Committees & Chairs

Academic Relations Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Derek Martin, MBA, A.A.E.

Purpose: Provide opportunities for Northeast Chapter students through networking with industry professionals and other NEC student chapters.

Chair:  Stephen Williams, Delaware River & Bay Authority

Airports Conference Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Carl Braley, A.A.E.

Purpose: Plan, organize, and facilitate the NEC Annual Airports Conference.

Chair: Ed Foster, A.A.E., Lancaster Airport Authority

Vice Chair: Dave Jones, P.E., C.M., Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.

Balchen/Post Awards Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E.

Purpose: Promote better snow and ice control, and to recognize those individuals responsible for outstanding performance.

Chair:  Alex M. Kashani, A.A.E. NEC/AAAE

Communications Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Derek Martin, MBA, A.A.E.

Purpose: Foster communication through electronic email, social media and chapter website for internal and external customers.

Chair: Corey Hanlon, Morristown Municipal Airport

Vice Chair: Jill Johnson, McFarland Johnson

Corporate Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Derek Martin, MBA, A.A.E.

Purpose: Maintain strong relationships between the organization Airports and the Corporate Community aligning strategic initiatives and being advocates in both the Northeast Region and Washington, DC.

Chair: Nicholas Ryan, PMP RS&H

Vice Chair: Nick McLaughlin, C&S Companies

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Darren Large, A.A.E.

Purpose: Enhancing the environment for diversity, equity and inclusion across the chapter

Chair: Api Appulingam, PE, CM, City of Philadelphia, Division of Aviation

Vice Chair: Keiva Rodriques, PE, CM, MDOT, Maryland Aviation Administration

Hub Airports Winter Operations & Deicing Conference Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Darren Large, A.A.E.

Purpose: Coordinate conference logistics and serve as the liaison between AAAE and NEC/AAAE.

Chair: Bob Junge PASSUR Aerospace, Inc.

International Aviation Snow Symposium (IASS) Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E.

Purpose: Plan, organize, and facilitate the International Aviation Snow Symposium and Snow Academy certifications.

Chair:  Joseph E. Guarino, C.M., Buffalo Niagara International Airport 

Vice Chair: Carlton Braley, A.A.E., Fortbrand

Membership Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Zach Sundquist, A.A.E.

Purpose: Grow and maintain strong relationships with active and engaged members serving as a conduit that adds real value to the membership.

Chair: Paul Brean, C.M., Pease Development Authority

NEC ARFF Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Zach Sundquist, A.A.E.

Purpose: Plan and execute the NEC/AAAE annual 40-hour ARFF School and certification in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation PART 139.319.

Chair: Thomas Bonura, Allegheny County Airport Authority

Nominating Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E.

Purpose: Appointed by the President to solicit interest from chapter members to serve as future Board of Director and/or Executive Committee members in accordance with the bylaws.

Chair: Carlton Braley, A.A.E.

NEC/AAAE Policy Review Committee, (NEC PRC)
Executive Committee Liaison:  Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E.

Purpose: Harness the institutional knowledge of the Chapter’s Past Presidents and create a simple and direct conduit to and from the Council and the Executive Committee (EC) and the Board of Directors (BOD), via the Chair and Co-Chair.

The NEC PRC is being created as a resource for the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors to establish a more structured path for Past Presidents to interface with them. When the EC/BOD is looking for guidance, concurrence, or comments on an item, they will funnel the request to the Chair and Co-Chair of the NEC PRC. The Chair and Co-Chair will then reach out to the  council members for their input, with the assistance of the Chapter’s Management Office. In return, if any of the Past Presidents have a topic of concern or interest they would like to discuss with the EC/BOD, they will funnel the request through the NEC PRC Chair and Co-Chair. The NEC PRC Chair and Co-Chair will aggregate the committee’s responses and formulate a cohesive, unified message. Any unified message or response will be considered a recommendation. The EC/BOD will have final say on matters under their purview per the bylaws.

Chair: Ed Foster, A.A.E., Lancaster Airport Authority

Vice Chair: Richard Williams, A.A.E.

Professional Development Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Zach Sundquist, A.A.E.

Purpose: Provide training and professional development opportunities for the membership.

Chair: Derek Martin, A.A.E., MBA, Erie Regional Airport Airport Authority

State Representatives Committee/Government Affairs Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Carl Braley, A.A.E.

Purpose: Foster communication between state membership and leadership.

Chairs:  Paul McDonough, PE, McFarland Johnson and Chasen Congreves, Pease Development Authority

Onboard with Autism Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Derek Martin, MBA, A.A.E.

Purpose: The mission of the NEC "On Board with Autism" Program is to provide families with special needs the tools to allow them to experience travel in the airports throughout the Northeast Chapter of AAAE. The experience helps airline staff, TSA, and families learn about autism and create positive flying experiences for individuals with autism and their families.

Chair:  Derek Martin, A.A.E., MBA, Erie Regional Airport Airport Authority

Vice Chair: Marcela Hernandez, C.M., Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

Young Professionals Committee
Executive Committee Liaison:  Zach Sundquist, A.A.E.

Purpose: To provide our future leaders with resources and ideas.  Open to anyone under 35, or those with less than 5 years in the industry.  Please contact our Committee Liaisons regarding membership at [email protected], subject line Yo Pro.

Chairs:  Kirsten Brown, Michael Baker International

Vice Chair: Shon Dempsey, Frederick Municipal Airport

Committee Liaisons:  Paul Brean, C.M., Pease Development Authority and Melinda Montgomery, A.A.E., Trenton-Mercer Airport