Jacob Allen

Jacob Allen completed the Aviation Management and Flight Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), in 2010.  He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Aviation Management along with an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Flight. While attending SIU, he earned his commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating.

Early in his aviation career, Jacob spent several years working in the airline industry, holding various supervisory positions in customer service and ground operations for major Part 121 air carriers. Jacob spent time as the Airport Coordinator for Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority where his responsibilities included assisting the Airport Manager to plan, direct, and coordinate airport operations as well as oversee construction and facility maintenance in accordance with all relevant regulations among other duties.  Jacob also has experience working as an Airport Planner for Coffman Associates. 

In 2016, he became an aircraft owner and founded an aircraft rental LLC. He enjoys flying in his free time and volunteers as a pilot for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program to help inspire the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals.

Jessie Allen is the Director of Marketing, Communications & External Relations for the Tucson Airport Authority, a role in which she is responsible for the marketing, external and internal communications, and customer experience programs for the authority and its two airports, Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Ryan Airfield (RYN).

Allen has been with the TAA since June 2015 serving as Public Information Manager and before that, Public Relations Administrator.  In those positions she was the primary public information officer for the TAA.

She is a member of the ACI-NA MarComCX Steering Committee and serves as Program Co-Chair for the PRSA Southern Arizona chapter. She also serves as a volunteer committee member with the Arizona Bowl and is active with the Davis-Monthan AFB Honorary Commander group and University of Arizona Alumni Association.

Before joining the TAA, Allen was a media relations specialist for the University of Tennessee’s Athletics Department and worked in the University of Arizona Athletics Communication Services, serving as primary media relations contact for women’s gymnastics and men’s golf.  She also worked for nearly three years at Copper State Communications in marketing and communications.

Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee.

Jared Bass, P.E.

Danette Bewley, A.A.E.

Danette Bewley is from San Diego, CA, where her passion for aviation began. Her Dad was a decorated Navy fighter/combat pilot, stationed at NAS Miramar (now MCAS Miramar), and who later transitioned to a career as a commercial airline pilot for Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA - was headquartered in San Diego, CA, and primarily served the west coast).  PSA later merged with US Airways (and is now part of the American Airlines family). Throughout her childhood and into adulthood, Danette had the opportunity to be in and around many types of military and commercial aircraft, and fly simulators with her Dad, which gave her an even greater appreciation and understanding of aviation and further fueled her interest to pursue an aviation-related career path. Her airport management career began in 1989 and has spanned over 32 years, and is still going strong. 

• Between 1989 and 2003, she worked at the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, operator of San Diego International Airport, in a variety of progressively responsible positions, including and not limited to airport noise and community relations, terminal operations, capital development, tenant relations, marketing and air service development.

• Between 2003 and 2006, she was the Director of Jacksonville International Airport for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, operator of Jacksonville International Airport, Herlong Airport, Cecil Field Airport and Jacksonville Executive Airport at Craig Field. Her role in this capacity was to manage the day-to-day operations and coordinate major capital programs and projects at Jacksonville International Airport.

• Between 2006 and 2011, she worked for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, operator of Reno-Tahoe International Airport and Reno Stead Airport, where she managed large capital programs and economic development, respectively.

• In 2012, she joined the Tucson Airport Authority, operator of Tucson International Airport and Ryan Airfield. She served in multiple roles, including Director of Operations, Senior Director of Operations and Maintenance, Vice President of Operations and Projects/COO, and Vice President of Operations/COO.  She presently serves as the President & CEO. Danette currently serves on the ACI-NA Board of Directors.

Matthew H. Bilsbarrow, RPA

Matthew H. Bilsbarrow is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) who has participated in the National Historic Preservation Act’s Section 106 process in almost every role possible in Arizona. As a consulting archaeologist, he conducted field surveys, prepared reports, and made recommendations for federal agencies. As a planner at the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), he reviewed reports and concurred with federal agencies’ determinations of eligibility and findings of effect. As an environmental planner with Western Area Power Administration, and now the Federal Aviation Administration’s Phoenix Airports District Office, he conducted consultations with consulting parties, made determinations and findings, and carried out treatment measures. Matthew is also a board member with the Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation, where he advocates for preservation and commented on agencies’ plans, and a member of the City of Tempe’s Historic Preservation Commission, where he advises city departments and federal agencies about local preservation issues.  As a former board member with the Tempe Historic Preservation Foundation, Matthew advocated for preservation and commented on agencies’ plans, while as a former member of the City of Tempe’s Historic Preservation Commission, he advised city departments and federal agencies about local preservation issues.

Robert G. Byrne

Robert has been a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for over 20 years.  Robert has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Gonzaga University.  While at the FBI, he has investigated white collar crimes and cases involving international and domestic terrorism.  Robert is an Airport Liaison Agent (ALA) with the Phoenix Division of the FBI.  While serving as an ALA, Robert handles various types of aviation threats. 

Lisa Caselli

• Lisa Caselli serves as an Officer and Program Manager in U.S. Customs and Border Protection, External Engagement and Initiatives Office.  She is responsible for oversight and policy of the Carrier Liaison Program and is a member of the Human Trafficking Blue Lightning Initiative team.  Officer Caselli represents CBP on national travel and tourism issues.  

She oversees the White House Travel Support Team and travels with White House staff and Press Corps on presidential international trips.  Member of the Office of Professional Responsibility National Fact Finder Program as an Agency Fact Finder conducting administrative inquiries.

For 10 years, she was assigned to the Fraudulent Document Analysis Unit and was responsible for oversight and policy of the Fraud Prevention Program and oversaw 428 officers at 197 locations. 

Previously, Officer Caselli served temporarily at Immigration Policy and served as a nationally recognized subject matter expert in the area of Immigration law within the Federal Government. 

She was temporarily assigned as CBP’s Liaison at the Homeland Security Operation Center where she was involved in the DHS response to the London train bombings and Hurricane Katerina.  Chief Caselli began her career with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1997 as an Enforcement Officer at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York before joining the FDAU in 2006. 

She is a graduate of St. John’s University and John Jay Criminal College of Criminal Justice and holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. 

Margie Cerda

Ms. Margie Cerda is currently one of the Grant Manager’s in Aeronautics for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).  Originally born and raised in the State of Arizona.  She is currently exploring further education opportunities within Aviation.  She has worked for the State of Arizona for 25 years (as of Aug 1st)  with a background in Contracts; Accounting; legal services; public relations and professional services in engineering for highway projects.  Margie has worked in Aeronautics for 4 years and her main responsibilities include managing grants for 33 + airports within the State of Arizona; organizing and attending internal departmental meetings for processes and improvement processes; serve as a Liaison for Title VI Civil Rights for Aeronautics Department; develop yearly reporting for legislature's office; traveling and working with Federal Airport Aviation to discuss each airport's five year program.  

Pete Corrigan

Pete is a fulltime employee of the University of Arizona. Pete Corrigan develops relationships with employers seeking to hire top talent for internships and full-time opportunities. For the past eleven years Pete has been helping students develop a thoughtful plan for reaching their career goals and making strategic connections with employers on their behalf. 

Jeremy R. Denhof

Jeremy has 17 years of investigative experience, including 8 years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Jeremy has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Old Dominion University.  While at the FBI, he has investigated various types of fraud cases and terrorism threats.  Jeremy is an Airport Liaison Agent (ALA) with the Phoenix Division of the FBI.  While serving as an ALA, Jeremy investigates various types of aviation threats.

Sarah Demory, A.A.E., ACE

Sarah Demory, A.A.E., ACE is the Assistant Aviation Director for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department leading the Airport Operations, Aviation Facilities and Services, Public Safety and Security programs as well as the teams at Phoenix Goodyear and Deer Valley Airports. Previously, she was the Airport Deputy Director for Operations and Security at the Boise, Idaho Airport leading the Airport Operations, Airfield Maintenance, Custodial and Technology teams at the Boise Airport. Prior to her role in Boise, Demory held numerous progressively responsible positions in Airport Operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Sarah also has experience working at Omaha's Eppley Airfield as well as Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport.

Demory has a commercial pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings and is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). She is also an AAAE Certified Member (C.M.), Certified Airport Security Coordinator, and Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Operations. Sarah has a master of science in aviation as well as a bachelor of business administration in aviation management from the University of North Dakota.

Rod Dinger, A.A.E

Rod Dinger is a Senior Project Manager with ADK Consulting and Executive Search and has been with them since May 2016 performing consulting services and executive searches for the airport industry. Rod retired from the City of Redding in December 2015, after 25 years of service, where his most recent position was Support Services and Airport Director. As the Support Services and Airport Director, Rod had direct oversight of six internal City divisions that included Airports (Redding Municipal and Benton Airpark), Solid Waste, Information Technology, Fleet, Building Maintenance and Purchasing. Prior to his arrival to Redding, he worked at the Long Beach Airport as the Noise Abatement Manager and as an Operations Intern at the San Jose International Airport.  

Since his retirement and while working for ADK, he has served as interim airport manager for five different airports (MVY, ACV, RDD, VCB and CIC). In each case, filling a temporary need while the airport operator was completing their search for a permanent airport manager. He is a 1987 graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics; proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1982 and has been a private pilot since 1976. Rod is an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE).  He is a past-president of both the California Airports Council (ACA) and the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE) and had served 8 years on the AAAE National Board.

Sarah Ferrara

Sarah is an Aviation Planning and Outreach Coordinator for Scottsdale Airport.  She oversees marketing, community outreach, public relations and planning for the airport.  Sarah has been employed with the City of Scottsdale for nearly 26 years, with almost 10 at the airport and prior to that several years with the Communications and Public Affairs Office. Her previous work experience has been in employee, citizen communications, events, and public outreach.

Originally from California, Sarah earned a BS in Speech Communication from California State University Long Beach.  Sarah is a Certified Member of A.A.A.E.

Marci Greenberger 

Marci Greenberger is Manager, the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) for the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. ACRP seeks to identify solutions for airport operators on a wide range of issues, including operations, maintenance, safety and administration.  Prior to joining ACRP, Ms. Greenberger spent over 18 years in operations and senior management positions at airports in Rhode Island, Indiana and California.  Ms. Greenberger is an Accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives, holds a MBA from California State University-Northridge, and earned a BS degree in Aviation Management from The Ohio State University.

Trent Heidtke

Trent is the immediate past president of EAA Chapter 228 serving the greater Mesa area.  He is a lifetime member of Experimental Aircraft Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Commemorative Air Force.  He currently owns and flies a Cirrus SR22 based at KFFZ and is active in the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association.  Trent is also a member of the Arizona Pilots Association and co-lead on the Arizona Passport Program development and rollout.  He has built and/or assisted in building 3 aircraft during the last 25 years and is an IFR rated private pilot. 

In a career spanning almost 30 years, he has also managed business development and consulting practices for Motorola, Control Data, Auxilium, and Parametric Technology Corporation. 

Mayor Honea

Mayor Honea is the third generation of a five-generation Marana family and has served on the council on three different occasions. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Marana as a contractor for 29 years before retiring in 2007.

Mayor Honea is a member of the Pima Association of Governments, including chair in 2014, and the chair of the Regional Transportation Authority. He serves on the executive board of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns and is a member of Arizona Town Hall, Central Arizona Association of Governments, the Arizona Association of Economic Development, the Marana Optimist Club, and Marana Chamber of Commerce. He formerly served on the Marana Health Center and Marana Food Bank boards.

Mayor Honea is a graduate of Marana High School, the U.S. Naval School of Construction, and Pima Community College. He served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War and is a lifetime member of VFW Post 5990 in Marana.

The mayor is an outdoor enthusiast and avid hiker and can be found most days on one of the many trails that run throughout the Marana Community. He has two children and three grandchildren.

Kathryn Kerkhoff

Katie has 19 years of federal investigative experience, most recently as a Special Agent with the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) for the past fourteen years.  Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Accounting emphasis and Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. While at DOT-OIG, she has successfully conducted a wide variety of criminal investigations in areas including fraud involving DOT grants, contract fraud, bid rigging, transportation safety, hazardous materials, motor carrier operators, and CDL program fraud.  Katie is currently located in the Salt Lake City office.

Sandra Kukla, AIA, LEED AP

Sandy is a registered architect with more than 27 years of experience, leading DWL’s aviation division. Her recent airport work includes, Terminal 3 Modernization at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, improvements at Colorado Springs Airport, and Prescott Regional Airport’s new Terminal Building. She is also working on projects at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), Tucson International Airport (TUS), Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Sandra grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, where her interest in aviation began with her help in building the family’s aerobatic biplane. She came to the Southwest to pursue a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of New Mexico. Coming from an aviation family and as a licensed pilot herself, Sandra joined DWL 23 years ago to guide her architectural career towards the design of airport facilities.

Since joining the company in 1999, Sandra has spearheaded strategy and technical shifts across the DWL’s portfolio of design and services. She was also instrumental in establishing the firm’s presence in Ohio and opening DWL’s first office in the Midwest.

Sandra served as Arizona Airports Association’s (AzAA) Associate Director from 2010 to 2012, received the President’s Award in 2012 and 2015, and was recognized as Corporate Member of the Year at the 2018 AzAA Spring Conference for her continued initiative and involvement in the organization. She also serves as a volunteer in various community and professional organizations, such as the AIA’s Women’s Principal Group (WPG), Support Sky Harbor and the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE). On a more personal level Sandra served as president of her neighborhood school’s PTO and has recently joined the Brophy Mothers’ Guild. Her architectural career is balanced with a wonderful, supportive family – her husband, Rob, and son, Hadley.

Ayla Linder

Ayla is an Air Force Combat Veteran, having served most recently at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. Following her career in The United States Air Force, Ayla worked for two years for Arizona Coalition for Military Families (ACMF) in the capacity of a contractor, copy editing, managing, and uploading partner profiles/resources. Having enjoyed her role as a certified resiliency leader in the USAF, Ayla continued to seek avenues of service within social services within Tucson. She found a fulfilling role with AmeriCorps, as a Community Resource Liaison. Ayla excelled at making connections with various Tucson non-profits and local businesses, further broadening the reach of The Community Schools Initiative at Higher Ground. Ayla simultaneously gained proven experience within the federal sector in the satellite Internet industry by managing a $500k prime vendor contract for three years providing high-speed Internet to geographically separated military bases around the world for her family’s small business. Ayla is now the Program Manager of Career Navigation and Employer Engagement at ACMF, working diligently with program partners to provide end-to-end support for all career seekers and employers. She and her husband own and operate a local fine carpentry business in Tucson as well. Ayla has a B.S. in Entrepreneurial Studies at GCU and is currently attending graduate school to earn her M.S. in Leadership. 

Annie Jay Lutes, M.A., M.S.

Annie Jay Lutes is an archaeologist, architectural historian, and project manager with over 15 years of professional experience conducting cultural resources inventories, testing, and data recovery in the Southwest. She currently serves as the Cultural Resources Team Lead for SWCA Environmental Consultant’s Flagstaff office, where she provides her expertise in both cultural resources management and historic preservation.

Annie is a Michigander through and through, having been born and raised in the Traverse City area before attending the University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree in Classical Archaeology. GO BLUE! She holds an M.A. from the University of Arizona in Near Eastern Studies where she studied Arabic and considered a career with the Central Intelligence Agency (just ask her about the CIA background check process, it’s crazy). Annie also holds an M.S. from Northern Arizona University in Applied Geospatial Sciences where her thesis research focused on impacts to archaeological sites resulting from high-severity wildland fire. She currently resides in Flagstaff, Arizona where she spends her free time exploring the trails in and around the San Francisco Peaks and points beyond.

Kristi Miller, C.M.

Kristi is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Business Administration. Upon graduation, Kristi has spent over ten years working in both private and commercial sectors of aviation before relocating in 2018 back to her hometown of Prescott to work for Prescott Regional Airport. In her current position as Airport Services Manager, Kristi is responsible for overseeing Airport Administration including an annual operating and capital budget of over $12M, property management, air service development, capital planning and grant management. Since her arrival in 2018, she has managed nearly $50M in federal and state grants, including a combined total over $12M in grants towards completion of a new commercial service passenger terminal. 

Additionally, Kristi was responsible for the marketing campaign, Fly Prescott 10K in 2018, encouraging passengers to fly out of Prescott to achieve 10,000 enplanements, qualifying PRC to achieve Primary Commercial Service status. Kristi recently achieved Certified Member, credential through the American Association of Airport Executives.

Ryan Reeves

Ryan was recently named Airport Manager at Chandler Municipal Airport. Prior to his promotion he was the Business Manager at Chandler.  Before joining the City of Chandler, he spent two-years as the Airport Coordinator of Buckeye Municipal Airport and 10-years as General Manager of the Lux Air Jet Centers FBO at the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport.

Born into a General Aviation family, he took his first ride at age three and is an aircraft owner. He began managing aircraft line service at FBO's and aerial application operations in 1995. Outside of aviation, Mr. Reeves has instructed at both the high school and university levels and served as an administrator for program and course development. Mr. Reeves is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and has a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he is in the process of completing his private pilot’s license. He is the President of the Phoenix Wing of the American Aviation History Association, as well as vice-president in the Arizona Aviation Historical Group, fostering a dedication to research and preservation of aviation’s heritage. He is a member of the Eighth Air Force Next Generation Association, the Foundation of the U.S. Air Force Museum, the Foundation of the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Arizona Aerospace Foundation, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and a former docent at the Pima Air & Space Museum, as well as a public lecturer on a variety of aviation historical subjects. He is currently conducting research for a text on the history of Naval Air Facility Litchfield Park and a book on the heritage of U.S. flight crews in WWII.