery. He is able to leverage his and the firm’s respect within the industry to position Craford to deliver superior financial and service results from the multitude of vendors who interface with our mutual clients.
In addition to managing the firm Mike consults to a broad range of clients from large Fortune 500 companies to smaller mid-size firms. He has extensive experience in M&A work both through Private Equity firms and corporate clients. He lead first to market initiatives in web based enrollment and administration in the late 1990’s and establishment of one of the first Private Equity Portfolio Purchasing Programs in 2004-05. He is frequently quoted in various trade publications on industry matters and emerging trends.
Representative client engagements include Safeway, Dreyer’s Ice Cream, Fluor, Sutter Health, Lockheed Martin, American Tire Distributors, Fireman’s Fund, CH2MHill, Friendly’s Ice Cream and numerous Private Equity firms. Mike attended Lewis and Clark College with a major in Communications and Journalism. He is involved in a number of professional organizations including Society of Employee Benefit Specialists, CIAB, Western Pension and Benefit Conference, and World at Work.
Mike recently sold Craford Benefit Solutions to Risk Strategies in 2018 and now shares the wealth of resources and capabilities offered by a larger corporation.
Mike and his wife Ardeth are the proud parents of 4 children and have resided in San Rafael for the past 30 years and recently relocated to Portland, Oregon in 2018. In his free time he enjoys golf, water sports, snow skiing, and hiking.

Rob Kelley - President and CEO - Grant Aviation
Rob is the CEO, President and CFO of Grant Aviation. Originally from Georgia, Rob has a background in construction, computer science and business management.
Rob served as the CFO for major construction companies in the Atlanta area during the first 25 years of his career.  For the last 15 years, Rob has served as a forsenic accounting consultant to the insurance companies that issue bonds for construction projects.  Rob would evaluate financially distressed construction companies and advise their bonding companies in fulfilling the bonded obligations.  Rob would also frequently serve as an expert witness in litigation issues related to construction financial issues.
In 2015, Rob evaluated the financial condition of Grant and served as an advisor to the Board prior to being named the CFO of Grant in August 2016.  The financial health of Grant has continiously improved under Rob's leadership and in December 2017, Rob was promoted to the position of CEO and President.

Darren Young - Director of Operations - Warbelow's Air
Darren Young is currently the Director of Operations for Warbelow’s Air in Fairbanks Alaska.  He has served in his current position for ten years.  He has been in Alaska for 16 years serving as a Part 135 pilot, Chief Pilot and now his current position as DO.  Prior to coming to Alaska Darren served 20 years in the USAF.  During his tenure in the service he flew both DC-9 and C-141 aircraft.  He was stationed in the Philippines, Japan, Germany and several locations throughout the U.S.  He served as the Deputy Chief of Safety while in Japan and Director of Standardization and Evaluation in Germany.  While in the States he managed the Air Force’s DC-9 Training center and was Deputy Director of Operations for the C-141 Training Center.  Darren also served as the Operations Director for the Operational Support Squadron where he worked with Flight Services and ATC.  He is currently serving on the Industrial Advisory Board for Embry Riddle, Prescott campus working with faculty and students ensuring their curriculum is meeting the needs of the industry.  Darren is also actively working with the industry and AACA in attempting to implement changes to enhance safety in the State of Alaska.

Norman Chance - CEO - Sky Airparts
Norman founded and developed Sky Airparts, a company that distributes aircraft parts for both general aviation and corporate aviation markets. Expanded product lines to represent Fortune 500 aerospace manufacturers. Developed partnerships with Parker Aerospace, Textron Aviation, Goodyear, Teledyne, etc. Developed a global customer base that supports over 400 clients in 21 countries. Integrated a FAA AC0056 Quality Management Accreditation in 2018. First company in Alaska to achieve this certification.
Previously, Norman was the president of Chance Aviation Services in Indianapolis, IN; the Product Support Manager at Beechcraft Corporation also in Indianapolis; Advanced Manufacturing Engineer Technician for Rolls Royce Aerospace and Inspector General (Major U.S.A.F - C.A.P.).
Beginning in August, Norman is pursuing an EdD Degree in Aerospace from Oklahoma State Univeristy.

Kyle Weinzirl - FAA Safety Team Program Manager

Mike Yorke - FAA Safety Team Program Manager

Tom Welch - Turbine Engine Sales Manager - Covington
Tom Welch is Covington’s Turbine Engine Sales Manager covering the Western United States (from the Rockies to the West Coast, including Alaska and Hawaii).  Tom is a graduate of the University of Idaho and a US Navy Veteran.  A passionate aircraft owner and pilot, he has an aviation background in turbine engine Supplemental Type Certification with the Walter/GE M601 series engines as well as the P&WC PT6A series engines.  A native Texan, having lived in many different locations, his roots are now deepest in the Pacific Northwest.  He currently resides on a 2000’x38’ airstrip in Eastern Washington, with his wife of 29 years, three daughters, their Rottweiler and his daughters’ cat.
Click here to view Tom's presentation.

​Ben McNamara - APS Brakes
Ben McNamara has been with APS for 17 years working as a Territory sales manager.  He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) December 2003 where he obtained a BS degree in Aviation Maintenance Management and currently holds an A&P license.
Click here to view Ben's presentation.
 
Kim Burton Customer Service Manager, Team Turboprop
Kim leads Textron’s Turboprop product support department (Team Turboprop). Located at Wichita’s service center, this passionate team of experts fields thousands of calls and emails every month providing technical assistance to King Air owners, pilots, operators, and mechanics all around the world. Kim is a private pilot and electrical engineer who joined Textron 18 years ago to integrate and certify new avionics systems on production models. She is proud to be a part of the ever-growing Caravan community that keeps this reliable fleet up to date and in the air.
Click here to view Kim's presentation.

Kurt Haneberg - Senior Aviation Maintenance Trainer - Garmin
Kurt is a Senior Aviation Maintenance Trainer for Garmin and has been with Garmin for over 5 years now.  Kurt’s current role is to provide maintenance training to Garmin dealers as well as OEM service centers on a wide variety of Garmin avionics.  His main focus is on integrated flight decks such as the G1000, G3000 and G5000.  Kurt also trains dealers on retrofit systems at dealer training events held around the world and at Garmin headquarters as well.  Kurt has over 30 years in aviation that started in the U.S. Navy.  Along with that Kurt has worked as an avionics technician for a major air carrier and also worked as a technician, troubleshooter and lastly as a Fleet Technical Manager for a fractional airline.
Click here to view Kurt's presentation.

Tim Owen - Product Support Engineer - Continental Aerospace Technologies
Tim began his aviation career in the United States Air Force as a Tactical Aircraft Mechanic. Upon leaving the military he enrolled in Alabama Aviation and Technical College where he obtained his Airframe & Powerplant License with an Associate Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology and an Associate Degree in Avionics Technology also earning the Federal Communications License (FCC), Tim also has his Inspection Authorization rating and his Private Pilot’s License. He started with Continental Motors in 2015 in the Customer Service Department. 
Click here to view Tim's presentation.

Wade Weiss - Assistant Professor - UAA Aviation Technology Department
Wade Weiss is an Assistant Professor in the Aviation Technology Department at UAA and is a graduate of the Aviation Maintenance Technology program where he earned his A&P certificate.  He is a prior US Air Force aircraft maintenance manager and has worked as an A&P mechanic at Aero Twin Inc. and Ravn Alaska.  He is currently the Program Manager of the Mechanic Helper Education Program (MHEP).
Click here to view Wade's presentation.

Ed Lopez - Ditribution Manager - Teledyne Batteries
Over the last thirty years, Ed has been working in the aviation industry with a primary focus on aircraft batteries. Ed spent a good part of the 90’s manufacturing and selling battery charger/analyzers for JFM Engineering in Miami, Florida. Soon after a successful career in the charger business, he started working in the battery shop for the same company. It was there that Ed learned how to service Lead Acid and NiCad batteries. He soon became the shop supervisor and traveled around the US and Latin America setting up local battery shops and training staff members to help them obtain their FAA Repair Station Certifications.
Nowadays, Ed has been on the Battery OEM side of the business for the last 10 years. He is currently the Distribution Manger for Teledyne Battery Products ensuring our customers have all the support they need when selling its full suite of starting batteries. In this role Ed has also spoken at many industry events and IA Renewals where he’s provided “best practices” training on VRLA (AGM) battery maintenance.
A Florida resident since 1986, Ed is an enthusiastic member of the community and enjoys golf and all the best that Florida has to offer.
Click here to view Ed's presentation.
​
Noah and Jerry Allsup - Dominion Propeller
Founded in 1977 by Gerald Allsup, Dominion Propeller is an FAA approved and certified repair station known for its quality of work and high standard of safety. Located in Anchorage, AK, Dominion is now the only propeller repair station in the state. We take pride in meeting and exceeding the needs of our large cargo and airline customers that connect Alaska and the guides and flightseeing operations that make up the heart of the Alaskan aviation community. 
Dominion offers top-quality propeller overhaul services, exchanges, and sales of new and used aircraft propellers and governors. In the office, Gerald is able to offer his 40+ years of experience to customers while his son and part owner of the company, Noah, manages the shop floor and keeps the workflow moving smoothly and efficiently with his crew of trained and certified technicians. 

Dave Swartz - Senior Engineer - Anchorage ACO Branch - FAA
Dave Swartz grew up in Alaska and learned to fly at an early age. He went on to become an Aeronautical Engineer working at companies large and small before going back to school to study aging aircraft issues, primarily fracture mechanics and material science at the University of Utah.  Dave currently works for the FAA in the Anchorage Aircraft Certification office and has spent a great deal of time studying Accidents in Alaska and ways to prevent deaths in those accidents.

Marcus Runyan - Aerospace Engineer - FAA
Marcus is an Aerospace Engineer with the Anchorage Aircraft Certification Office of the FAA.  His background includes experience in aircraft crash dynamics and crashworthiness systems design and testing.  Marcus is also has an A&P and pilot.  
Marcus earned an Associate’s Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering along with a pilot’s license and A&P certificate from Park’s College in 1989.
Marcus earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University in 1996.
Marcus earned a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado in 2008.

Rob Steel - Field Support Manager - Pratt & Whitney Canada
Pratt & Whitney Canada Field Support Manager for the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Washington and British Columbia, Canada.  31 years’ experience with Pratt & Whitney Canada and started my career in experimental & engine test.  26 of those years have been with Field Operations at various posts throughout the world supporting all engine models manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Francis Marotte - PT6A Customer Engineering - Pratt & Whitney Canada
Francis Marotte is a Customer Engineer for Pratt & Whitney Canada in the General Aviation market, providing supports for PT6A all over the world. He has been with P&WC since 2005 and previously worked as a Stress Engineer in Transmission Design primarily on the PT6A-67F, PW210S and PT6A-140 reduction gearboxes. 

Jack Peters - Owner - HazMat Transportation Services
Jack Peters has over 45 years of transportation experience and has been instructing Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods transportation for over 40 years in Alaska, Hawaii, the contiguous 48 states and foreign countries for both shippers and carriers for all modes of transportation. 

Stephanie Wells - Drug and Alchol Program Administrator - Beacon Occupational Health and Safety Services
Stephanie Wells is a Drug and Alcohol Program Administrator for Beacon Occupational Health and Safety Services. Stephanie has six years of experience in the drug and alcohol testing industry with an extensive background in program administration, policy review and consultation, compliance auditing and training. Stephanie earned her C-SAPA (Certified Substance Abuse Program Administrator) certification in 2019. Stephanie’s knowledge and experience in the industry bring a solid perspective to the workplace testing industry in Alaska. Since Alaska’s recreational marijuana laws came to light in 2013, she has assisted with policy reviews and updates. Stephanie has worked to ensure employers are aware of the opioid epidemic and can provide a number of resources for employers that are concerned about opioid abuse in the workplace. Her professional drive is to ensure that employers and employees in Alaska understand the importance and practice of a drug- and alcohol-free workplace.

Dr. John Lloyd - DC, CCEP, CCEP
Dr. Lloyd, DC, CCEP, CCEP is a natural health and wellness doctor in Anchorage, Alaska. The innovative combination of nutritional counseling, physical therapy and chiropractic care, has made his wellness centers well known for their success in the natural care of; digestive disorders, sleep  
problems, fatigue, headaches, pain syndromes, athletic injuries, lasting weight loss and stress related illness. Dr. Lloyd graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Biology. He received his doctorate at Logan Chiropractic College in 1998 and has been in 
practice for 21 years. Dr. Lloyd continues his post-graduate training in various spinal  correction techniques. His wellness centers take pride in serving the community with the  best possible health care. His offices specialize in offering advanced, state-of-the-art outpatient orthopedic physical  therapy services, that will educate, motivate, and empower the community. Dr. Lloyd aims  to maximize patient satisfaction by providing an enjoyable, holistic approach to health,  wellness, and rehabilitation. The offices offer a structured nutritional program that is appropriate for your specific needs.  We have numerous health food recommendations to discuss and offer a variety of  nutritional supplements. If you are curious to which minerals and vitamins may help, we  will be happy to answer any of your questions. Massage therapy is a great treatment modality that provides a natural solution to pain and  discomfort. It delivers a relaxing way to eliminate musculoskeletal stiffness and pain for  many patients. Our office offers a wide variety of massage therapy options, that are  customized to correspond with the patient’s condition. We focus on helping each patient achieve a fulfilling, happy and healthy lifestyle that can  encompass their favorite activities. Dr. John Lloyd is actively involved in the research and advancement of wellness and  natural health care. His mission is to create healthier communities though wellness  education. Dr. Lloyd’s patients include people from all walks of life. He is a national  lecturer on natural health care and has lectured in corporate wellness programs for over 15 years.
Click here to view Dr. Lloyd's Presentation.

Mary O'Connor - NIOSH/CDC
Mary O’Connor has managed the Alaska Aviation Safety Research project with the National Institute for Safety and Health in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention since 2009. NIOSH staff design, develop, and conduct research and evaluations, and provide recommendations to improve health and safety in the aviation industry. She is a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service and has been a flight instructor for over twenty years.
Click here to view Mary's presentation.

AACA 2021 ANNUAL CONVENTION 
​cOMPANY PARTICIPANTS



​70 North
Mike McCrary
 
AHT Insurance
Barbara Sandberg
Jamie Madonna
 
Air Charter Safety Foundation
Bryan Burns
 
Alaska Airlines
Scott Habberstad
 
Alaska Central Express
Terry Olsen
 
Alaska Seaplanes
Erica Sjoroos
Mike Stedman
 
Ampaire
Leslie Tong
 
Assured Partners Aerospace
Joel Heining
 
AT&T
Tyler Renner
Kris Hovila
Kenneth Reiser
 
Bear Mountain Air
Joe Huston
 
Coastal Helicopters
Mike Wilson
 
Crowley
Jessica Croffut
 
DASH Systems
Bryan Miller
MJ Morrison
 
Everts Air
Susan Hoshaw

FAA
Alice Salzman
Amy Trevisan
Anthony Affisio
August Asay
Beth Claiborne
Brandon Parker
Brian Ochs
Cornell Walker
Della Swartz
Donald Kirby
Douglas Lawry
Dustin Cook
Frank DeFeo
Frederick Niles
Glenn Brown
Hardie Deguzman
Jamie Abordonado
Katrina Moss
Lynette Blessie
Mary Cocklin
Matthew Stearns
Mike Fleming
Molly Fierro
Rodney Clark
Robert Perkins
Ryan Feil
Scott Smith
Sheri Baxter
Stacie Burkhardt
Thomas Kenny
Tom Clark
Tom Noble
Vince Massimini
William Clark
 
Grant Aviation
Dan Knesek
 
Hank Myers
 
Hilcorp
Chris Beaty
Tom Freeburg
 
Lynden
Aaron Rocereta
James Davis
​
McGriff
Erik Zentler
 
Ryan Air
Andrew Angstman
Christopher Els
Emmanuel Borromeo
Lee Ryan
Michael Brown
Robert Lucas
Tiffany Lease
Wilfred Ryan
 
StandardAero
Todd Vanderhyde
 
State of Alaska DOT&PF, Statewide Aviation
Aaron Hughes
Amanda Del Frate
Amanda Stonechipher
April Woolery
Becca Douglas
Beau Obrigewitch
Burrell Nickeson
Charlie Wagner
Chris Cole
Clark Cox
Diana Osborne
Garritt Boling
Jason Jordan
Jeff Burnett
Jenelle Binkman
Jennifer Keller
Jennifer Rackliff
Jodi Gould
John Linnell
Johnna Merculief
Jourde Mitchell
Joy Vaughn
Luke Bowland
Margaret Moody
Maria Logan
Mark Riley
Matt McClurg
Matthew Hansen
Michael Cooke
Nicholas Warton
Phil Cheasebro
Roger Maggard
Rory Bryant
Ryan Marlow
Sammy Cummings
Sharyn Augustine
Tadd Isaacson
Travis Dennison
Troy LaRues
Virginia Groeschel
Wolfgang Junge
 
Suburban Air
Mark Meyer
 
Taquan Air
Brien Salazar
 
UAA Aviation Technology Division
Ishmael Cremer
Paul Herrick
 
USPS
Ronald Haberman
Victoria O’Hara
 
Warbelow’s Air Ventures
Nancy Neidlinger
Paul Willet
Tim Glubaskas
Travis Depinski
 
Wings Airways
Holly Davis