Session 1: Welcome and Introduction
Dawoud Stevenson, A.A.E.
GAA President
Senior Director of Program Management, Savannah Airport Commission
Mr. Stevenson is the Senior Director of Program Management at the Savannah Airport Commission. In this role, he oversees the Airport’s IT, Parking, Ground Transportation, and Procurement. Additionally, he serves as the Commission’s DBE Liaison Officer, managing the Airport’s DBE and ACDBE programs.
Born in Illinois and raised in Michigan, Mr. Stevenson served eight years in the United States Army as a Communications Systems Specialist. After his military service, he earned an Associate of Science in Information Technology from ECPI College of Technology. He later graduated from Savannah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Technology (2014) and a Master of Business Administration (2020).
Since joining the Airport in 2010, Mr. Stevenson has played a pivotal role in identifying and implementing new technologies to advance the Airport’s long-term operational and strategic objectives. He holds certifications as a Certified Member and an Airport Certified Employee in Operations and Security from the American Association of Airport Executives.
Mr. Stevenson is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the Airports Council International-North America, the Georgia Airports Association, the Technology Association of Georgia, The Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island, and the Tourism Leadership Council Board of Directors.
Welcome to Savannah
Michael Owens
President/CEO
Tourism Leadership Council of Savannah
Michael began his lifelong career in the hospitality industry while growing up in Atlanta and he made his home in Savannah over 20 years ago. For a decade, Michael worked for HLC Hotels, a local Savannah Hospitality company. At HLC, Michael was charged with overseeing the operations of multiple properties. In 2012, he was hired as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Leadership Council. He and his distinguished board of directors lead the largest trade organization representing the tourism and hospitality community in Georgia.
Michael was appointed to serve as a permanent member of the Tourism Advisory Committee. He serves on the executive committee of The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and is vice-chairman of EmployAbility. He is chairman of the Savannah Technical College Programs Advisory Committee and is a member of the advisory board for the Hospitality and Food Industry Management program at the University of Georgia in Athens. He serves as chairman and founder of the Savannah Police Foundation as well as chairman and founder of the Coastal Hospitality Education Foundation. He is a board member of The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire.
He is an active supporter and volunteer for The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, The Savannah Harbor Foundation, Coastal Hospitality Education Foundation, and Autism Speaks.
In 2020 Michael and his wife, Amanda, founded Grace Autism Services, which provides therapy services to children on the autism spectrum throughout Georgia. His wife was appointed by Executive Order to the Board of Directors of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities by Governor Brian Kemp. In their spare time, they like to dream about what they would do if they had spare time.
Session 2: Legislative Session
Rep. Rick Jasperse
(R - Jasper) 11th District
House Transportation Committee Chair
(R - 23rd District)
Rep. John Lahood
(R-Valdosta) 175th District
House Appropriations Transportation Sub-committee Chair
Rep. Brian Prince
(D - Augusta) 132nd District
District Chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee
Rep. David Jenkins
(R-136th District)
Senator Max Burns
(R - 23rd District)
Edward Lindsey
Parker, Parks, Chesin & Walbert, P.C.
Edward Lindsey has been a leader at the intersection of law, government and business for four decades. He concentrates his practice on business litigation and government litigation, including commercial disputes, contract matters, government contracts disputes, bid protests, regulatory matters before Georgia’s administrative agencies and public policy advocacy at the state and municipal levels.
After graduating from Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts, Edward received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1984 and has practiced before state courts and administrative bodies throughout Georgia, building a reputation for translating deep legal knowledge into effective government engagement on behalf of clients.
Edward’s career spans both the courtroom and the halls of government. Prior to joining Parks, Chesin & Walbert, he served as a partner in Dentons’ Regulatory, Public Policy and Government Affairs practice, where he counseled clients in the transportation, infrastructure, health care and education sectors on their most critical legal and policy challenges. He also served a decade as a Georgia State Representative and three terms as House Majority Whip, with committee assignments spanning Appropriations, Judiciary, Education, Ways and Means and Rules. He additionally served on the Uniform Law Commission and the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.
Edward’s dual expertise in law and government has earned him consistent recognition at the highest levels of the profession. Chambers USA has ranked him Band 1 in Government Relations: State & Local (Nationwide) for 2023–2025, and Legal 500 lists him as a Recommended Lawyer in Government Relations. Best Lawyers in America has recognized him in Product Liability Litigation every year from 2013 through 2026, and Atlanta Magazine has named him a Georgia Super Lawyer continuously since 2005. James Magazine recognized him in 2020 as one of the Most Influential Politically-Connected Attorneys in Georgia and as a top registered lobbyist in the state. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce has honored him as Legislator of the Year, and he holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the profession’s highest peer review designation for legal ability and ethical standards.
Edward lives in Atlanta and remains deeply engaged in Georgia’s civic and business communities.
Session 3: Telling your Airport Story/ Working with Local Government
Lori Walderich
Airport Branding & Marketing Specialist, Aviator, Author
IdeaStudio Branding & Marketing
Lori Walderich is the first—and only—branding and marketing expert focused primarily on general aviation airports. With more than 30 years of experience, she is the owner of IdeaStudio Branding & Marketing, where she helps small and mid-sized airports define their value, strengthen their brands, and communicate their importance to stakeholders and communities.
Lori is also the author of From Idle to Iconic – Ideas to Help Small Airports Thrive, a practical guide to helping airports improve perception, build relevance, and generate long-term community support.
As an aviator and regular user of general aviation airports, Lori brings a valuable pilot’s perspective to her work. Her firsthand understanding of airports, combined with decades of branding expertise, gives her unique insight into how airports are experienced, perceived, and positioned for success.
Known for her practical, authentic approach, Lori is committed to helping general aviation airports increase their impact and thrive.
John Howard
Mayor of Monroe, GA
Mayor John Howard moved to Monroe in 1970, when he was six months old. His father, Barney Howard, actually lived in the Walton County Jail, while his grandfather was Sheriff of Walton County, so they decided to raise their family in Monroe.
John attended George Walton Academy from 1974 – 1988.
He attended the University of Florida from 1988 to 1993, Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance.
After college, for six years, John was on the development team at Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida. Lakewood Ranch is currently the third fastest growing Master Planned Community in the United States. Just before his first daughter turned one, John and his bride, Julie, moved back to the great state of Georgia in 2000.
John is an owner of Pinnacle Advertising Specialties (with his father, brother, and sister). He has two daughters, ZK (27 years old) and Anna(25 years old), and has been married to Julie for 28 years. The family lives in Monroe just a stone’s throw from John’s childhood home.
John is in his ninth year as Mayor and is a standing ex-officio member of the Walton County Board of Health, Walton County Chamber of Commerce, Walton County Development Authority, and is a member of the Georgia Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Council, GMA’s Board of Directors, Northeast GA Regional Council, and Ambassador to Georgia City Solutions.
Session 4: Airport Roundtable
Session 5: AI at the Airport: What it Pays For, What it Exposes, and Building one live
Joseph Bonanno
Co-Founder & President
Archetype SC
Joseph Bonanno is the co-founder and president of Archetype SC, a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina technology consultancy whose tagline, "we do complicated.", reflects more than a decade of solving hard operational problems for airports and other regulated organizations. Archetype SC's airport work began at Myrtle Beach International Airport, where a request to measure TSA wait times became A2 Analytics, a patented sensor and machine-learning platform later deployed at Savannah/Hilton Head International to track passenger flow, baggage claim, and landside congestion. Today the firm delivers managed IT, cybersecurity, and AI solutioning for airports, healthcare, construction, and other critical-infrastructure clients, helping them adopt new tools without widening their attack surface. Joe has presented and exhibited at the Allegiant Airport Conference, SEC AAAE, the Florida Airports Council, and AAAE, and he leads Archetype SC's AI training programs for operations and leadership teams. His focus is practical: AI that returns real time to airport staff, with the security controls to match.
Session 6: Height Restriction legislation passes, what next?
Dexter Wells
Former Airport Manager and Current Public Services Director
Troup County, GA
Chris Cary
Senior Planner, Planning and Zoning Department
Glynn County, GA
Christopher Cary is a Senior Planner at Glynn County Board of Commissioners. Zoning and Land Use regulation is his primary role. He is also an Adjunct Instructor for Coastal Pines Technical College with certifications as a Driving Instructor and ServSafe Food Manager. Chris has a wealth of knowledge and experience spanning government, distribution operations, and community management, they bring a collaborative leadership style focused on building strong teams, fostering positive workplace cultures, and achieving measurable results. Chris holds a Master of Public Administration from Valdosta State University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Armstrong State University.
Alexander Mooney, P.E
Project Manager
Benesh
Alex Mooney, P.E., leads Benesch’s Georgia aviation group, helping airports across the state plan, fund, and deliver improvements. On todays panel discussion, he will draw on his experience removing obstructions at LaGrange–Callaway Airport to share lessons learned and explain how the local ordinance helped the process go smoothly.
Joseph Robinson
Aviation
Kimley-Horn
Joseph Robinson is an aviation planning and infrastructure professional with Kimley-Horn, bringing prior aviation experience with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Georgia Department of Transportation. His work focuses on airport planning, airspace and land-use coordination, funding strategy, and infrastructure implementation. For this panel on Georgia height restriction legislation, Joseph offers practical insight into airport affected areas, Part 77 surfaces, zoning coordination, and defensible local regulations that help protect safe, compatible, and sustainable airport development.
Session 7: Leveraging Emerging technology at airports
Royce Holden
Cybersecurity and AI Market Leader
Mead & Hunt
Royce Holden is the Cybersecurity Market Leader for Mead & Hunt and a former airport CIO and CISO. Royce began his airport technology career in 2002 as the first IT Directorat Asheville Regional Airport, where he helped build and lead the airport's technology program. He later served as CIO at AVL and CISO at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Today, he advises airports across North America on emerging technologies,cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, operational resilience, and digital transformation. Royce brings more than 20 years of experience helping airport leaders navigate the intersection of innovation, risk, and airport operations.
Jerry Schwinghammer
Director of Technology Transformation
Cignus
Jerry Schwinghammer, C.M., AICP, is Director of Technology Transformation at Cignus, where he helps airports turn emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and digital twins into practical operational gains. With more than 30 years in airport planning and technology,he served as Chief Technology Officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Assistant Director of Planning at Orlando International Airport, and is an airport digital pioneer, including innovation work with DFW. Today he leads Cignus's digital transformationand IT governance and integration work for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Session 8: General aviation and economic development
Brecca Carter, MIB
Director Community & Economic Development
City of Villa Rica, Georgia
Brecca R. Carter, MIB, is a Community and Economic Development executive, Aviation & Government Affairs professional, and Private Pilot whose career sits at the intersection of government, business, and community growth.
She currently serves as Director of Community & Economic Development for the City of Villa Rica, Georgia, where she leads economic development strategy, business engagement, development initiatives, and partnerships designed to strengthen the city’s economic position. In this role, she is also working to build stronger connections between the community, regional economic-development efforts, and general aviation airports serving the West Georgia area. She is spearheading the City's first Strategic Economic Development Plan which will offer a playbook that addresses what matters most, creates opportunity for consensus, and offers clear actions to sustain a thriving City.
Brecca previously served in airport liaison and governmental affairs roles in Clayton County and as Director of Airport & Governmental Affairs for the City of College Park, where she worked extensively with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and governmental and aviation partners on airport development, community impacts, legislative priorities, environmental and noise mitigation, and strategic partnerships.
She holds a Master of International Business, Bachelor of Science in Planning & Economic Development, and brings a global perspective to economic development and aviation strategy. As a private pilot, Brecca approaches aviation not only as an economic-development professional, but also as an active member of the general aviation community. Her work focuses on helping communities recognize airports as economic assets capable of driving investment, business recruitment, connectivity, workforce opportunity, and long-term regional growth.
Scott Berta
Manager of Industrial Development
Electric Cities of Georgia
Scott Berta is the Manager of Industrial Development for Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG), where he works with communities across the state to support industrial recruitment, site development, and economic growth.Prior to joining ECG (2023), Scott served as a Project Manager and GIS/Site Specialist with the Coweta County Development Authority. During his time there, he developed strong local and state partnerships while building expertise in industrial sites, GIS,environmental due diligence, and site development.
Scott’s professional background also includes more than 20 years of experience in forestry, natural resources, and entrepreneurship. He was the managing partner of Tree Protection Supply from 2008 until the companywas successfully sold in 2019. Since 2021, Scott has owned and operated Georgia Forestry Consulting, providing forestry, environmental, and arborist services for development projects. His work includes tree and arborist surveys, environmental due diligence,aquatic resource assessments, and permitting assistance—experience that complements his work in industrial site development and economic development.
In addition to his professional work, Scott is deeply invested in his community. He has served in leadership roles including Chairman of Keep Newnan Beautiful, Chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newnan-Coweta,President of Plant Newnan, Inc., and Co-Chair of Leadership Coweta. He also serves on the board of the Patrons of the Nixon Centre, where he chairs the Corporate Sponsor Acquisition and Retention Committee. He has volunteered as a youth soccer coach and BoyScout leader. In recognition of his community involvement and service, Scott was nominated for Citizen of the Year in both 2022 and 2025.
In November 2025, Scott was elected to the Newnan City Council representing District 2, Post B, and serves as Mayor Pro Tem in 2026.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in Forest Resources with an emphasis in timber management. He is a Georgia Registered Forester and an ISA Certified Arborist. In 2024, heearned a Master of Public Administration from the University of West Georgia. He is also a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, Leadership Coweta, and Leadership Georgia.
Outside of work and community service, Scott enjoys cooking barbecue, beekeeping, woodworking, spending time outdoors, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, and wrangling four boys with his wife, Valerie.
Serra P. Hall
Executive Director
Newton County Industrial Development Authority
Serra P. Hall has driven transformative economic growth as Executive Director of the Newton County Industrial Development Authority since July 2021, leveraging deep expertise in local government and economic development.
She began her career as Covington’s Main Street Director in the early 2000s before rising into leadership roles where she has delivered multi-billion-dollar investments and the creation of thousands of jobs in Newton County. Since 2019, Hall has helped secure more than $11.9 billion in new investment—anchored by innovative industry leaders Absolics Inc., Ascend Elements, Archer Aviation, and Rivian Automotive—along with high-tech capital investment exceeding $103 billion through key partners including Meta, Server Farm, and Amazon Data Services.
Hall’s impact extends beyond recruitment, advancing workforce development and talent retention across the region. She serves locally on the Newton County College & Career Academy Advisory Council, the Newton County Tomorrow Board of Directors, and the Piedmont Newton Hospital board. Hall serves on the executive board as second vice chair of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and is an active member of the Southern Economic Development Council, International Economic Development Council, and International Council of Shopping Centers.
Hall studied at University of Georgia, Hall is a proud Georgia Bulldog and enjoys golfing with her family. She lives in Newton County with her husband, Stephen, and their son, Samuel.
Session 9: fuel systems 101 and expensive common mistakes
Steve Sowder
Sales and Quality Control
Perry Brothers Aviation Fuels
Steve Sowders currently works with Perry Brothers Aviation Fuels. Prior to joining Perry Brothers, he served as the FBO Manager at West Georgia Regional Airport for approximately four years.
Steve brings more than 20 years of experience in the medical field, with the majority of his career spent working in the Cardiac Cath Lab. For the past four years, he has worked as a traveling technician in the Electrophysiology Lab.
In addition to his medical background, Steve has more than 43 years of experience working on virtually anything mechanical. He enjoys the challenge of diagnosing problems, finding solutions, and figuring out how to make things work.
Over the years, fuel farms and aircraft refuelers have become a particular passion of Steve’s, combining his mechanical expertise with his experience in aviation.
Steve’s diverse background in aviation, mechanics, and healthcare gives him a unique perspective and a strong ability to tackle complex challenges.
Session 10: Aviation Industry Updates
Parks Preston
ADO Manager
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Parks Preston is the Manager of the Atlanta Airports District Office. During his 23 years at Atlanta ADO, he served as Assistant ADO Manager, Aviation Planner, and Environmental Protection Specialist. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in aviation. He is an Army veteran and an instrument-rated multi-engine commercial pilot. He is married with five children and four grandchildren.
Colette W. Edmisten, A.A.E.
Aviation Program Manager
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)