Join SCCAAAE for the 2026 Annual Conference in El Paso, Texas
Session Descriptions
Session 1 - AAAE Update and Legislative Update
Speakers:
Rebecca Hupp, A.A.E., Chair & Airport Director, Boise Airport
Todd Hauptli, President & Chief Executive Office, AAAE
Session 2: The Inland Frontier: Airport Planning for the Space Economy
Speakers:
Jim Henry C.M., ACE, Airfield Manager, Spaceport America
Andrew Nelson, Vice President & Discipline Leader, RS&H Aerospace
Don't Get Left on the Runway: Spaceport America's master plan demonstrates how to attract aerospace dollars—and how your airport can generate revenue from the final frontier too.
Session 3: UTEP’s Role in the Future of Aviation Education
Speaker:
Dr. Heather Wilson, President, The University of Texas at El Paso
Dr. Wilson will discuss the future of aviation education and UTEP’s role in shaping the next generation of aviation professionals. Her distinguished career, combined with her leadership in higher education, makes her uniquely positioned to speak to the intersection of aviation, education, and innovation.
Session 4: Roundtables
This interactive roundtable session brings together aviation professionals from across the region to explore four important and timely topics shaping the industry today. Participants will have the opportunity to rotate among tables focused on:
Young Professionals (YoPro):
Moderators:Austin Wheeler C.M., Airport Manager, Tulsa Riverside AirportLance Lamkin A.A.E., Airport Administrator, Max Westheimer Airport
Attendees are invited to share experiences, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions while building valuable professional connections. Each discussion will be facilitated by members of the Young Professional Committee, offering fresh perspectives and encouraging open dialogue. Attendees are invited to share experiences, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions while building valuable professional connections.
Communications
Speaker:
Lorena Cardona, Marketing and Business Development Manager,
This roundtable will focus on the business of marketing your airport internally and externally including branding, signage, social media and community impact.
Alternative Power Sources
Speaker:
Eren Selcen, City Engineer, Houston Airport Systems
Security Fencing and Terminal Protection
Speakers:Chris Dodder, Ameristar Perimeter SecurityMatt Bean, Ameristar Perimeter Security
In this roundtable, we will discuss fencing options for both Landside and Airside, including access control. Other topics to discuss will be crash-rated bollards, barriers, and terminal protection.
Aviation Education and eVTOL
Speakers:
Manny Manriquez: Aviation Director, Acting- Albuquerque International Sunport: Facilitator
Come to this roundtable to see how technology will enhance the Aviation Industry. The Aviation Education and eVTOL Roundtable will explore how airports develop successful aviation education and eVTOL programs by integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Participants will gain insights into building collaborative pathways that connect communities, colleges, and universities, industry partners, and workforce training programs essential for long-term success. Key takeaways include strategies to raise awareness and engagement through public events, educational marketing, simulation-based training, community outreach, and understanding regulatory compliance.
Non-Aeronautical Revenue Drivers
Speaker:
Heather Neisen, Chief Customer Officer, Enliven
During this session, we’ll take an inside look at a new business model being implemented that is successfully delivering non-aeronautical revenue growth and award-winning experiences for travelers around the country.
Session 5: FAA Update
Speaker:
Ignacio Flores, Director, Office of Airports, Southwest Region (ASW-600), Federal Aviation Administration
Session 6: States of the States
Speaker:
Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT’s Aviation Division
LaToya Joseph, Aviation Project Manager, Louisiana Office of Multimodal Commerce Aviation Division
Jessi Litz-Rowden, Director of Aviation, NMDOT Aviation Division
Nick Young, C.M., Oklahoma Aerospace & Aeronautics
Moderator:
Jane Lucero, A.A.E., New Mexico Department of Transportation
Join us for a fun and interactive session with State aviation directors from Oklahoma, Louisiana, 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.
Session 7: Emergency Management and Impact on Airports
Speaker:
Jon Bender, Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator, Albuquerque International Sunport
Perry Havenar, Senior Aviation Planner, Centurion Planning & Design.
Scott Hill, Deputy Director of Infrastructure, Houston Airports
Willie Paris, Assistant Director of Operations and Security, El Paso International Airports
Session 8: Artificial Intelligence - AI Leadership Foundations
Speakers:
Maritza Burgos, Business Development, Sundt Construction
James Cullison, Program Technician, Sacramento County Department of Airports
Michael Hill, Project Executive, Sundt Construction
AI is already at our airports, and yet there is still questions about what it is and how it can benefit airports. This foundational discussion centers around AI as co-intelligence, not replacement, and will discussing leadership, risks, responsibilities, and balance through case studies and a scenario workshop.
Session 9: Securing the Skies: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Resilience at Airports
Speakers:
Ernesto Arriola, Chief Information Security Officer, City of El Paso
Don Green A.A.E., Director of Transportation Services, City of Abilene
Robert Sendek, Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Felix Villa, Cybersecurity Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Moderator:
Megan McLellan, C.M., MBAA, Garver
As airports become increasingly connected and reliant on digital systems, the stakes for cybersecurity and physical infrastructure security have never been higher. This session brings together industry experts to explore the evolving threat landscape facing aviation—from ransomware attacks and data breaches to vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for safeguarding airport operations, strategies for integrating cyber and physical security measures, and lessons learned from recent incidents. Join us to discover how airports can build resilience, protect passengers, and maintain trust in an era of rapid technological change.
General Aviation - Breakout Sessions
Monday: Leasing Best Practices
Jeff Bilyeu, A.A.E. will facilitate a discussion on aspects of leasing practices and guidelines. Term lengths, reversion language, insurance, inspections, maintenance and upkeep, rate escalations, and other subjects are all up for discussion.
Tuesday: Rates and Charges
Nick Young, CM will facilitate a discussion on the always relevant topic of airport rates and charges for all aspects of operations including hangar rates, apron parking rates, fuel flowage fees, and many others.
