Aviation Management Associates has extensive aviation domain experience. The staff is comprised of many former executives from both government and industry that have strong operational and organizational skills and experience supporting a broad agenda of operational research and management.
Aviation Management Associates is widely recognized for its expertise, innovation and insight in developing aviation visions supported by concepts of operations and use. Aviation Management has demonstrated credentials in developing, documenting and validating system architecture and functional requirements that serve to baseline all types and natures of aviation systems.
Additionally, Aviation Management Associates expertise includes experience in developing and analyzing business cases as well as successfully developing transition strategies and executing transition plans for the insertion or migration to new organizations, policies, technologies, systems, procedures or processes.
A strong organization bias toward operational research and management enables Aviation Management Associates to successfully provide a broad range of performance analyses and validation with supporting analytical modeling and simulation capabilities and tools.
Aviation Management Associates primary staff is backed up with a cadre of technical experts from fields including meteorology, engineering, physics, mathematics, statistics, avionics, and human factors among others.
In many cases Aviation Management Associates has applied these skill sets to assist many individuals and organizations in crafting successful business marketing and development efforts within the aviation domain.
Drew Bedson: Flight Operations and Airmen Training
Mr. Bedson has over 30 years and 12,500 flight hours of professional experience in aircraft flight operations. Mr. Bedson’s experience ranges from airline captain, flight instructor and check airman for Ransome Airlines to Director of Operations for Pan-Am Express and Trans World Express responsible for Flight Operation and In-flight Services. Mr. Bedson also worked as Vice President of Operations Support for AI(R) American Support and British Aerospace Regional Aircraft prior to accepting a position as Senior Vice President for Air Operations for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a Delta Airlines Commuter. Mr. Bedson’s numerous accomplishments include: the development of advanced simulator programs for the ATR 42, DHC-7 and BAe 3200; the development, certification and operational deployment of FMS/MLS curved approaches; and factory test pilot for the Jetstream 4100 Series ATR 42 and ATR 72. Mr. Bedson graduated with a BS in Technical Services in Aviation from TA Edison College and completed graduate studies in Management from Trenton State College.
Steve Carver: Information Security
Mr. Carver’s career while in the Federal Aviation Administration included various positions in EnRoute, Terminal and Flight Service NAS facilities as well as in FAA regions, and headquarters. Mr. Carver, as the former Information Security Manager for the Federal Aviation Administration, was responsible for all of the information security programs within the FAA critical National Airspace System (NAS) infrastructure. This included the security accreditation and certification of all new and ongoing NAS systems - operational, support and research. His responsibilities in this position also included review of NAS architecture for enterprise mitigation, assuring that the NAS met its FISMA goals through certification and authorization processes, reviewing Intelligence information and reporting possible implication to the Air Traffic Organization, Chief Information Security Officer, NAS Operational VP, NAS COO and the DOT Secretary. Prior to assuming this responsibility Steve managed real-time risk of all FAA air traffic control operational systems.
Mr. Carver attended Old Dominion University as a Business Major before receiving training in the Department of Defense Electronic Apprenticeship Program and the FAA Certification Program. He has completed training in the Information Systems Audit and Control Association’s Information Assurance Program as well as completed Master Degree Courses from the Information Resource Management College of the National Defense University. Steve also possess numerous FAA certifications, including Chief Information Security Officer and Information Security Auditor.
William Cotton: Air Traffic Control System Development / Flight Operations
Mr. Cotton is known worldwide as the “Father of Free Flight”. As the director of all air traffic control and flight systems related efforts at United Airlines, Mr. Cotton managed numerous projects from concept through development and implementation and has been a key innovative participant in many industry activities to bring new aviation technologies to fruition. While well known for his visionary leadership, Mr. Cotton is also pragmatic and understands the complexities of certification and approval of aviation systems and the politics of those who provide funding; the regulators, the stakeholder unions and the airspace users. He is skilled both technically and with people, and has extensive experience building consensus among disparate interests.
Mr. Cotton worked with Flight Safety Technologies, Inc. (AMEX FLT) to create and manage the company’s strategy for developing its air safety technologies. This included creation of the concepts of operation, the operational design of its safety systems including the patented Unicorn ground proximity and collision alerting system, and the Aircraft Wake Safety Management system for increased airport capacity.
As the Manager of Air Traffic and Flight Systems, United Airlines Mr. Cotton was responsible for all of United’s input and interaction with air traffic service providers, worldwide, from local facility to top management level. He was also responsible for the specification of cockpit equipment for new aircraft purchases and upgrade retrofits of cockpit equipment for safety improvements and navigation and communication efficiencies. This involved running a large department with responsibility for program development, program management, personnel issues, hiring and termination. Specific accomplishments under Mr. Cotton’s leadership included: (1) the creation of the ICAO Future Air Navigation Systems concept and getting it approved by the Air Navigation Commission; (2) the creation of the Free Flight concept for air traffic management and getting it accepted by FAA and developed through RTCA; (3) the establishment of the National Route Program at FAA; (4) the approval and implementation of Reduced Vertical Separation Minima in the North Atlantic and Pacific Regions of ICAO; and (5) the creation, FAA and ICAO approval, and implementation of FANS-1 for data communications and GPS-based RNP navigation in the Asia Pacific Region.
During Mr. Cotton’s tenure at United he oversaw and led a number of notable industry achievements including: (1) achieving ICAO and Member State approval of RNP 10 (Required Navigation Performance), lateral separation standard in the Pacific; (2) achieving establishment of new routes over the Russian Far East between North America and Asia, and Polar Routes across Russia and China; (3) achieving the first certification of an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System in a transport aircraft and approval for full fleet implementation; (4) achieving approval for full fleet implementation of Predictive Windshear weather radar systems. Bill was also involved in creating new approach criteria and achieving a funded program for installation and operation at SFO on closely spaced runways as well as creating and delivering testimony to Congressional Committees on aviation issues related to air traffic control systems, their performance, and flight safety.
From 1995 to 2000Mr. Cotton was concurrently Chairman of the Board, ATN Systems, Inc., where he led a Washington-based consortium of the eleven largest U.S. Airlines in carrying out a cooperative agreement with FAA to create the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network. In addition, Mr. Cotton has been a member of the National Academy of Sciences select committee on the future needs of air traffic management; RTCA Free Flight Implementation Steering Committee; RTCA Free Flight Implementation Select Committee, Inception - 2200 and the Air Transport Association, Flight Systems Integration Committee, Air Traffic Management Committee, and Alliance for Safety.
Mr. Cotton honors include a 2006 NASA award for contribution to the Autonomous Operations Planner, Pro Pilot award for pioneering efforts on Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), Aviation Week and Space Technology Laurels Award for Pioneering Work in Aircraft Situational Awareness Systems for safety and the RTCA Chairman’s Award for Sustained Service on Free Flight Select Committee. Bill is a 1964 graduate of the University of Illinois with a BS Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Gary R. Church: Aviation Operations Support/ Business Development Support (Chief Executive Officer)
The President of Aviation Management Associates, Inc. is an active licensed instrument rated pilot, former air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration, and past Manager of Air Traffic Control for the Air Transport Association. Among his many aviation activities, Mr. Church is an active professional member of the Air Traffic Control Association and the Aero Club of Washington where he was Membership Chair and Trustee. Further, Mr. Church served as the Chairperson of the Airway Science Research Advisory Council of Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Church majored in physics and minored in economics at the University of California, Berkeley and Indiana University, Bloomington.
Pat Forrey: Workforce Policies and Plans
As a result of Pat’s proven leadership skills he was elected President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association from 2006 until 2009. During his tenure his responsibilities included NATCA National President and Chief Executive Officer where he managed over 50 employees with an annual budget of $20 million. He was chair of all Executive Board meetings and Biannual Conventions and he prepared annual budget requests. In addition to these executive and administrative responsibilities he was the primary Congressional lobbyist and has testified on a variety of safety topics on behalf of 20,000 aviation safety professionals and was responsible for address the media and negotiating collective bargaining agreements for 19 bargaining units in the public and private sector with the Federal Aviation Administration.
In addition to his NATCA duties, he was selected to serve on the AFL-CIO’s Political Committee, which developed Union involvement in industry through participation in RTCA, the NGATS Institute, ATMAC and other forums.
While NATCA President he negotiated an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) with the FAA to further address the needed change to a safety culture in the FAA. He established a mentorship program for newly hired air traffic controllers and other safety professionals to assimilate and educate them on their profession. Mr. Forrey received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1983 from the Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a trained Air Safety Investigator, Arbitration Advocate, Classification and Compensation Expert and trained in Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) and numerous other related Conflict Resolution techniques.
Bob Frenzel: Airline, Cargo and Legislative Support
Mr, Frenzel has a history of dynamic and performance driven leader delivering impressive contributions to business, personnel, financial and legal analysis as corporate legal counsel. As a dedicated corporate leader and perceptive researcher, he is capable of reducing loss and liability for both individuals and industry leading corporate clients. Bob has proven proficient ability to manage cross-functional teams, while mentoring internal resources. He is also adept at fostering long lasting relationships with congressional committees, government agencies, executives, and project managers.
From 1998 to 2000 Mr. Frenzel served as Senior Vice-President of Safety and Operations for the Air Transport Association (ATA) and oversaw direction of four Vice-Presidents tasked with technical duties including safety, air traffic control, flight operations and maintenance and engineering. Organized and led industry teams in the creation of FAA and DOT positions and policy. He also served as an instrumental chief industry advocate for airline safety and operations and testified before Congress on critical airline safety issues and FAA budget and funding requests.
Prior to joining ATA bob was Vice-President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs where he directed aviation, customs, electronic commerce, international trade, labor, transportation, and UPSPAC affairs. Bob worked closely in partnerships with House and Senate committee members and staff, as well as Administration departments, including DOT, FAA, NTSB, State, Commerce, Customs, and USTR. Bob also has experience is supervising activities of outside counsel and consultants. Mr. Frenzel was appointed to participate in trade negotiations on GATT, WTO, NAFTA, and APEC and trained UPS managers in government affairs activities and advised UPS operations on status of EU legal and regulatory initiatives.
Mr. Frenzel’s experience also includes managing FAA Part 121 certification of 92 aircraft, 700 pilots, and 300 mechanics in less than one year. He oversaw the recruitment and hiring of flight operations management personnel. Facilitated arbitration and was involved with the National Mediation Board while advising and supporting UPS Labor Group regarding the Railway Labor Act. He also assisted UPS international operations in filing for global aviation and operational authority.
Shawn Friesen: Technical Support (Director of Contacts and Administration)
Mr. Friesen has experience as a program analyst supporting the AEGIS shipbuilding budget and STANDARD Missile contracts. He later went on to train in Information Technology at Chubb Computer Services. After completing training he began working at E-Commerce Industries, Inc. where he managed the installation and maintenance of e-Commerce platforms and Mobile Computing software. Mr. Friesen is a graduate of the University of Miami where he received a Bachelors of International Finance & Marketing.
Ira Gershkoff: System & Operations Analysis Support
Mr, Gershkoff has over 25 years experience in airline operations and IT, in positions ranging from analyst to VP. He Invented patent-pending technologies to improve airline schedule efficiency and is a recognized leader in streamlining processes to improve performance, with a smooth transition from the old to the new. Recent work has resulted in patent-pending technology to vary airline schedules in response to fluctuations in demand. Benchmark tests show profitability improvement of tens to hundreds of millions of dollars for major carriers. Ira was winner of Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Science Foundation and applied the technology to additional applications for air taxi and air charter services. (Formerly JIT Airline Resources LLC). Previously Mr. Gershkoff provided strategic IT consulting services examined costs/benefits/risks of transitioning a Point-of-Sale system to a centralized application model, resulting in long-term savings of $2 million per year in network maintenance costs. He has also evaluated crew scheduling procedures for four airlines; recommended process changes resulting in expected savings of up to $2.5 million annually.
From 1994 to 2000 Mr, Gershkoff was Vice President of Sabre System and led the team that developed a state-of-the-art operations control center for a major Chinese airline. Resulting design was the first to integrate all key elements of system operations control into a single suite of applications; project has now become a template for implementation at other airlines around the world. Mr Gershkoff also served as Vice President, Applications Development and managed a department of 115 programmers and analysts. Ira instituted rigorous project management methodology for tracking department workflow. Analyzed long-term architecture options for migrating from a mainframe-based system to a client/server environment, including transition issues and costs. From 1991 to 1994 he was a Director at American Airlines and managed a department responsible for monitoring operations performance and working across organizational lines to get problems resolved. He oversaw benchmarking studies of performance relative to competitors and re-set internal performance standards based on those benchmarks. Undertook consolidation of multiple databases through corporate data warehouse, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual savings of data center expenditures. Prior to joining American Airlines Ira was Manager, Corporate Research & Development for United Airlines with a responsibility for a crew scheduling system for 18,000 crew members. Mr. Gershkoff received a B.S. and M.S., Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1974 prior to joining ARINC Research as an engineer.
Mr. Gershkoff has had numerous published technical articles and had been often referenced in trade press these include: “Removing ASMs from the Trash Can”, Op Ed in Aviation Daily, October 13, 2006; “Walking the Tightrope: Even when budgets are tight, companies still need to foster a culture that embraces process improvement”, CIO Update, April 2004; “Out with the Old, In with the New”, Business Integration Journal, December 2003; “Improving On-Time Performance and Dependability” (with Peter Berdy), in Handbook of Airline Operations, Gail F. Butler and Martin R. Keller, eds., McGraw-Hill, 2001; “An Approach to Just-in-Time Airline Scheduling”, in Operations Research in the Airline Industry, Gang Yu, ed., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 1998; “A Hybrid Scheduled/Charter Framework for Long-Haul Air Service,” in Handbook of Airline Marketing, Gail F. Butler and Martin R. Keller, eds., McGraw-Hill, l998; and “The Crew Schedule Optimization Problem”, Interfaces, August 1989 among others. Ira sits on the Board of Directors, MIT Enterprise Forum (2007 to date); is a member, Vistage International (2005-2007); and Chairs, Technology Executives Networking Group, Los Angeles and Washington, DC Chapters (2003-2006). He has completed Six Sigma Executive training through General Electric (2000) and has served as Chairman of AGIFORS Crew Management Study Group (1988-1991).
Karl Grundmann: Aviation Business Development Support
Mr. Grundmann has 31 years experience with the Federal Aviation Administration focusing in the field of air traffic control. Karl began his career as an air traffic control specialist working at both military and civilian facilities from the Sacramento Executive Air Traffic Control Tower to the Southern California TRACON. He was heavily involved in controller workforce issues from 1983 until 1993 when he moved to Washington, DC as the workforce liaison to the Air Traffic Requirements Organization and later to the FAA Free Flight Program Office. During this period, Mr. Grundmann demonstrated exceptional ability to build consensus and successfully collaborate on a variety of technical programs.
This successful experience led to a position as a NASA employee to provide a liaison between NASA and the FAA from 1999 to 2003. This was followed by his NASA role as the Director of Partnership Management and Communications to the JPDO in Washington, DC until 2007 where he again demonstrated his strong interpersonal skills, innovation and leadership. His recognized accomplishments then led to a management position at Boeing Phantom Works, Advanced Air Traffic Management, developing long range business strategies and plans as well as work teaming and partnering opportunities and agreements. Karl received further business development, marketing, sales and contract proposal experience with Raytheon until 2010.
Karl is both well known and well liked in air traffic control circles and commands the respect of his peers from air traffic controllers in the field to top air traffic control management in Washington, DC.
Michael J. Harrison: Aviation Engineering Support
As former Director of Architectural and Systems Engineering for the Federal Aviation Administration, Mr. Harrison was responsible for the development of the FAA's $10 billion to $18 billion capital investment plans to execute strategies for aviation transportation investments. In addition, Mr. Harrison provided leadership and long-term business planning for the FAA in various management capacities, with emphasis on planning, research, systems engineering, and engineering development. With extensive experience in aviation, from flight operations to air traffic management and airport operations, much of Mr. Harrison's experience has been in systems engineering for development of requirements, transition strategies, program planning and execution, and defining new operational concepts in aviation. This includes experience in technology assessment, feasibility, safety risk assessments, measures of performance, architectures, systems integration, and consensus standards development.
Doug Helton: Aviation Technical Policy and Plans Support
Mr. Helton has over 25 years of aviation industry experience providing expert domain knowledge of aircraft and air traffic control operations, technologies and plans and programs. Mr. Helton’s previous experience includes enhanced vision system marketing and sales, coordination of engineering, manufacturing, management and customer priorities and initiatives for ADS-B, GPS-WAAS and data link products and services, and Vice President of Air Traffic Services and Technology for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association leading a professional staff focused on government air transportation policy, plans, programs, procedures and technologies. Mr. Helton holds a BS Degree in Air Commerce/Flight Technology from the Florida Institute of Technology as well as certificates from the University of Southern California in Aircraft Accident Investigation and Kansas City University in Aircraft Certification and Airworthiness in addition to Management Courses from the American Management Association. Mr. Helton is a Commercial Instrument Pilot and Flight Instructor with over 1,000 hours of flight time.
Richard Kramer, PhD: Aviation Technical Programs
Dr. Kramer recently retired as Director of Business Development for CSC Federal Sector, where he provided business development leadership in two important U.S. Government Accounts the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Commerce including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dick has extensive background in developing business and designing solutions for the FAA infrastructure especially in the areas of networking, data communications, telecommunications and network management. He has also worked extensively in Aeronautical Information Management, Flight Services and Aviation Weather.
Prior to assuming his role in Business Development Dr. Kramer held a series of increasingly responsible positions in technical and program management. As Engineering Director for the Aviation and Weather Business area in DynCorp/GTE he was responsible for the development and implementation of the Aeronautical Information System (AIS) for the FAA as well as the enhancement of the Direct User Access Terminal Service. As Director of Research and Development for GTE, he developed enhanced capabilities in Network Management, Network Modeling and Information Systems Security.
Prior to that Dick was heavily involved as an FAA support contractor in the design of the current National Airspace System operational backbone network, including NADIN 1 and NADIN 2. He was a contributor to the inaugural Official National Airspace System Plan, Interfacilities Communications Section.. Dick has written and presented many informal presentations and white papers on Integrated Network Management, Network Architectures and Protocol Design Tradeoffs. He has been a member of the IEEE Communications Society for 30 years
In Dr. Kramer’s earlier career he served on the faculty of the Pennsylvania State University from 1972 to 1980 where he taught mathematics and published a number of mathematical research papers in the field of Partial Differential Equations. He earned his Ph. D. degree in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania, and his B. A. cum Laude, in Mathematics, from Fordham University.
Bob Lilley, PhD: Aviation Navigation Support
Doctor Lilliey has provided considerable management and technical experience in advanced navigation and position location systems. He has contributed to navigation/position evaluation, test, operations, system integration and national/international navigation policy. Recently, his leadership of the program to demonstrate the benefits of magnetic-field aviation antennas for Loran-C in weather operations has led to reconsideration of the system as a backup or alternative to GPS. Dr. Lilley is Director Emeritus of the Avionics Engineering Center, Ohio University, earned his Ph.D. at Ohio University and is an instrument-rated commercial pilot. He was awarded the Medal of Merit by the International Loran Association (ILA) for contributions to the Loran-C program. He is an ILA past-president and long-time member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Lilley was awarded the FAA's first Excellence in Aviation Award in 1997.
Bob Long: Aviation Maintenance and Engineering
Bob is an incredible client resource with more than 34 years of FAA experience in FAA ATC maintenance. Mr. Long spent over 20 years as an FAA field manager at numerous FAA facilities and offices. The last 8 years of his FAA career were spent as a Senior Executive as Airway Facilities Program Manager and Deputy Director of the FAA's Airways Facilities Service. Mr. Long's accomplishments included Co-chairing the NAS Configuration Board, which established and maintained the baseline configuration for over 25,000 FAA facilities, developing the ATS business model for the ATO's Technical Operations Organization for financial and management accountability, developing national emergency plans and procedures, and directing NAS modernization efforts for fielding new equipment, systems and facilities in the national airspace system. Mr. Long, as a qualified engineer, majored in physics at the University of Nebraska and graduated from the Federal Executive Institute. In addition, Mr. Long has authored a number of published papers and possesses a top secret security clearance.
Doug Powers: Air Traffic Control Operations
Mr. Powers is a former air traffic control system manager with wide ranging air traffic control operational and management experience. Before leaving the Federal Aviation Administration he served as a special assistant to the FAA ATO Vice President of Terminal Services as well as to the FAA ATO Vice President of System Safety. Prior to this assignment Doug served as Manager of the FAA’s Great Lakes Region Requirements Branch, Resource Management Branch and System Management Branch. Further, Mr. Powers served as Special Assistant to the Regional Director as well as FAA ATO Division Manager. Prior to this broad management experience, he was an active air traffic controller and Manager at many of FAA’s busiest and most challenging facilities, including Chicago O’Hare TRACON, Minneapolis Air Traffic Control Tower and TRACON, Detroit Air Traffic Control Tower and TRACON as well as the Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center. Mr. Powers has a B.S. Degree from the University of Illinois and 3,000 hours of flight time with single and multi-engine aircraft as an instrument rated commercial pilot.
Randy Kenagy: Aviation Technical and Policy Support (Director of Technical and Operational Client Support)
As a former Vice President of Regulatory Policy at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) in Washington, DC, Mr. Kenagy focused his extensive technical knowledge and skills on effectively advocating aviation technical and policy agendas for communication, navigation, surveillance, spectrum management and unmanned aircraft systems with the Federal Aviation Administration. During his thirteen year tenure with AOPA he led the association’s policy on all communication, navigation, and surveillance issues, developed and led association policy on New York Aviation Rulemaking Committee, provided analysis and support for association advocacy on FAA reauthorization, coordinated numerous public technology demonstrations for legislative and aviation policy leaders and facilitated association demonstration flights of new technologies, and successfully established an RTCA Special Committee focusing on unmanned aircraft. In the areas of navigation, communication and surveillance Randy led efforts to develop policy and recommend changes to White House Policy on Space- Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (satellite navigation). He developed policy on necessary changes to small general aviation airport design standards to ensure maximum use of satellite navigation systems, he also developed advocacy strategy for WAAS LPV approach proliferation, served on the FAA’s NEXCOM Aviation Rulemaking Committee, and represented association policy that on the use of ultra-wideband technologies and on spectrum issues, including the use of mobile phones on aircraft. In addition, Mr. Kenagy, coordinated and wrote association response to ADS-B mandate proposal, and led RTCA Safe Flight 21 working group to broad industry consensus and support for the FAA’s Joint Resource Council (JRC) decision to implement ADS-B.
Mr. Kenagy is an experienced multi-engine Air Transport Rated Pilot with over 2,400 hours fo total flight time. He earned an Associates Degree in Aviation from Hesston College, Hesston, Kansas and subsequently graduated with a BS Degree from the Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Randy has received training certification from the Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Airspace and Procedures Design, Obstruction Evaluation, and Terminal and En Route Procedures.
During his tenure in Washington, DC he was a member of the RTCA Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee, FAA ADS-B Aviation Rulemaking Committee and JPDO Joint Integration Council. He also served as Co-chairman of RTCA SC-203 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS/UAV), Chairman of the RTCA Safe Flight 21 Working Group (ADS-B work group), Chairman General Aviation Working Group for Performance Based National Airspace System Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee. Randy is a Six Sigma White Belt.
Louis G. Selk II: Avionics Systems Support
Mr. Selk possesses significant experience and knowledge of aircraft approach guidance systems including GPS and RNP RNAV; product specification, design and application; development, certification and support of navigation and flight management systems; customer communication, training, and satisfaction; and industry participation
From 1998 to 2002, Mr. Selk worked at Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Systems as a Principal Systems Engineer, flight Management Systems, Business Regional and Helicopters. He defined, developed, tested and certified enhanced navigation solutions for corporate and airline aircraft. As lead engineer for flight management systems on business and regional jet aircraft, Lou applied new concepts to solve difficult navigation problems, particularly in his field of specialization, which is approach guidance systems. He received a patent for an RNP performance display 2005. Lou attended industry conferences to promote external communication; participated in the definition of aircraft certification requirements and navigation committees under the FAA (TAOARC and PARC), ICAO, RTCA, NBAA, ARINC, Regional Airlines Association, and the International Air Transport Association. He participated in drafting FAA Order 8260.52 and AC90-101.
Prior to joining Honeywell he was employed at Honeywell Sperry Flight Systems, Business and Commuter Aviation Systems Division as a Principal Customer Support Engineer. He was a Product Engineer and Manager of FMS navigation database product, including coordination of data supplier specifications and contract negotiation, inter-divisional coordination of database processing, satisfaction of engineering development requirements and support of aircraft certification activities. Lou created Pilot Manuals, System Maintenance Manuals, and Installation Bulletins. He developed flight-planning software Communications and Training, provided customer pilot training and participated in NBAA and Operator Conference activities since 1985. He trained flight crews and maintenance personnel in the use and support of GPS, inertial and FMS systems. Here he also obtained first FAA certified STC of GPS approach system on Part 121, scheduled air carrier aircraft as well as assisted in development of first GPS approach to an airport in an obstacle-rich environment. His industry involvement includes being a member of AEEC, Systems and Architecture Integration Subcommittee, ARINC 424 Working Group, member of RTCA Special Committee 157 for User Selectable Navigation Databases, member RTCA Special Committee 181/EUROCAE WG-13, advisor to International Air Transport Association on ICAO Obstacle Clearance Panel, Member Dornier 328 MSG-3 team.
His education includes attending the following establishments Southern Methodist University where he obtained his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University gaining his degree in Business Administration, and FAA Academy for FAA Terminal Instrument Procedures Design (TERPS) RNAV/GPS/LORAN Approach Development.
Alexis Stefani: Aviation Budgeting and Compliance
Ms. Stefani has a wide range of expertise in Federal transportation programs with special emphasis in aviation; financial management and budgeting; auditing and evaluation; and quality assurance activities. Her capabilities include program, cost and functional analysis to devise strategies, solve problems and recommend solutions; project planning; advising and monitoring program and legislative activities; and training in audit and evaluation processes.
As the former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs, she provided leadership and guidance on a variety of transportation budgetary and programmatic issues including development of the aviation reauthorization proposal, annual Departmental budgets, disaster response activities, the physical relocation of the Headquarters staff, and special task forces to solve problems or devise policy. She has had twenty-five years of progressive and diverse experience in leading complex and sensitive audits of diverse Department of Transportation functions including financial management, major acquisitions, transportation and information security, aviation and highway safety, major public infrastructure construction projects, air traffic operations, organizational governance, cost accounting, and human resource management. Also, experience in setting policies for large Office of Inspector General organizations and 15 years experience in managing budgets for offices of various sizes.
Ms. Stefani’s government career includes employment with the Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and General Accounting Office. She was recently Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary. Prior to this position she was Assistant Inspector General for Auditing for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General and Principal Assistant Inspector General for Auditing and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT),
Alexis’s awards include a Presidential Rank Award, the Secretary’s Partnering for Excellence Team Award, and the Secretary’s Award for Exceptional Public Service. Ms. Stefani attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government (1999) and graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland after receiving her Bachelor of Science as an Accounting Major from the Pennsylvania State University.
Tom Styc: Aviation Business Development Support (Chief Operating Officer and Director of Business Development Client Support)
Mr. Styc started his career as an air traffic controller in the Air Force, holding several positions as ATC facility chief, and Director of ATC operations for five major Air Commands. After the Air Force he worked as a systems engineer supporting FAA projects and then as Program Director for several contracts, supporting FAA activities in acquisition and program implementation. Tom has had over 17 years with government program and contract management and two International contracts in Airport Communications design and ATC infrastructure upgrades. Mr. Styc further has senior executive experience in the commercial sector managing operations in multiple corporate divisions with responsibilities for systems engineering, training and simulation, learning technologies, and telecommunications support services for FAA, US Treasury, Army, Navy, USMC, AF, and several International corporate clients.
James Tauss: Aviation Weather Support
Mr. Tauss is experienced as a systems engineer with primary focus on weather-related air traffic control systems and supporting architecture. In addition, he has a comprehensive background with FAA and NOAA Meteorological Systems Engineering Management, Test and Evaluation, Specification Compliance, Systems Acquisition, Requirements/Functional Analysis and Definition, Policy, Meteorological Systems Commercial Definition and Applications, and Meteorological Training. Mr. Tauss received his BS in Physics from Adelphi University in 1982 as well as his BS in Earth Science from Adelphi University that same year. Mr. Tauss completed graduate studies in Meteorology at the University of Maryland.
Becky Umbaugh: Aviation Business Development Support
Becky has had extensive experience with configuration management automation for NASA as well as technical planning for FAA terminal and en route automation programs. She was involved in the FAA D-BRITE program in addition to the ARTS IIIE program where she supported the development of the risk analysis and re-planning activities used until program completion. As the Program Control Chief, Ms. Umbaugh's responsibilities included financial and program planning and execution as well as administration of the FAA's automated master schedule system database. In 1996, Ms. Umbaugh joined Unitech as the Manager of Business Development where she managed all DOT-related opportunities for the company. She continues to be a facilitator for various FAA initiatives including the 1998 Strategic Plan, the development of the Acquisition Management System's COTS/NDI requirements, and numerous team building and organizational development sessions. She has been a speaker at the FAA's General Council Acquisition Reform, FAA Small Business Conferences and Small Business Advocacy symposiums. Ms. Umbaugh serves on numerous ATCA committees. In 2003, she was elected as Director at Large for the ATCA board of directors.
William Umbaugh: Aviation Business Development Support and Program Management
Mr. Umbaugh has more than 30 years of experience managing multimillion dollar programs for the FAA employee and industry. His program management expertise encompasses such areas as project planning, engineering, systems analysis, project tracking, quality control, management of personnel and subcontractors, budgeting and forecasting, and administration. Past FAA assignments included Program Manager, Branch Manager, Division Manager, and Deputy Integrated Product Team Lead, where he was responsible for programs from concept development to implementation.
Prior to his program management and business development career Mr. Umbaugh was Deputy Director of the FAA Air Traffic Management (ATM) Integrated Project Team and managed a team acquiring automation systems for optimizing airspace utilization. He directed integrated product team with 150 members, including engineers, computer scientists, analysts, testers, logisticians, contracting officers, air traffic controllers, and others engaged in research, design, development, testing, and implementation of automation systems to improve the capacity of the NAS. These systems included Traffic Flow Management (TFM), Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS), Departure Sequencing Program (DSP), and others, with budgets approaching $1 billion, improved gate-to-gate air traffic movement efficiency. Bill also has experience as an FAA Division Manager, Branch Manager, Program Manager, Systems Engineer and Technician. During his FAA career he was Manager for En Route Automation and Automated Flight Service Station Branches; Dep. Manager, ATC Automation Division; and Manager, Automation Engineering Division responsible for acquisition and implementation of ATC automation systems for en route, terminal, oceanic, traffic flow, and flight services. Mr Umbaugh has detailed experience with a number of FAA systems including, En Route NAS Programs such as the Central Computer Complex (CCC), Display Channel Computer (DCC)/Computer Display Channel (CDC), Radar Data Acquisition System (RDAS), Direct Access Radar Channel (DARC) and Automated Flight Service System (AFSS). Mr Umbaugh has also maintained air navigation systems including VHF Omni-directional Radio Range (VOR), Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN), Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Radar Microwave Link Repeater (RMLR) systems.
Mr. Umbaugh has a B.S. in Management/Engineering from the National-Louis University (1997) and an AEE, Electronics Technology Certification from Pennsylvania State University (1959), an SEI CMM System and Software Engineering Certification from Litton PRC. He has completed the following training courses from the: FAA Executive Development School, FAA Software Acquisition for Managers, FAA Utilizing Human Resources, Strategic Plans & Executive Leadership, Implementation & Results, OPM SES CDP, Total Quality Management Facilitator, ODI, Trail Boss Program, (Acquisition), GSA and VOR, TACAN, Systems Engineer Flight/Radar Data Processing (FDP) & (RDP) Systems.
Dottie Wilkins: Administrative Support
Ms. Wilkins has over 41 years executive level administrative, budget, and analyst experience with the Federal Government and private industry. She began her career in 1962 as a secretary with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, then the Office of Economic Opportunity and finally with the Department of Transportation. She spent the last 14 years of her federal career in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation where she was Secretary, Office Manager, Management Analyst and Budget Officer to the Assistant Secretary for Administration. After retiring from the government in 1998, Ms. Wilkins went to work for UNITECH at the FAA utilizing all her senior executive assistant skills to support the Operational Support Directorate.
Aviation Management Associates, Inc.
Staff Personnel