Maggie Covalt, P.E.

Shawn Christian

Located in Kimley-Horn’s Phoenix office, Shawn Christian has 12 years of experience in Human Resources and currently supports Kimley-Horn as a Regional Human Resources Manager. His broad knowledge and background spans many HR functions including strategic planning, counseling, development of policies and procedures, employee relations, workforce planning and development, compensation, benefits, and talent acquisition.   

Shawn is originally from Phoenix and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management at Arizona State University and holds a Professional in Human Resources certification.  Shawn’s hobbies includes spending time with his wife and two daughters as they prepare to welcome their third daughter in September 2023!

Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett

I’m deeply committed to Flagstaff and have spent more than 20 years creating good public policy, protecting open space, enacting smart growth strategies, supporting local businesses, and strengthening support for the arts and education throughout northern Arizona.

My guiding principles have always been—and will continue to be—focused on inclusivity, thoughtful decision making, generosity of spirit, hard work, and honest conversations. I won’t duck the difficult decisions and I will always do what I think is best after careful consideration and investigation. 

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.

Tiffany Domingo

Dana Donati

Dana Donati is the CEO of United Aviate Academy and responsible for the strategic direction, vision, growth, and performance of the Academy.

As a seasoned aviation professional with more than 20 years of aviation experience, Dana is known for maximizing operational excellence and delivery performance.  She most recently served as the General Manager and Director of Academic Programs at LIFT Academy, a Republic Airways Company, where she led the startup of a Part 141 certificate, the approval of two Department of Labor Apprenticeship Programs and the onboarding of over 700 flight academy students.  Prior to joining LIFT Academy, Dana was the Dean of Aviation at the Community College of Beaver County.  She has held various positions such as Assistant Chief Pilot, First Officer and Captain type rated on the Dash 8 Q400 and the Embraer 170/175 190/195 with Republic Airways.

Dana holds an MBA in Aviation and Leadership from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Robert Morris University in Aviation Management and an Associate degree from the Community College of Beaver County in Professional Pilot. She has served as a member of the FAA Women In Aviation Advisory Board, a member of the CCBC Foundation Board and a member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Board of Nominations.

Ed Faron, A.A.E

Since 2013, Ed has served as the Airport Manager of Phoenix Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. He began his career in the aviation industry at a general aviation airport in San Jose, CA where he served as the manager of fueling operations at an FBO during his college years. He then made the transition from general aviation to commercial aviation when he accepted a position at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. At Sky Harbor, he served in increasingly responsible positions in various divisions within the organization, including Airport Operations, Business & Properties, Administration, and Facilities & Services. Ed earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation from San Jose State University, is an Accredited Airport Executive through the American Association of Airport Executives, is a past President of the Arizona Airports Association, and is an instrument-rated private pilot.

Jessica Grizzle, ACE

Jessica Grizzle joined Safe Skies in 2006 and serves as the Program Manager for the Program for Applied Research in Airport Security (PARAS). She oversees all aspects of the program, including Problem Statement submission and selection, Project Panel compilation and facilitation, contractor selection, project oversight, and publication of the final deliverables.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Corporate Finance and Investments and a Master of Arts in Communication Management – Alternative Dispute Resolution. She is also an Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Security with the American Association of Airport Executives.

Bradley Hagen, A.A.E.

Bradley A. Hagen joined the City of Phoenix Aviation Department as Airport Manager of Phoenix Goodyear Airport on April 17, 2017. Hagen has more than 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. He most recently worked as the Airport Projects and Operations Supervisor for Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona.

Phoenix Goodyear Airport is home to fixed base operator Lux Air Jet Centers, as well as United Aviate Academy, a wholly owned flight school for United Airlines, and AerSale, an aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul facility. Phoenix Goodyear Airport is one of three airports owned and operated by the City of Phoenix, in addition to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Phoenix Deer Valley Airport.

Prior to working at Falcon Field, Hagen held various other aviation roles including serving as the Airport Manager for the Waterloo, Iowa Airport, Airport Manager for the Rapid City, South Dakota Airport, Airport Manager for Fort Dodge, Iowa Airport, and working in airfield operations at Luke Air Force Base.

Hagen is an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE), a member of AAAE and AzAA, and has a private pilot’s license. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Iowa. Hagen also served as the Past President of the Arizona Airport’s Association (AzAA).

JJ Hegenauer

JJ graduated from Embry-Riddle Prescott in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science and a minor in Applied Meteorology. He earned all his ratings through Embry-Riddle Prescott and began working as a flight instructor in the Fall of 2018.

In 2020, he entered the safety office as the Assistant Aviation Safety Program Manager, most recently serving as Team Safety Lead. While he continues to serve as a flight and standards instructor, JJ is the Director of Aviation Safety conducting the Aviation Safety Program for the College of Aviation. With the help of the Aviation Safety Program Manager and three Team Safety Leads, JJ coordinates with and assists the Flight Training Department in the development, implementation, and maintenance of aviation safety programs. The purpose of which is to preserve human, material, and financial resources while maintaining maximum operational effectiveness.

Barney Helmick, A.A.E.

Shea Joachim

Shea joined the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority (PMGAA) in February 2016. As the Business and Economic Development Director, Shea oversees most revenue-related activity at the Airport including the management of over 600,000 SF of existing facilities, ground transportation operations, rental car operations, and concessionaire opportunities. In addition, Shea and his team are tasked with prompting the development of roughly 1,000 acres of vacant, airport-owned property with the intention of creating high-wage jobs and generating revenue to support airport operations.

Prior to joining PMGAA, Shea worked for the City of Mesa in the Economic Development Department for nine years. During his tenure in Mesa, Shea was successful with many business attraction and business retention activities which resulted in hundreds of millions in capital investment and the creation of thousands of jobs in Mesa.

Prior to working for the City of Mesa, Shea spent five years in the financial services industry in California and Arizona. Shea earned an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Pomona College

Rex Jorgensen, ARM

Rex joined the Alliant Insurance Services team in 2018. He has over 25 years’ experience in commercial property & casualty and employee health insurance including: insurance and re-insurance program consulting including: design, broking, marketing, board level presentations, public relations services, and program execution. He has also been active with alternative risk financing solutions such as captive insurance companies and self-insured pools. 

Currently, Rex is an account executive with Alliant’s Public Entity practice, managing carrier negotiations, data analysis, coverage review, presentations to C-suite, as well as coordinating ancillary services to clients including claims consulting, loss control services, surety, appraisals, and various specialty projects.

Jordan Lovelace

Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge, Jordan Lovelace has worked for the United States Government since 2006.  The first seven years of his career were spent with the United States Air Force (Air Intelligence Agency) as a Polygraph Examiner with deployment to two warzones to assist in the Global War on Terrorism. He served with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJOSTF) at an advisory capacity and as a polygraph examiner and Subject Matter Expert (SME) of deceptive behavior. After completing two tours with the Air Force/National Reconnaissance Office Polygraph Management Branch, CIA Detachment, he transferred to Customs and Border Protection where he served as a Special Agent in a polygraph capacity running polygraph exams to determine suitability of applicants and current employees who protect our nation’s borders. Upon completing one tour with Customs and Border Protection he transferred to the United States Postal Inspection Service to become a criminal investigator.  With USPIS being a small agency, he had the opportunity to work a variety of cases and was considered the Subject Matter Expert on Interviews and Interrogations as well as robberies and burglaries garnering multiple accolades and awards from the US Attorney’s Office and Postal Management.  He spent 8 years with the Postal Inspection Service and moved to an even smaller agency to help with the global mission related to transportation and all its components.  As an Assistant Special Agent in Charge in the field, He currently supervises a team of Special Agents investigating fraud, waste and abuse related to DOT programs and modes.

Tom Noon

Tom Noon is currently the CEO of Leopard Aviation, LLC a Flight School at Falcon Field Airport. He is also the founder of Raintree Aviation, LLC. He has a background as Division/Regional President and COO of D.R. Horton, Inc. in Forth Worth, Texas. Prior to being the Division President of Shea Homes in Walnut, California.

Tom obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois and his Master in Business Administration from Stanford University.

Corinne Nystrom, A.A.E.

Corinne has been employed in the airport management profession for over 36 years.  She is the Airport Director at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona and is currently serving as the President of the Southwest Chapter American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE).  Corinne previously served as the Airport Manager in Grand Junction, Colorado and as President of both the Arizona Airports Association and the Colorado Airport Operators Association.  She also served on the Colorado Aeronautical Board following her appointment by the Governor of Colorado.  Corinne graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in human resources and transportation management.  She is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) through the American Association of Airport Executives. 

J. Brian O'Neill, A.A.E.

J. Brian O’Neill is Executive Director/CEO of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority (PMGAA). He is responsible for all administrative and operational functions at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. He previously served as PMGAA’s Deputy Director/COO.

Prior to joining PMGAA in September 2015, Mr. O’Neill spent twenty years at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire; the last eight years as its Deputy Airport Director and twelve years as its Assistant Airport Director – Air Service Development, Marketing, and Public Relations.

Mr. O’Neill received a BS in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. He is also an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) with the American Association of Airport Executives.

Paul Patane

Paul Patane serves as the Multimodal Planning Division Director, supporting the statewide transportation network from planning to programming. He oversees Aeronautics, Asset Management, Corridor Planning, Grant Coordination, Planning and Programming, Research, Transit and Transportation analytics. He joined ADOT more than 40 years ago and has worked in many areas of the agency, most recently as the Southwest District engineer. 

Paul has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Arizona.

Matt Robertson

Matt Robertson joined the FAA, Air Traffic Organization’s Planning & Requirements Group in 2009 following a ten-year run in private industry providing program and project management support to a wide range of industries.  Matt is currently a Lead Planner on the NAS Planning Team, and is a key entry point and liaison connecting airport project stakeholders and Airport District Offices with FAA engineering and technical support, often enabled through the development of Reimbursable Agreements.

Maria Robinson, MLS

Maria Robinson is the Risk Management Director for the City of Flagstaff in Northern Arizona. She has more than 20 years in the industry and has previously served as the Safety Manager for the City of Tucson and the Occupational Medical Manager for Pima County, both in Southern Arizona. Maria draws upon her experience to build relationships, offer mission-oriented solutions, and help others get to “yes” whenever possible. She is described by her organization as “invaluable” to the team. Maria earned a BSBA from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management and her Masters of Legal Studies in Compliance and Legal Risk Management from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. Maria and her husband have three children, and in her spare time, she enjoys traveling, watching mindless TV, and hanging out with her family and her two dogs, Brownie and Luna (who’s “just the baby”), traveling and playing poker. 

Edward Rose

Edward started his career in the U.S. Air Force; he won’t say how long ago…next he secured a job as an Airport Maintenance Mechanic at his hometown airport, Hudson Valley Regional. After a few years of full-time work and full-time studies, he advanced into airport management as Director of Airport Operations and later as the Airport’s Director. Edward led teams on a myriad of improvement projects. After 33 years, he departed New York for an Operations Manager position at the Sedona Airport. Shortly after arriving Edward was made Sedona’s Interim Airport Manager and subsequently, the Airport Manager. Edward has served state aviation organizations in the past. He has gone through the Chairs of the New York Airport Manager’s Association representing the Port Authority of NYNJ, the Capital District Transportation Authority, and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority as well as numerous other Airports in the state. As NYAMA President, he leads a team that worked, successfully, to establish a state aviation grant program.

Edward advanced a number of projects during his career touching on almost every aspect of airport operation. Some of the more interesting projects have been: regrading and recapping of an abandoned landfill/Superfund site; over 330 acres of tree obstruction removal, including EAs and Supplemental EAs, endangered species habitat and land set-asides; relocation of a congregation/historic church and chapel from Part 77 intrusion (this included SHPO coordination, dismantling and rebuilding on a new foundation); and establishing a new turf runway for taildragger practice. In Sedona, his first action was to develop a Water Master Plan to address needs identified in the Airport’s Master Plan. Next, improve drainage features adjacent to the runway. Third, replacement of an aging fuel storage facility.

Edward is also on the Board of Directors for the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. He is a big believer in staff development and have educated staff on offerings through AAAE.

Frank Sanderson

• APS Northern Division Director
• 16 years with APS
• Leadership in Transmission and Distribution across Arizona
• Journeyman Electrician and Certified P&C Technician
• Notable Activities
• Incident Commander during APS deployment to Puerto Rico
• Heavy focus in internal Leadership Development
• Lead Metro Distribution for 4 years
• Certified Reliability Leader through Association of Asset Management Professionals

Chris Schmaltz

Chris Schmaltz is Vice President & General Counsel of the Tucson Airport Authority (TAA). He serves TAA as General Counsel and supports as Vice President the Procurement department and the Office, Records and Warehouse team at TAA. He has been with TAA for 7.5 years, first joining TAA as Deputy General Counsel, and then becoming General Counsel in October 2019. Chris also is on TAA’s government affairs team, coordinating and advising on all legislative and policy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels. Before joining TAA, he was a Member of Gust Rosenfeld’s Public Law group, where he served as the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport outside counsel for 6.5 years.

Leah Whitfield

Leah Whitfield is the majority owner, President and Senior Aviation Planner of The Aviation Planning Group. She co-founded APG in January of 2020 after serving as the Aviation Practice Lead for a civil engineering firm. Prior to becoming a consulting Leah worked as Airport Manager of the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport and Projects and Programs Manager of the Casper/Natrona County International Airport. Leah holds two degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is a Certified Member of AAAE, and an ACE in Operations. Leah currently serves as the Chair of the Committee on Aviation System Planning (AV020) for the Transportation Research Board. Her work as a consultant has spanned coast to coast on projects such as master plans, siting studies, aviation system plans, airfield design projects, sustainability plans, and most recently in Advanced Air Mobility. Her firm has a partnership with Volatus Infrastructure, a vertiport infrastructure firm, where she has sited vertiports for both public airports and private businesses.