Georgia Airports Association Webinar Series 2024

REGISTER FOR SESSION 5
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Session 3
Tuesday June 27, 2024 2PM-3PM
Legislative 1 on 1
GAA’s lobbyist will be covering recent activity and preparation for the upcoming legislative session, along with being available to answer questions from the members. Edward will also work with GAA airport members to bring local legislators to your airports.
Speaker: 
Edward Lindsey 
Partner/Head of Dentons Georgia Public Policy Team 

Edward Lindsey is a partner in Dentons' Public Policy practice and serves as the head of the Firm's Georgia State Government Affairs team. His focus is on advancing the public policy interests and objectives of clients in the transportation, infrastructure, health care and education sectors.

Edward has more than 40 years of legal, political and leadership experience, including 10 years as a Georgia state representative and 3 terms as the House majority whip. He also served on the House Transportation, Appropriations, Judiciary, Education, Ways and Means, and Rules Committees.  James Magazine, a statewide political journal, recognized him as one of Georgia's most influential legislators.  The magazine has also recognized him since leaving office as one of the state’s leading political lawyers and lobbyist.


Session 2
Tuesday May 28, 2024 2PM-3PM
Minimum Standards and Rules and Regulations
A fundamental look at what standards airports should have in place.
Speaker: 
Michael A. Hodges, MAI
President/CEO
Airport Business Solutions & ABS Aviation
 

Michael Hodges

Michael is the President/CEO and founder of Airport Business Solutions (ABS), a company recognized as an industry leader in providing valuation, consulting and advisory services related to aviation real estate and property management, both on and off-airport.  Michael has been in the aviation industry for over 35 years and has worked for aviation businesses and airports of all sizes.  In addition, Michael is the President/CEO and founder of ABS Aviation, a company providing contract management of general aviation airports and FBOs for municipalities.  This unique “hands-on” experience offers the ability to better understand and appreciate the challenges of today’s aviation management and business environment from multiple perspectives.

Michael has been published and interviewed on numerous occasions in aviation publications worldwide on a variety of aviation issues. He is a regular speaker and contributor at aviation conferences throughout the United States, as well as internationally. Along with other ABS staff, Michael provides an annual two-day seminar for the American Association of Airport Executives entitled "Essentials of Airport Business Management Workshop." (This seminar/workshop was previously identified as the “Basics of Small Airport Management.”)  

Michael is one of most respected professionals in the industry, and strives to provide each and every client with the personal attention, comprehensive problem-solving, and attention to detail that they expect and deserve.


 

Session 1

Airfield Lighting: LED Challenges

Monday April 15, 2024 10:00AM-11:00AM

Airfield Lighting: LED Challenges
Speaker: Carl Johnson
Senior Aviation Lighting Specialist
AVCON, Inc.
 
Carl Johnson

Carl Johnson is a Senior Aviation Lighting Specialist with AVCON, INC. He has fifty plus years of design, construction, and maintenance of electrical distribution systems, airfield lighting and NAVAID systems experience. For the last thirty-seven years, Carl’s primary focus has been the design, construction and maintenance of airfield lighting and NAVAID systems. He is a Licensed Florida Certified Electrical Contractor and is an AAAE Airport Certified Employee (ACE) in Airfield Lighting Maintenance. Carl has provided expert testimony on the state of airfield lighting practice and safety during project mediation and litigation. 
Carl is knowledgeable of NFPA, NEC, FAA, IEEE, ICAO, and military (UFC) standards. Carl is a Principal Member of the NFPA 780 Technical Committee for Lightning Protection and UL STP 96 which covers activity for UL 96 and UL 96A Standards. Carl also serves on the Illuminating Engineering Society’s (IES) Airports and Heliports Lighting Committee which is responsible for ANSI/IES RP-37-20, Lighting Airport Outdoor Environments. 
 
 

 
 

Georgia Airports Association Webinar Series 2023

 

Session 6

Thursday September 21, 2023 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

This session will explore airspace protection legislation as we continue to pursue a State-wide solution for protecting airspace around our airports.
Lisa Harmon from Mead and Hunt will give a presentation on height restrictions and land use compatibility and an overview of States that have land use and/or height legislation in place.

Anthony Adams of the Kentucky Zoning Commission will present an overview of Kentucky airport statutes pertaining to height restrictions and zoning.

Rylan Juran, Aviation Planning Director for Minnesota, will give an overview of Minnesota airport statutes pertaining to height restrictions and zoning. 

Finally, we want to hear from you! We will have open discussion to allow questions and the sharing of ideas to further SB326, a bill dropped during the FY23 legislative session in pursuit of airspace protection for the State of Georgia. Please see the attached pdf and have your questions/comments prepared to share. We want input from all over the State so this session will be open to the public. Your input is much appreciated! Speaker Bios:

Lisa Harmon - Aviation and Environmental Planner

lisa harmonLisa Harmon is an aviation and environmental planner with more than 20 years of experience. She manages large, multidisciplinary projects to assist airport clients nationwide in achieving compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and development goals. Lisa frequently works with airports and local agencies to consider both airport and community development plans in an effort to prevent both short-term and long-term land use conflicts. She has assisted local agencies in adopting policies that minimize the public’s exposure to excessive aviation noise and safety hazards and to protect airports from encroachment by incompatible land uses. Her land use compatibility experience includes policy development, technical review of proposed plans, and the creation and analysis of complex development proposals and airport overlay zoning districts. She has prepared or contributed to airport land use compatibility plans in the state of California and trained agency staff to support plan implementation.  Lisa’s areas of expertise include: Airport Land Use Compatibility Planning, Advanced Air Mobility/Urban Air Mobility, Community Outreach, Facilitation, and Communication, Environmental Compliance, Aviation Wildlife Hazard Management and Industry Research.

Anthony Adams - Administrator, KY Airport Zoning Commission

anthony adamsAnthony has spent most of his professional career running maintenance shops and logistics operations for the Kentucky Army National Guard. After retiring as a federal employee and from the KY Army NG in 2018, he started working in the aviation field for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since Dec 2018, he has been involved in airport planning and design for proposed airports in Kentucky, managed Capital City Airport in Frankfort, KY, and served as the Administrator for the Kentucky Airport Zoning Commission (KAZC). The KAZC provides protection of the public investment in Kentucky airports and their facilities, in the best interest of the public, for developing a sound air transportation system within the Commonwealth. Anthony was married in June of 1991 to Cordelia Adams and has four daughters.

Rylan Juran

rylan juranRylan Juran is the Aviation Planning Director for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Office of Aeronautics.  He has been with MnDOT for 10 years and an Aviation Planner since 2005.  He has a degree in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle.

Session 5

Tuesday August 29, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Emergency Preparation & ResponseSession Resources: Matt Smith - Emergency Procedures Presentation.pptx Amber Clark - Airport Emergency Preparedness.pptxEmergency Plan Template - Gwinnett County.docxEmergency Plan Gwinnett County KLZU.pdf 
DOWNLOAD SESSION RECORDING
Leave feedback on session 5
 Speakers:  

Amber Clark, C.M.

Airport Director - Columbus Airport (CSG)Amber ClarkAmber Clark, C.M. has been the Airport Director for the Columbus Airport (CSG) since 2018. As Airport Director, Amber serves as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for the overall management and administration at CSG planning, directing, and coordinating the work of staff personnel as well as administering policies and directives of the Commission.Amber holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management from Florida Institute of Technology and received her Certified Member (C.M.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (A.A.A.E.) in March 2017 by completing an examination measuring her comprehensive knowledge of Airport Finance and Administration, Airport Planning, Construction and Environmental, Airport Operations, Security and Maintenance, Airport Communications and Community Relations.In 2016, Amber moved to Columbus from Kennesaw Georgia with her two children Jack (LJ) Clark and Cecilia (CC) Clark, to serve as the FBO Manager of Flightways, the Columbus Airport’s General Aviation terminal. She managed Flightways for three years overseeing the operations of Customer Service and Line Operations while making recommendations to the Airport Director and the Commission regarding improvements and development of the General Aviation Terminal.Prior to her work at Flightways, Amber served as the Customer Service Manager at the Cobb County International Airport in Kennesaw Georgia; a position that she held for three years where she sharpened her proficiency in FBO Management, Marketing, and Research.Since obtaining her private pilot’s certificate at the age of eighteen from Aero Atlanta Flight School at the Cobb County International Airport (KRYY), she has been very active in the industry completing her Commercial Pilot’s Certificate, along with her Instrument and Multi-Engine Rating with currently a little over 350 hours of flight time. Through an internship with Delta Air Lines, Amber also assisted in the merger of Northwest and Delta in 2008.Amber has been a member of the American Business Women’s Association for four years and is currently serving as President, of the Harris County Charter Chapter. Through her chapter, she was presented with the 2020 Protégée and Woman of the Year award; at the national level she has been recognized as a 2023 Top Ten Business Woman and was presented with the prestigious award of 2023 Business Women of the Year.Amber also serves as the Vice President and Education & Scholarship Committee Chair of the Georgia Airport Association (GAA), sits on the board for the Family Center, and was appointed by Governor Kemp to sit on the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame Board. Amber is a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus and chairs the Career Day Committee which brings community business leaders, organizations, and local students together to discuss future opportunities within the community. Amber also volunteers her time serving as a Sunday school teacher for children at Christ the King Church located in Pine Mountain, Georgia. 

Matthew Smith, C.M., ACE

Airport Director - Gwinnett County Airport (LZU)Matt holds a bachelor's degree in aviation operations and a minor in business from San Jose State University.  He has 30 years of experience in airport management.  Matt has experience at both air-carrier and general aviation airports, and his job assignments have included work with San Jose Mineta International Airport, Reno Air Airlines, the three general aviation airports operated by Santa Clara County, and his current position at Gwinnett County Airport – Briscoe Field.  He is a private pilot and a proud husband and father to two sons.  

 

Georgia Airports Association Webinar Series 2023 -

Session 4

Tuesday June 20, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Advocacy: Protecting Georgia Airports' Airspace

SESSION 4 ZOOM LINK 
REGISTER FOR SESSION 4 HERE
 Speakers: 

Anthony Cochran, P.E. - Regional Engineer

Airports Division, FAA Southern Region

Anthony Cochran
Anthony Cochran is a native of Tampa, Florida. He has Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Bethune-Cookman University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech. 
After working for an airport consulting engineering firm for 7 years, he joined the FAA Atlanta ADO in 2001 as a Civil Engineer/Program Manager responsible for airports in South Carolina and Southeast Georgia. In his current position as Regional Engineer for the FAA Airports Division – Southern Region, Mr. Cochran is the primary contact for the Runway Safety Area Improvement Program, Modifications to Standards for Airport Construction and Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis training and coordination with other FAA divisions. He is a licensed professional engineer and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Edward Lindsey - Partner/Head of Dentons Georgia Public Policy Team
Edward Lindsey
Edward Lindsey is a partner in Dentons' Public Policy practice and serves as the head of the Firm's Georgia State Government Affairs team. His focus is on advancing the public policy interests and objectives of clients in the transportation, infrastructure, health care and education sectors.
Edward has more than 32 years of legal, political and leadership experience, including 10 years as a Georgia state representative and 3 terms as the House majority whip. He also served on the House Appropriations, Judiciary, Education, Ways and Means, and Rules Committees. In addition, he served as a member of the Uniform Law Commission and the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. James Magazine, a statewide political journal, recognized him as one of Georgia's most influential legislators. 
REGISTER FOR SESSION 4 HERE
 

Georgia Airports Association Webinar Series 2023 -

Session 3

Tuesday May 16, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Gaining Approval for Non-Aeronautical Events at Your Airport

SeSSION 3 RECoRDING
Download Session Resources:
2022 GDOT non-aero package.pdf
2023 FAA - GDOT Package for SSI RSM Event.pdf
GAA Webinar Non-Aero Event Final 5-15-23 (1).pptx

 Speakers: 

Steve Brian C.M. - Manager, Aviation Programs GDOT

Steve BrianSTEVE BRIAN is the Aviation Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Transportation which administers the FAA Block Grant Program and the State Aviation Grant Program. Prior to joining the Department, Steve was the Airport Director in College Station, TX and Brunswick, GA (managing the Brunswick Golden Isles and the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airports).  He has 40 years of experience in the aviation industry managing airports in the communities of Birmingham, AL, Binghamton, NY, and Kinston, NC.  He also served in Washington, DC with the Airport Council International (ACI) working on issues affecting small airports, air service, and international route development.
Steve is a graduate of Auburn University, a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and holds a private pilot certificate.

Terra Winslett C.M. - Airport Property and Marketing Manager, Glynn County Airport Commission 

 Terra WinslettTerra Winslett is the Airport Property and Marketing Manager for the Glynn County Airport Commission managing property for the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport and the St. Simons Island Airport.  She has 20+ years of experience in office administration ranging from Airport to Real Estate and Construction.  She is a Georgia licensed Real Estate Broker, board member of the Georgia Airports Association and achieved her Certified Member (C.M.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives in 2016.  She is a member of SEC AAAE and serves on the conference committee.

Billy Ragan - Airport Manager, Vidalia Regional Airport (VDI)

Billy Ragan
Billy Ragan is the Airport Manager of the Vidalia Regional Airport. Billy joined the airport in August 2010, as a Line Service Attendant, and was promoted to Line Service Supervisor in 2019. He has demonstrated proven leadership in ensuring the building maintenance, wildlife and grounds upkeep of the airport is maintained in optimal condition. In his role as Airport Manager, he enjoys interacting with the airport’s customers and constituents. In his free time, he maintains an active private pilot’s license, flying single engine aircraft such as the Piper Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172. His current flying record is 700 hours.   
 
SESSION 3 RECORDING
 
 

Session 2

Tuesday April 25, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Exploring the importance of the relationship between the governing body/chamber and an airport 

SESSION 2 Recording 

 Speakers: 

Jim Wolfgang - Chairman Airport Advisory Committee, Baldwin County Regional Airport

Jim WolfgangJim Wolfgang moved to Milledgeville from Western NY in 1980 to teach at Georgia College for 1 year. Thirty seven years later he retired from the college. During that time he started his aviation career receiving his PPL in 1983. In 1985 he and his partner, Jeff Baum of Wisconsin Aviation, operated Baldwin County’s FBO, Air Sinclair, until 1997.  Jim has been chair of the Baldwin County Regional Airport Advisory Committee since its creation in 2012.  In addition, he serves as a volunteer aviation consultant for the county commissioners. He lives on a farm in the country with his wife Maryllis and their horses. 

Kim Tharp - Executive Assistant to Mayor B. H. “Skip” Henderson III of the Columbus Consolidated Government

Kim Tharp

After twenty years in the chamber of commerce industry, Kim retired as President & CEO of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce in May of 2022.  After six months of retirement (and several trips to the beach), she began working for Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson as his Executive Assistant.  During her time at the Harris County Chamber of Commerce, she served on the Harris County Airport Commission as well as the Regional Airport Board for the Columbus Airport. 

Kim fully understands the importance of an airport to a community from an economic development perspective as well as an economic opportunity for tourism.  During her career, Kim discovered tourism as both influencer and tourist.  She is a firm believer in being a “tourist in your own hometown.”  Kim developed the brand Explore Harris County and was a key planner in the annual Airport Open House at the Harris County Airport.  Her service on the Regional Airport Board brought a regional perspective, and her partnership with the Columbus Airport offered the ability to share ideas and resources regionally. 

Kim has two children and is recently engaged.  She lives in Columbus with her daughter; her fiancé, Michael; Lucy, her 13-year-old Shi Tzu; and the most handsome Irish cat, Finnegan.   v

  


Georgia Airports Association Webinar Series 2023 - Session 1

Tuesday March 28, 2023 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

ADSB Operations Tracking at Your Airport

ADSB tracking  

Speakers Les Goldsmith, Virtower and Dwight Albritton - Airport Manager KCZL

Les GoldsmithLes Goldsmith is an Australian Army Veteran, Rotary Wing Pilot and President of Virtower. Les has spent the last 16 years developing sensor systems for detection of nation state electronic surveillance targeting US critical infrastructure and personnel. Les is a contracted subject matter expert on cellular network vulnerabilities to the US Department of Homeland Security, conducting investigations into new cellular network threats impacting 2G, 3G, LTE and 5G networks. In 2019 the newly established Virtower began research into the current aircraft tracking solutions and their limitations. Launching in October 2020 Virtower now has over 200 Airports using the system to track operations, pavement usage and investigate noise complaints. In early 2022 Virtower was selected to provide tracking of interagency government air assets for deconfliction and coordination with drone operations in congested airspace.

Dwight Albritton

Dwight Albritton is the Airport Manager for Tom B. David Airport in Calhoun - Gordon County Georgia. Dwight became the Airport Manager in 2002. He is an instrument rated commercial single and multi-engine pilot , commercial UAS pilot, and avid (highly addicted) radio controlled aircraft builder and pilot. He is a proud husband and father of two beautiful daughters since 1994.