2012 NextGen Ahead Conference Advisory Board
- Chris Baur, FRAeS, President, Hughes Aerospace Corporation
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Chris Baur is the President of Hughes Aerospace Corporation, providing Technical Services to major aerospace manufacturers, government and industry. Chris has been involved with PBN implementation projects globally, involving RNAV RNP, RNP AR, GBAS/GLS and WAAS LPV programs. He is a retired military/government aviator, who served in the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force (ANG) and US Customs Service, and is also an experienced captain and test pilot at a major US Airline. A dual-rated ATP who possesses type ratings in the B737, B757/767, B777 as well as other business, rotary-wing aircraft, along with flight instructor and dispatcher ratings. His helicopter background includes flying the longest oceanic rescue mission in history, flown in a USAF HH-60G Pavehawk, (without the aid of PBN). - Joe Bertapelle, Director of Strategic Aerospace Programs, JetBlue Airways
- Captain Joe Burns, Managing Director, Technology and Flight Test, United Airlines
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Captain Joseph D. Burns is the Managing Director of Technology and Flight Test at United Airlines. At United, he previously held positions as Managing Director – Flight Standards, FAA Certificate Director of Operations, Director – Flight Standards, Director – Technology, Chief Pilot – FFDO Program, Manager – Automation Systems, Pilot Instructor on both the A320/319 and B-727 fleets, served as ALPA LEC Safety Chairman, and has flown A-320/319, B-737, and B-727 in line operations for UA. He is currently flying Captain on the A319/320. He is type-rated in A320, A319, B-727, DHC-8, BE-1900 and BE300 aircraft.
Previous to United, Joe was the Director of Operations and Chief Pilot for USAir Express/Stateswest Airlines, a BAE-146 Pilot for USAir, B-727 Instructor and Pilot for Braniff Airlines, and Metroliner Pilot for Air Midwest.
He is currently on the Executive Advisory Board for Position, Navigation, and Time (GPS); an Advisory Board Member for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR/UCAR); Board Member for EMS Technologies (NASDAQ:ELMG), Member of the NextGen Advisory Council Subcommittee; Board Member for Optical Detection Systems, Inc, Board Member and is the Chairman of the Board of ATN Systems, Inc, Chairman of the Board for Agile Defense, LLC, and Board Member for Sensurion, LLC. Additionally he is Chairman Emeritus for the ATA Air Traffic Control Council, Chairman Emeritus of the ATA Airline Operations Committee, former Vice-Chairman of the Airborne Internet Consortium, and former Board Member of the FAA’s Free Flight Steering Committee. Captain Burns was also a Board Member for AirDat, LLC - a Loeb and Holmes Capital Partners joint venture.
His engineering experience includes President of Inertia Technology, developing AWOS and Flight Sensor Systems, Chief Pilot and systems engineer for Coffeen, Fricke, and Associates (Lenexa, KS), Chief Systems Engineer for Ericsson, Inc’s Fiber Optic Network Communications Division (Overland Park, KS), and Engineering Manager for Sprint’s Telenet/UniNet Division.
He holds an MBA in Management from the Miami University School of Business and a BS in Aeronautics/Aeronautical Engineering from Miami University. Joe also holds multiple patents in Communications, Security, and Sensor Technology.
- Russ Chew, Managing Partner, NEXA Capital Partners
- Gary Church, President, Aviation Management Associates
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Mr. Church has extensive experience and current involvement in all facets of Air Traffic Control Operations, Airspace Management and Security, Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance aviation-related activities. Extensive relationship and work with federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Transportation Security Administration and Research and Special Projects Administration. Mr. Church has guided Aviation Management Associates through a broad range of aviation issues related to the FAA, NASA and TSA including: airports; security; airspace; air traffic control; flight standards; research, engineering, development and logistics; budget; and legislative affairs.
Gary’s major activities have included membership on the FAA Aviation System Capacity Task Force, FAA Air Traffic Control Procedures Advisory Committee, participation in the Airport Operators Council International's Airport Capacity and Delay Reduction Task Force, participation in National and Regional FAA sponsored Think Tank Forums, and FAA National Airspace Review and membership on selected RTCA Special Committees, including SC155, Future Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Requirements and Task Force 2: Digital Data Link.
Prior to establishing Aviation management Associates, Inc. in 1984 he was Manager of Air Traffic Control with industry trade association representing all major airline interests in air traffic control and related matters with the FAA. Additionally, he served as airline spokesperson and representative in government, private and public forums concerning air traffic control and related technical, procedural and policy issues. Major activities included coordination and implementation of the air traffic controller's strike contingency plans between the FAA and the airline industry, participation in the Air Traffic Control Association's Terminal Control Area Requirements Review, participation in thirty-two of forty-four public National Airspace Review Task Groups and participation in FAA's Human Factors Workshops. In addition, Mr. Church worked extensively with air traffic control procedures in both domestic and international environment. Responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing a wide range of air traffic control procedure initiatives on behalf of the airline industry in terminal, en-route, and oceanic areas affecting the safety, capacity, and efficiency of national and international air transportation.
Before joining ATA Gary was employed as an air traffic control specialist at the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center and involved in a wide range of air traffic control responsibilities including: development and coordination of procedures, equipment and airspace matters; incident analysis; facility management techniques to insure proper facility performance; development of training programs; and computer system supervision of facility automation configuration and performance. He was detailed as a radar instructor in 1977 to develop a dynamic simulation training capability, program and procedures for instructing air traffic control students in a simulated air traffic control environment. In addition he was selected to serve as Facility Area Office Specialist in 1978 to develop and coordinate air traffic control procedures and airspace matter between FAA en-route and terminal facilities, as well as coordinate these issues with affected military organizations and personnel.
Further, responsibilities included developing equipment initialization, transition, and implementation planning and procedures for equipment (i.e., Direct Access Radar Channel). Also accomplished first new and extensive rewrite of Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center Facility Operations Procedures Manual. Participated FAA systems integration working group supporting of Electronic Tabular Display Subsystem (ETABS) planned as electronic flight strips. Developed a communications course in 1979 to instruct developmental controllers in the use, capabilities, and limitations of FAA communication equipment.
Mr. Church’s education experience includes: FAA Instrument Flight Rating, Washington DC (1981); Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind. (1971-1977) Major fields of study included physics and economics; University of Evansville, Evansville Ind. (1967-1970) Major fields of study included physics and industrial engineering with related concentration in personnel supervision matters; FAA Private Pilot, Anchorage, Alaska (1969); University of California, Davis/Berkeley, Calif. (1965-1966) Major fields of study included physics and economics.
Mr. Church’s organizational membership includes: Air Traffic Control Association; Alexandria, Virginia where he served as Chairman 1995 ATCA Convention, Technical Chairman 1992 ATCA Convention, Technical Co-chairman 1987 ATCA Convention, Technical Co-chairman 1988 ATCA Convention and Member of Awards and Scholarship Committees; Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (now RTCA), Washington, D.C.; Aero Club of Washington, Washington, D.C, Trustee in 1992; Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, Member of University Research Advisory Council and Chairman Airway Sciences Research Advisory Committee; National Aeronautics Association; Washington, D.C.; Experimental Aircraft Association; Federal Aviation Administration Aviation System Capacity Task Force; Center for Applied Human Factors in Aviation; Orlando, Florida Member of Advisory Board Group; University Aviation Association; Opelika, Alabama; Human Factors Society; Santa Monica, California; National Aviation Club; Washington, D.C.; Indianapolis Council of Federal Agencies; Indianapolis, Publications and Awards include the following: Flight Safety Foundation Bulletin; Article: "Air Traffic Control Communication Concerns"; Air Traffic Control Association; Letter of Commendation; Flight Safety Foundation Bulletin; Article: "The FAA NOTAM System"; Air Traffic Control Association; Letter of Commendation; Article: "The Changing Challenge for Air Traffic Control"; Air Traffic Control Association; Article: "A Look at Runway Occupancy"; Air Traffic Control Association; Technical Writer of the Year Award; Encyclopedia Britannica; Contributing Editor on Aviation; Air Traffic Control Association; Article: "ATC: The Human Element"; Federal Aviation Administration; Letter of Commendation; Letter of Appreciation; Indianapolis Area United Way Combined Federal Campaign; Outstanding Achievement Award; Federal Aviation Administration; Letter of Commendation; United States Jaycees; Outstanding Achievement Award; Indiana State Jaycees; Outstanding Achievement Award; Brownsburg Jaycees; Jaycee of the Year; and Federal Aviation Administration; Letter of Commendation; Letter of Appreciation
- Sarah Dalton, Director, Airspace and Technology, Alaska Airlines
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Sarah Dalton is currently the Director, Airspace and Technology for Alaska Airlines. She leads a team of engineers and pilots to implement flight deck improvements and flight procedures that increase the safety and efficiency of flight operations. Her 27 years in the Aviation industry includes airline, airport management and FAA experience. She currently serves on the RTCA’s Integrated Capabilities Working Group, the ATA’s Airline Operations Committee and the FAA’s Performance-Based Navigation Aviation Rulemaking Committee.Sarah is a Certified Member of American Association of Airport Executives and a private pilot. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering from Tufts University, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Washington, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from University of Montana.
- Captain Stephen Dickson, SVP Flight Operations, Delta Air Lines
- Steve Fulton, Technical Fellow, GE Aviation
- Michael R. Garvin, Jr, Executive Director, NextGen Institute
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Michael Garvin was appointed Executive Director of the NextGen Institute in January 2011. He is an experienced pilot and has over 20 years of experience in airline operations management.Mr. Garvin most recently served as the Vice President of Flight Operations for Pinnacle Airlines, where he was recognized throughout the industry for his expertise in labor relations, financial management, and specifically as a leader in NextGen Air Transportation System (NextGen) development and implementation in the National Air Space system. Under Mr. Garvin’s leadership, both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recognized Pinnacle’s Flight Operations department for its leadership role in safety culture development. During this time Pinnacle was also recognized for its pioneering efforts in optimizing airspace use and coordination. Prior to his role as Vice President, Mr. Garvin was also the Director of Flight Operations at Pinnacle, where he managed pilot operations, hiring, and training during the fastest growth in the history of any regional airline. Additionally, he has served as Director of Flight Operations and Acting General Manager for Skyway Airlines, where he led efforts to launch the world’s first 32-passenger regional jets into revenue service.
Mr. Garvin was an active member of RTCA’s Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee (ATMAC) since 2006, and was an original member of the NextGen Advisory Committee Sub Committee (NACSC).
Mr. Garvin is an Intelligence Officer in the Wisconsin Air National Guard and has been deployed numerous times in support of the Global War on Terror. He earned a BS in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, and an MBA with an emphasis in finance from the Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh. His technical publications include a chapter on service delivery from a regional airline perspective in the Handbook of Airline Marketing, and a chapter on strategic shifts in the regional airline industry in the Handbook of Airline Operations.
- Margaret Jenny, President, Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA)
- Richard "Macka" Macfarlane, Chief, Communications Navigation & Surveillance (CNS), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
- Jeff Martin, SVP Operations, JetBlue Airways
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Captain Jeff Martin has twenty one years of experience at Southwest Airlines, having held leadership positions within Flight Operations, Technical Operations, System Operations, NextGen programs, and Air Traffic Management. Captain Martin’s last four years have been dedicated to the completion of the Southwest Airlines automation and NextGen transformation project. He has led this extensive project as Southwest Airlines invested more than $100 million in Performance-Based Navigation efforts. Since receiving their FAA approval for Required Navigation Performance in 2011, Southwest Airlines has successfully completed more than 6,500 RNP approaches. As the Vice President of the Operations Coordination Center (OCC), Captain Martin directs 3,400 daily departures, 550 aircraft, and more than 12,000 Crew Members across the Southwest network. With the upcoming integration of AirTran Airways, the OCC will expand its oversight to 700 aircraft and nearly 4,000 daily departures.
Captain Martin is a former United States Air Force Pilot who continues his Southwest Airlines flight currency, logging more than 10,000 hours of command time in the Boeing 737.
- Robert Pearce, Director – Strategy, Architecture & Analysis, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
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Robert Pearce is director for strategy, architecture and analysis in the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. He is responsible for establishing a strategic systems analysis capability focused on understanding the system-level impacts of NASA's programs, the potential for integrated solutions, and the development of high-leverage options for new investment and partnership. From 2003 until July 2010, Pearce was the deputy director of the FAA-led Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO). The JPDO is an interagency office tasked with developing and facilitating the implementation of a national plan to transform the air transportation system to meet the long-term transportation needs of the nation.
Prior to the JPDO, Pearce held various strategic and program management positions within NASA. In the mid-1990s he led the development of key national policy documents including the National Science and Technology Council's "Goals for a National Partnership in Aeronautics Research and Technology" and the "Transportation Science and Technology Strategy". These two documents provided a substantial basis for NASA's expanded investment in aviation safety and airspace systems.
He began his career as a design engineer at the Grumman Corporation, working on such projects as the Navy's F-14 Tomcat fighter and DARPA's X-29 Forward Swept Wing Demonstrator. Pearce also has experience from the Department of Transportation's Volpe National Transportation Systems Center where he made contributions in the area of advanced concepts for intercity transportation systems.
Pearce has received NASA's Exceptional Service Medal for sustained excellence in planning and advocating innovative aeronautics programs in conjunction with the White House and other federal agencies. He received NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal for outstanding leadership of the JPDO in support of the transformation of the nation's air transportation system. Pearce has also received NASA's Cooperative External Achievement Award and several Exceptional Performance and Group Achievement Awards.
He earned a bachelor's of science degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Syracuse University, and a master's of science degree in technology and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Dr. Karlin Toner, Director, Joint Planning & Development Office (JPDO) and Senior Staff Advisor to Secretary of Transportation for NextGen
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Dr. Karlin Toner is the Director of the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO). As Director of the JPDO, Dr. Toner manages an interagency initiative charged with facilitating and coordinating the development of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Dr. Toner also serves as the Senior Staff Advisor to the Secretary of Transportation for NextGen, a role she has held since January 2009.Dr. Toner has 20 years of experience with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). From August 2006 to December 2008, she served as Director of the Airspace Systems Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Prior to this, Dr. Toner held several key positions in aerospace and aeronautical planning and research while working at the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. From July 2005 to August 2006, Dr. Toner was the Associate Director for Aeronautics, charged with developing long-range technical and resource plans for aeronautical projects. Prior to that assignment, she established and managed the Aerospace Operations Modeling Branch. This organization provided a focal point for the modeling and simulation of air traffic operations within NASA.
Dr. Toner was a lecturer in the Aerospace Engineering Department at San Jose State University from 1991 to 1994. Her technical publications include papers on aircraft aerodynamics and design, computational physics, and the analysis of air traffic systems. Dr. Toner earned a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 2011, Dr. Toner received the University of Florida's Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Outstanding Alumnus Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Toner holds doctoral and master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida, along with an honorary doctoral degree in Science and a bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
- Beth White, Senior Advisor for NextGen Communications and Branding, FAA
