Join SCCAAAE for the 2025 Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas
Session Descriptions
More Session Descriptions to Come.
Passenger Experience
Moderator: Heather Estrada, Assistant Director, Dallas Airport System
Speakers: Sheena Swehla, Arts & Programming Manager, Dallas Airport System
Isai Velasquez, Assistant Vice President, CX – Terminal Experience , DFW Airport
Courtney Wright, Senior VP Business Development, Flagship
This panel will explore the evolving nature of airport customer experience, focusing on how innovation and best practices can enhance a passenger’s journey, how to mitigate frustration in a crowded terminal, and creating a team dedicated to provided excellent customer service.
YoPro Leadership Panel
Moderator: Araceli (Chely) Caraveo, Talent & Workforce Development Manager, Dallas Airport System
Speakers: Alan Mathew, Interim Sr. Manager of Real Estate & Airline Affairs, Dallas Airport System
Mitchell McAnally, Regional Aviation Director, Garver
Suresh Narayanan, CEO, Jets MRO
Lina Sabbah, Director of Aircraft Solutions and Acquisitions Business Jet
This panel will explore the diverse experiences of aviation professionals, focusing on the journey that led them to pursue a career in the aviation industry and essentials skills needed for success today. Attendees can expect discussions on overcoming challenges, navigating mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Community Engagement
Moderator: Dawn Blair, Sr. Manager of Business and Commercial Opportunities, Dallas Airport System
Speakers: Casey Coker, President, Women in Aviation North Texas Chapter
Rozalind Dickerson-Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager, Dallas Airport System
Dana Donati, CEO, Breaking Down Barriers
Nathan Huegen , VP of Education, Commemorative Air Force
This panel will explore the vital role of community engagement and outreach in the aviation industry, focusing on how events like airshows, airport tours, and educational programs can foster stronger connections between airports and local communities bridging the gap that we all know exist.
Houston Airports – Utilizing Asset Management Techniques to Address Complex Airport Maintenance Problems
Moderator: Scott Hill, C.M., Deputy Director-Infrastructure, HAS
Speakers: Ellen Kay Crews, Senior Consultant, Woolpert
Gary High, Deputy Director-Large Capital Projects, Houston Airport System
Eren Selcen, A.A.E, City Engineer, Houston Airport System
This session will explore how the HAS Maintenance Division utilized an On-Call Asset Management Agreement with Woolpert to analyze complex and large maintenance problems.
The Increasing Role of Communications Professionals in Airport Operations
Speakers: Robin Schmerber, Strategic Communications Manager, San Antonio International Airport
Lacey Guzman, Marketing & Air Service Development Manager, Corpus Christi International Airport
Laura Nick, Chief Communications Officer, Garver
What’s behind the growing industry trends of increasing reliance on marketing agencies as external consultants and increasing numbers of communications professionals in airport management? What do these professionals bring to the table? How can your airport leverage their skills and services?
This session will feature airport communication leaders discussing the evolving role of communications teams in airport operations. Learn about internal communications strategies to engage employees, messaging key milestones through public relations work, the impact community outreach and engagement can make, the advantage of crisis communications plans, and branding strategies.
The Runway to the Future is Here
Speaker : Andrea Goodpasture, Managing Director Airport Affairs, Southwest Airlines
How innovation in the airline, airport, and passenger experience is taking airport-airline relationships to new heights by encouraging development of forward-thinking ideas to broaden stakeholder involvement, deliver stronger financial benefits, and better support the traveling public and communities we serve.
Navigating the NEPA Process: AUS Case Study
Speakers: John Erion , Senior Environmental Planner, RS&H
Dean McMath, Environmental Quality Control Manager, RS&H
Clayton Singleton, Principal Airfield Engineer, RS&H
Brian Zinn, Senior Environmental Scientist, City of Austin Aviation Department
This case study examines the lessons learned during the Environmental Assessment for the Airport Expansion and Development Program at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It will highlight the challenges encountered, the solutions implemented, and how these strategies can be applied to navigate the evolving NEPA process in the future.
The Key to Thriving As a Small Airport - Fireside Chat
Moderator: Virginia Hunt, CM, Assistant Airport Director, Laredo International Airport
Speakers: Sean Parker, Airport Director, Draughon-Miller Airport, Temple, TX
Gilberto Sanchez, Airport Director, Laredo International Airport
This panel consists of two airport directors. One from a General Aviation airport and one from a Non-Hub Primary Airport. Our discussion will focus on in this day and time, how do they keep their airport “self-Sustaining” and what are some things they feel like are helping them keep growing.
Airport Electrification & Resiliency
Moderator: Megan McLellan, C.M, Strategic Funding Manager, Garver
Speakers: Matthew LeMay, P.E , Aviation Leader - Electrical, Garver
Sunday O. Odiyeye P.E, CIP Manager, City of Dallas Aviation Department
This one’s going to be electric! Hear how fellow airports solved their airport safety challenges and also improved their energy efficiency goals.
Let the Games begin...Preparing for Special Events at your Airport
Moderator: Chris Coons, Texas Aviation Lead, HW Lochner
Speakers:Trent Ballard, Airport Manager, City of Arlington
Blake Green, Airport Construction Superintendent, City of Oklahoma City
Ryan Rocha, AAE, IAP, Assistant Director - Operations, San Antonio International Airport
Imagine, you're sitting at your desk when your boss calls to say that your City is putting in a bid to host the Olympics, and if successful, you will need to not only provide exceptional service for your normal operations but now accommodate an influx of passengers (both domestic and international), media, aircraft, etc. Hear from industry leaders on how they have handled that very call and the steps they have gone through to prepare their facility. Let the games begin.
State of the States: Update from our State Leadership
Speakers: Grayson Ardies, State Director of Aeronautics, Oklahoma Aerospace & Aeronautics
Dan Harmon, Director of Aviation Division, TxDOT
Dan Moran, Aviation Staff Manager, NMDOTD
Ray Seif, Director of Aviation Division, KsDOT
Join us for a fun and interactive session with State aviation directors from Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas as we highlight the important role of airports in their state’s economic ecosystem and discuss their involvement in emerging technologies, infrastructure, and alternative fuels.
Audience participation will be required as we poll attendees to see: Are You Smarter than an Aviation Director?
Keynote - Leaders of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Speaker: Janette McMurtrie, Psy.D. Retired Captain, American Airlines
Dr. Janette McMurtrie will explore the dynamics of the decades, addressing what worked then and what did not. She will share what current global leaders of the aviation world are challenged with today along with her thoughts on where we should be going.
