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Conference Speakers |
Jean Marie Rieck, M.S., QAWB, CEI
As an environmental consultant, Jean Marie has managed projects for municipalities and counties, private clients, and nearly every federal land management agency with a presence in the western United States and Hawaii. Several of her recent planning or NEPA projects have been both large and contentious, involving extensive stakeholder/public involvement and agency/tribal/Native Hawaiian consultation. As a wildlife biologist with extensive experience and training surveying for rare and threatened and endangered (T&E) in the Southwest, Jean Marie is comfortable working in nearly any western ecosystem. She also has a wide variety of recent experience conducting Waters of the U.S. delineations and wetland delineations in Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona. As an FAA Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist, Jean Marie has conducted wildlife studies and helped Part 139 and General Aviation airports to manage wildlife hazards in Arizona, California, Utah, and Nevada. Dr. Sarah J. Nilsson, Esq.
She began her pilot career in 1994 and has run a flight school at a local high school magnet program, flown cargo aircraft, and business jets, having been typed in a Citation. She holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate in multi and single engine fixed-wing airplanes, a gold seal flight instructor CFI, CFII, MEI, a small UAS or drone pilot certificate and a TRUST certificate. She also holds North Carolina’s Division of Aviation UAS Operators Knowledge Test Certificate of Completion. In Canada, she holds Transport Canada’s Pilot Certificate in Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Visual Line-of-sight (VLOS). Sarah holds UK’s Drone and model aircraft certificate in A1 & A3 Open Subcategory. Mike DiCosola
Jack Penning Jack is a leader in air service development and strategic business planning. In 2017, he joined three other partners in founding Volaire Aviation Consulting. Since that time, Volaire has worked for more than 110 airport clients throughout North America, including Tucson, Safford, and Bullhead City in Arizona. Jack is the consultant of record for airports as large at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson alongside airports seeking their first scheduled airline service. Jack’s business cases for new service have led to the initiation of more than 150 new routes. In his 25 year career, he has won more than $20 million in funding for air service development projects, both at the federal and state level. He also works with local businesses and community organizations to develop local funding for air service projects. Jack’s community development efforts have netted more than $30 million for enhanced air service. By nature of his work, Jack is proud to say that he can live anywhere in the world, and he and his wife choose to live in the beautiful Catalina Foothills, north of Tucson. | Timothy McCulloch
Nicolas Zart
With over 20 years of experience in electric mobility, Nicolas Zart is a leading consultant and journalist in the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry. As the founder of Electric Air Mobility, LLC, he specializes in developing infrastructure solutions that encompass vertiport planning, energy management, and integration of air traffic systems. His firm partners with key stakeholders to implement sustainable and scalable AAM networks tailored for both urban and regional applications. Nicolas also hosts The Ways We Move podcast, where he delves into conversations with innovators and thought leaders shaping the future of transportation. His journalistic work has been widely published, providing insights into the evolving landscape of electric and advanced air mobility. At the 2025 AzAA "Dutch Bertholf" Spring Conference, scheduled from April 27 to 29 at the Hon-Dah Resort Casino and Conference Center in Show Low, Arizona, Nicolas will contribute as a panelist, sharing his extensive knowledge on AAM infrastructure and energy solutions. His participation will offer valuable perspectives on integrating advanced air mobility into existing airport frameworks and the broader transportation ecosystem. Jake Tomlin Jake Tomlin has been passionate about aviation since he was five years old. Today, he channels that passion into his role as President and CEO of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines (GCSA), where he works alongside three generations of his family. With over 20 years of experience in professional aviation, Tomlin's background spans both the Department of Defense and the commercial air tour industry. Before joining Papillon and GCSA, Tomlin served for 11 years in the United States Marine Corps as an officer and F/A-18 pilot. His extensive experience includes management roles in personnel, quality assurance, safety, aircraft maintenance, flight training, and flight operations, both domestically and internationally. Tomlin is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the National Park Overflight Advisory Group (NPOAG), Vertical Aviation International (VAI), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and has completed Heli-Expo’s Helicopter Operator Management Course. He earned his degree in Systems Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. |
Matthew Munden
Ashley Peters
Ashley Peters supports business development efforts for Sundt Construction’s Southwest Building Group, where she plays a key role in identifying strategic opportunities and cultivating client relationships across Arizona. She began her career in the construction industry in Oregon, working in the estimating department of a general contractor. There, she gained firsthand knowledge of how projects are priced, planned, and executed—laying a strong technical foundation for her future in business development. Ashley went on to support marketing and business development initiatives for a variety of firms in the commercial real estate and construction sectors, giving her a well-rounded perspective of the market landscape and its key stakeholders. Her expertise lies in crafting and implementing strategic business development approaches, offering clients and industry partners valuable insights rooted in market intelligence, strategic thinking, and differentiated value propositions. Ashley is passionate about helping clients navigate alternative delivery methods to achieve more efficient, collaborative, and successful project outcomes. | 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. Patrick Heaton
Jeff Webbe, C.M., ACE After serving 20 years on the Phoenix Police Department, Jeff launched a second career in Aviation Management. His experience includes 10 years as a supervisor, two years overseeing operations of the Phoenix Police Department’s Air Support Unit, two years as an entrepreneur, and most recently, spent the last few years managing the Buckeye Municipal Airport. Jeff recently received his Airport Certified Employee (ACE Operations) Certification, is a Certified Member (CM) in the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and is in the third and final phase in achieving his Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) designation. Jeff is also a pilot, holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate, and is a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII). Jeff holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. |
Conference Moderators
Ed 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. | David Reffner |
Cameron Atkins Cameron is currently the Airport Manager for Safford Regional Airport. In his current role, Cameron has been responsible for creating new value for the community through the untapped value of the airport, driving a rapid period of growth. Prior to taking his current role, Cameron worked for Williston Basin International Airport in North Dakota. Cameron is also a member of the Army Reserves and currently serves as an intelligence officer. Cameron holds a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ in Aeronautics. | Scott Rinkenberger |
Sarah Demory | Jacob Allen |
Mike O'Shaughnessy | Ryan Reeves |