Gladys Brown, C.A.E., C.M.

Gladys Diva Brown, C.M., C.A.E. is the Airport Director at Yuma International Airport (NYL) and the small rural airport in the City of San Luis known as Rolle Airfield (44A - Aux 4). Yuma International Airport is co-located with the MCAS Yuma and is a Shared Use airport with a Joint Use Operating Agreement.  Ms. Brown’s primary function is to operate the airport in compliance with applicable FAA regulations and state law, as well as, to maintain the positive relationship with Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, and to promote Commercial Air Service and General Aviation in a safe and secure manner.

Under the leadership and guidance of Ms. Brown, Yuma International Airport is the recipient of the 2021 and 2015 Arizona Airport of Year, which is awarded and recognized by the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group.  Gladys received the California Maritime Academy 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award, she is featured in Cal State University “Made in the CSU” as one of the notable CSU Alumnus in the Aerospace and Aviation , the Southwest American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE) 2017 Executive of the Year, the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) 2017 Airport Executive of the Year, recognized as one of aviation’s best and featured as one of the brightest in the 2017 Airport Business 40 Under 40, and the 2017 Yuma Chamber of Commerce Athena International Award recipient.  In 2022, Ms. Brown will be featured in the Arizona’s Most Intriguing Women 2^nd Edition Book, highlighting 48 Women Leaders in the State of Arizona.

Prior to becoming the Airport Director, Ms. Brown was the Deputy Airport Director and originally joined Yuma International Airport in March 2009 as the Director of Operations. In addition to the duties of the positions she has held, Ms. Brown was the airport project manager overseeing all engineering, cost estimating and construction at the airport. Ms. Brown worked previously in various capacities as a Civil Engineer, Mechanical & Electrical Integrity Consultant and a High School Math Teacher.  

She earned her Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the California Maritime Academy accompanied with a United States Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer License. Ms. Brown obtained her AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) designation, is an active member of the Southwest AAAE chapter and is recognized as a Certified Airport Executive (C.A.E.).  Ms. Brown is a Past President of the Arizona Airports Association and continues to support the one voice approach for key issues in aerospace and aeronautics for the State of Arizona, and regionally serves on the Board of Directors as the 2^nd Vice President for the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE).  Ms. Brown is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business  at Arizona Western College.

Ms. Brown volunteers in the STEM/AVID curriculum, sits on the Board of Directors for Cal State Maritime Academy Foundation (CMAF) and is the External Relations Committee Chairman, Yuma 50 Board Member, a founding member of the Naval Sea Cadet Committee Yuma Sea Eagles Squadron, Past Chairman for United Way of Yuma County, participates in the Expect More Arizona through the Yuma County Education Advisory Council, member of the Yuma Education Foundation, assist with the annual competitive mathlete competition ‘MathCounts’, participates assisting in various youth sport teams, coaches youth basketball and officiates basketball.  Ms. Brown has a strong commitment to her community, believes in mentoring to help build leadership for tomorrow and leads to inspire through passionate forward movement.  She is a proud mother of three boys but has a beautiful blended family of six children.

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.

Kyler Erhard

Kyler Erhard has over 15 years of aviation experience. Kyler joined the FAA in 2012 as a community planner in the Phoenix ADO and had been in the role of Lead Program Manager from 2017-2023. In June 2023 Kyler moved into the role of assistant manager in the ADO. Over the course of his career with the FAA, Kyler has participated in multiple Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) projects, graduated from the Federal Executive Board Leadership Program and has worked with sponsors to complete planning studies at a variety of airports. 

Kyler also currently teaches Airport Planning and Design courses at Arizona State University

Kyler holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Airport Management from the University of North Dakota and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Cary Grant

Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Air Force (retired)

United Airlines (retired)

Associate Professor Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Arizona

Mr. Grant has over 46 years of flying experience and more than 20,938 hours as a military flight instructor, examiner pilot, and commercial pilot.  In 1981, after serving four years on active duty, pilot slots, scarce in the Air Force following the end of the Vietnam War, became available, and Cary began his military flying career at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. He remained in Arizona as an Instructor Pilot in the Cessna T-37B, then moved on to fly the Lockheed C-141B strategic airlifter throughout the world, while based out of McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey.  Following that assignment, he was selected to fly the Air Force version of Gulfstream’s G-III, the C-20A, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, providing airlift support for distinguished political and military leaders. The highlight of his career was providing airlift support to General Norman H. Schwarzkopf from Riyadh Air Base, Saudi Arabia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  In addition to his leadership positions in the military, he volunteered as the Chief Safety Officer for the Ramstein Air Base Aero Club, an organization with over 100 members and 12 aircraft. He also served as President of the Kaiserslautern Flyer’s Association, a private citizen flying club in the Kaiserslautern, Germany community.  Ending a 20-year career in 1997, he retired from the Air Force after serving on the NATO staff. He then embarked on a second career as a Flight Officer for United Airlines based out of Los Angeles, California flying the Boeing 737.  In 2002, he transitioned to the Airbus A-320, based in San Francisco and ended his 22-year airline career retiring as a Captain on the Airbus.  Since retiring from United, Cary has embarked on his third career as an Associate Professor of Aerospace Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical university in Prescott, Arizona.  Cary grew up in Arizona, graduated from Canyon del Oro High School, in Tucson, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and a Master of Science Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  He owns a 1957 Piper Tri-Pacer which has been converted to a tailwheel configuration to challenge his stick and rudder flying skills and maintain humility. He enjoys exploring backcountry strips, flying with the local EAA (Experimental Aviation Association) Chapter 538 Young Eagles program where school age children get to experience the thrill of their first flight, and flying for the Sky Kids organization giving flights to children with special needs.   He volunteered to assist in the 2015 long-term plan for the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, the nation’s busiest general aviation airport. He is President of the Arizona Aviation Safety Advisory Group, an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Safety Team Lead Representative conducting quarterly Certified Instructor Pilot Forums and flight safety presentations throughout the state of Arizona, and currently has two flight students.   The Arizona Pilot’s Association has awarded Cary the prestigious Ruth Reinhold Award and he has been selected twice as Arizona’s FAA Safety Representative of the Year.   The General Aviation Awards Committee recently named Mr. Grant as the 2024 National FAA Safety Representative of the Year.

Patrick Heaton

Patrick Heaton is currently serving as Kimley Horn’s lead planner on the 2024 Arizona Statewide Land Use Manual (ALUM). In his five years of aviation planning experience, Patrick has worked on planning projects with more than 15 airports in Arizona and statewide projects around the country, including the 2021 Arizona Aviation Economic Impact Study.  

John Hunter

John is the Director of Airfield Services for the Skidabrader Group.  John has 20+ years of airfield pavement maintenance experience in sales management, contracting, manufacturing, and distributor supply chain networks.  The Skidabrader Group is a global leader focused exclusively on improving the safety of friction critical pavements.  John works extensively with airports, consultants, and agencies on pavement maintenance projects from design phase to project execution with the goal of developing long-term pavement maintenance strategies.  Working in the various business segments allowed John the understanding that the airfield pavement maintenance construction sector is a small group, and building industry relationships is a key to success. Skidabrader headquarters are located in Fort Worth.  John lives in the Oklahoma City area. 

Mayor of Yuma, Doug Nicholls

Douglas J. Nicholls is the 27th Mayor of Yuma. He is a civil engineer, a business owner, husband, father, and is fully committed to serving the people of Yuma. He has been reelected twice and is currently serving his third term. Mayor Nicholls spearheaded 4FrontED, a board comprised of local leaders from Arizona, California, Sonora and Baja California that aims to boost the region’s global competitiveness. He led the launch of the Elevate Southwest initiative to bring greater higher education opportunities to the greater Yuma region, with greater collaboration between higher education and existing and future workforce needs. Mayor Nicholls is President of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns, serves on the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Council, on the Arizona Commerce Authority Board of Directors, the Governor’s Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing, the Arizona Military Affairs Council, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Board of Directors, the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and the Amberly’s Place Board of Directors. Mayor Nicholls and his wife Danette have raised their family in Yuma. He is President and Owner of Core Engineering Group, a civil engineering and land surveying firm. He believes the best way to serve in local government is to listen to the needs of Yuma’s residents and families. You can reach out to the Mayor via email at Douglas.Nicholls@YumaAz.gov with any questions, comments or concerns.

Dave Reffner

David Reffner has been the Airport Manager at the KCGZ – Casa Grande Municipal since June 2018. His primary duties include planning and directing the daily operations of a busy general aviation airport; developing short and long term planning and goals for the Airport; promoting airport development through marketing and development of airport policies and procedures. He also works on ACIP preparation and presentation and grant/project management. He coordinates with FAA, ADOT and other agencies on Airport and Air Transportation matters and has been affiliated with AzAA since 2015.

Prior to working as an Airport Manager, David was the Airport Operations Technician for the KCGZ – Casa Grande Municipal from August 2012 to June 2018. He worked on the management of airport lease agreements and was the acting FBO operations. David is ACE Fuel Safety Supervisor Certified and NATA Safety 1st Professional Line Service Technician.

David is also a Reserve Firefighter II/EMT/SRT and has been since September 2013. He provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the citizens of Rural Pinal County. He is Firefighter 1 & 2 certified and is a certified Arizona DHS Emergency Medical Technician.

David currently attends Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is in the Aviation Business Administration Program. He previously attended the Central Arizona College from 2013 to 2014 in the Emergency Medical Services Program. He also holds a Business major and Fire Science minor from Northland Pioneer College.

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.

Brian Sommerfeldt

Brian Sommerfeldt is the Airbase Operations Controller & Airbase Services Manager for Perimeter Solutions, overseeing the coordination of personnel and equipment essential for supporting aerial fire operations at approximately one hundred full-service airbases and bulk bases across North America. Brian has more than 20 years of experience in aviation, fire and finance. He started his career at Perimeter Solutions in 2011. Before transitioning to Airbase Operations, he served as Financial Controller for River City Fabrication and First Response Fire Rescue, both of which were acquired by Perimeter Solutions in 2019. Brian holds an MBA, as well as a bachelor's degree in finance. He lives in Arizona with his wife and three children.

Colonel Jared Stone

Jeff Tripp, A.A.E., ACE

Jeff is currently the Airport Manager for Cottonwood Municipal Airport and has worked in airport management since 1996 after graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott) in a number of positions at Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa-Falcon Field, and Prescott as well as several out of state airports. He has been an accredited airport executive since 2006 and previously served on the AzAA Board between 2004 and 2011 including a term as Association President in 2009-2010.

Rocco Terracciano

Rocco Terracciano is the Tonto National Forest Aviation Officer ( Chief 4) . He is also the AOBD Air Operations Branch Director on IMT Team 1. He comes from the San Bernardino National Forest , where he started in 1990 on the engines. He worked on the Vista Grande hotshots, engines, dispatch and prevention. He was detailed in Jackson Hole and also the Angeles NF. His aviation experience is on the Type 3 helicopter with helitorch and PSD, Type 2 rappel ship and the T1 helicopter manager on the San Bernardino . He is a regional and local instructor for aviation courses and RT-130. He brings vast knowledge and experience with dispatch, special uses, engineering, budget and finance , recreation , resources and serves as an AOBD /ASGS on SWCC Team 4. Roccos family is from Chicago , but he was born in Los Angeles. He has two young children Brooklyn age 9 and Carmichael age 6 and his wife Jessica. Rocco is actively involved with charities and family/ youth volunteerism and was vice president of the SABA , the Social Activities Benefits Association on the BDF, which raises money for employees in need , along with small local charities.

Matt Tomasson

Matt Tomasson is an Airport Planning Project Manager at Armstrong Consultants, bringing over a decade of experience within the airport and aviation industry. Matt’s journey in aviation began at Arizona State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Air Transportation Management. Prior to joining the Armstrong team, Matt’s professional experience included roles with Mesa Airlines and the Scottsdale Airport. In addition to his academic and professional accomplishments, Matt is also a licensed private pilot, giving him unique insights into the operational challenges and opportunities within the aviation industry. In his current role with Armstrong, Matt focuses on all facets related to airport planning in Arizona and throughout the southwest U.S., including airport master planning, airport layout plans and capital improvement programming.