Jennifer Cunningham

Chair, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

Jennifer Cunningham has worked in the destination management, hospitality and casino industries in Northern Nevada for over 30 years. As the former President & CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, she was responsible for oversight across all functional areas of the Authority. An active member in her community, Jennifer has served on several boards, including EDAWN, the Regional Air Service Corporation, and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Cunningham holds a Master’s Degree in International Marketing from San Francisco State University and a B.A. in Managerial Sciences and Finance from the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2021, she completed an Executive Education program on Corporate Governance from Harvard Business School. Appointed by the City of Reno, Trustee since 2021.

Keynote Presentation

 Rosemary A. Vassiliadis

Director of Aviation for Clark County, NV

Rosemary A. Vassiliadis is the Director of Aviation for Clark County, Nevada, having been appointed to this role in 2013. The department she leads is anchored by Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) which handled a record 58.4 million passengers in 2024. In addition to directing all operations at LAS, she oversees four general aviation airports in Southern Nevada. Vassiliadis manages a staff of 1,300 employees and directs an airport system that supports approximately 13,000 jobs, including private employers. Prior to taking over as head of the department, Vassiliadis served as its deputy director, giving her more than 20 years of experience in aviation leadership.

Session 1 - NvAA Legislative Agenda

 Daren Griffin, A.A.E. - Moderator

President/CEO, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

Daren Griffin became President and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority on August 3, 2020, following a nationwide search. He is responsible for leading and directing the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and Reno-Stead Airport (RTS) with an annual operating budget of nearly $60 million.

Griffin has worked in partnership with the Board, airlines, and elected officials to make the biggest infrastructure investment in RNO history, known as MoreRNO. The $1B capital investment program will expand the ticketing hall, modernize, and update the terminal roadway, construct a new Ground Transportation Center and culminate with the building of two new replacement concourses and 26 new gates.

Formerly the Director of the PDXNext Program at the Port of Portland, Griffin also served the Port as Interim Director of Business & Properties, Director of Airport Operations, and General Aviation Manager. Prior to that, Griffin was the State Airports Manager for the State of Oregon and the Deputy Director of Yuma International Airport in Arizona.

Griffin is the Past President of the Northwest Chapter, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and a current active member of the Southwest Chapter, AAAE. He served as as the Co-Chairman of the AAAE Policy Review Council and is currently a member of the AAAE Board of Directors.

A U.S. Army veteran, Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona and is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.). He resides in Reno with his wife and three children.

 Jesse Wadhams - Speaker

Jesse A. Wadhams is a partner in the firm and opened the Northern Nevada office of Black & Wadhams. He concentrates on the representation of clients before state agencies including the Division of Insurance, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Minerals, Division of Environmental Protection, Gaming Control Board and the Tax Commission. He also represents clients before the Nevada Legislature, advocating positions and developing legislative priorities for clients with a myriad legislative issues. Jesse has been recognized as one of the top regulatory attorneys in Northern Nevada over the past 10 years by Nevada Business Magazine.

Session 2 - Overview of the NvAA Research Project on Western States Aviation Department of Research

 Kenneth G. Moen, A.A.E. - Moderator

NvAA President

Ken is the Senior Director for Aviation at LJA Engineering, bringing decades of experience in air traffic control, airport management, and aviation planning.

His aviation journey began in the U.S. Army as an air traffic controller, serving in Kentucky, South Korea, and Alabama from 1977 to 1981. In 1982, he transitioned to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an air traffic controller while earning a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics and Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

After retiring from the FAA in 2009, Ken spent a year at Baghdad International Airport training Iraqi air traffic controllers and supporting U.S. military operations with Washington Consulting Group. In 2011, he entered the civilian airport sector at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, advancing through operations and administration. He earned his Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) certification in July 2016.

In March 2018, Ken became the Airport Manager at Carson City Airport (CXP), where he served until his retirement in March 2021. Soon after, he joined Armstrong Consultants as a Special Projects Manager and Airport Planner.

Ken is deeply involved in aviation advocacy, serving as the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE) Legislative Committee Chair and as President of the Nevada Aviation Association.

Outside of aviation, Ken has been married to Denise for 41 years—in a row! He is a proud father of two and a grandfather to three.

Fred Steinmann - Speaker

 Finn Bruer - Speaker

Finn is graduate researcher who has supported a number of UCED technical reports and projects, primarily focusing on strategic planning and economic impact analysis. In addition to his work with the Nevada Aviation Association, Finn has worked on projects with a variety of private and public-sector partners, often working to analyze and connect Nevada's counties and municipalities to larger state, federal, and private sector projects. In addition to his work with UCED, Finn is a graduate student pursuing a Master's degree in Quantitative Economics. His primary research interests include public policy and financial engineering.

Session 3 - More RNO, what is it how will the modernization program impact the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and travel in Northern Nevada

 Cris Jensen, A.A.E. - Moderator

Chief Operations and Public Safety Office, RTAA

Cris Jensen is born and raised in Nevada. Cris graduated from Elko High School in Elko, Nevada and went on to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he received a degree in Aviation Business Administration. Currently, he serves as the Chief Operations and Public Safety Officer at the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. His previous roles include working at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport for approximately seven years as the Noise Abatement Coordinator and an Operations Officer from 1990 to 1997. Cris then spent eight years as the Airport Director at the Elko Regional Airport from 1997 to 2005. Following that, he was the Director of the Missoula International Airport from 2005 to 2021. During Cris' career, he was awarded the Nevada State Commendation Medal for my support of the Nevada National Guard during the 2002 Winter Olympics and was voted Airport Executive of the Year in 2010 by the Northwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. Cris is married to Tania and we have three children: twin boys who are 28 and a daughter who is 20. He has been a licensed pilot since 1982 and enjoys activities such as boating, backpacking, skiing, hunting, and fishing.

 Jackie Caulk - Speaker

MoreRNO Program Director

Jackie Caulk is the MoreRNO Program Director for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). In this role, she oversees the airport’s billion-dollar infrastructure improvement program, which includes two new concourses, a new headquarters building and police station, and a ground transportation facility. Previously, she served as the Engineering and Construction Manager for the RTAA. Prior to joining the RTAA, Mrs. Caulk served for five years as the Assistant Director of Construction and Project Management at Washoe County School District, overseeing their billion-dollar infrastructure program for new schools, repairs, and expansions. Mrs. Caulk began her career at HDR, and in her 16 years, she was a program and project manager, a staff engineer, a risk and value engineer, a construction inspector, and a contract manager. Mrs. Caulk received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Session 4 - Aeronautical Industry in Nevada

Ken Moen - Moderator

 Jack Cross - Speaker

SNC

Jack Cross is a Sr. Director of Technology at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). Jack has an extensive history developing aviation vision systems, radar systems, and aircraft landing systems. In his current role, he is involved in planning and executing R&D and technology investments at SNC. Jack designed the signal processing and 3-dimensional imagery algorithms and software for several aircraft enhanced vision systems. He was the lead inventor on 4 awarded patents. He received his BSEE from the University of Nevada, Reno. Jack has worked at SNC for thirty-six years. During that time he has seen SNC grow from roughly 20 employees to over 5,000.

Jack is married and has 4 children and 11 grandchildren. He helped found Excel Christian School 21 years ago and currently serves on its Board of Directors. He volunteers at his local church and also serves on its Board. Jack enjoys relaxing with his wife, snow skiing, golf, listening to audio books, and visiting his kids and grandkids.

 Karl Hutter - Speaker

Click Bond

In 2015, Karl Hutter became the second-generation CEO of Click Bond, Inc., an engineered-products business with 570 employees across its Carson City, Nevada, headquarters and a facility in Watertown, Connecticut, founded by Charles and Collie Hutter in 1987. Joining Click Bond in 2000, Karl went on to hold various positions within the company, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. During his time as head of the sales and marketing team, he focused on extending Click Bond’s reputation beyond that of an innovator in adhesive-bonded assembly technology to one of a trusted hardware solutions partner, enabling the company to become a major technology and hardware supplier to numerous prominent platforms within commercial and defense aerospace.

Before leading the sales team, Mr. Hutter directed the company’s business development and applications engineering efforts across the Asia-Pacific region. His work laid a strong foundation for global growth, particularly in Japan, China, and Australia. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in systems engineering and operations management from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Wharton Business School, respectively, of the University of Pennsylvania. He also is a graduate of the university’s Jerome Fischer Management & Technology (M&T) Program.

Mr. Hutter is a certified airline transport pilot and a passionate advocate for general aviation and the aerospace industry, as well as for American manufacturing. He serves several industry associations: Aerospace Industries Association Board of Governors, of which he is a past Executive Committee member; the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers, where he is the current Chair of the Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMM) Group; and the Board of Directors of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Additionally, he is a past chairman of the Carson City (Nevada) Airport Authority, a member of the Board of Trustees of both Cardigan Mountain School and Sage Ridge School, and a chapter and aviation community leader in the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

 Ash Zare - Speaker

Managing Director, CAE

Ash Zare is the Managing Director of CAE Las Vegas, a business jet pilot training facility responsible for training over 2,500 Gulfstream, Bombardier, and Embraer pilots annually. Prior to moving to Las Vegas, Ash was the General Manager for CAE Seoul, the largest third-party commercial pilot training provider in South Korea. Before joining CAE, Ash held various roles of increasing responsibility at Bombardier and Thales. Born in Iran, raised in the UAE, and educated in Canada, embracing and adapting to change has been deeply ingrained as part of Ash’s identity. Ash holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Sciences in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

 Lance Woodard - Speaker

Dassault Aircraft Services

Lance Woodard is the General Manager of Dassault Falcon Jet’s MRO facility in Reno, Nevada, overseeing one of the company’s premier maintenance, repair, and overall (MRO) operations. The facility provides world-class service, modifications and support for Falcon Jet operators, ensuring peak performance and reliability for business aviation customers worldwide,

Session 5 - Pathways to Aviation

Ken Moen - Moderator

 Tom Hall - Speaker

Tom grew up at Lake Tahoe after his dad retired as a Captain for Western Airlines. He attended UNR and received a degree in Economics and Finance, was a floor covering contractor for two years, and then went to Northwestern Law School. He has specialized in real estate and water law in Nevada for voter 50 years.  Along the way Tom received pilot ratings of SEL, Glider, and Instrument, later flying a 1981 Beech Bonanza for 20 years. He co-founded Pathways to Aviation and have been its president on and off for 20 years. Tom was an attorney for George W. Gillemot for 40 years and now serve as a Trustee of his Foundation.

Jessica Peterson - Speaker

Session 6 - State of the Industry

Ken Moen - Moderator

 Phil Derner - Speaker

NBAA

Phil Derner joined NBAA in 2018 after 13 years working as a Loadmaster, Dispatcher, and in management of Part 121, Part 121 Supplemental, Part 135, and Part 91 operations. He also owned and operated a New York City-based aviation news and consulting business for 14 years before moving to Southern California. He now serves as NBAA's Western Regional Representative, working hands-on with legislative efforts, industry advocacy, and workforce development efforts in Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. He earned his Certified Member accreditation from the Association of American Airport Executives in 2020.

Kaia Veraza - Speaker

VAI

Niki Britton - Speaker

AOPA

Niki Britton is the new Western Pacific Regional Manager - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Niki has previously been an aviation content producer, journalist, and the AOPA Sweepstakes restoration manager at Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

Niki has worked professionally in the aviation industry since 2014. Prior to working at AOPA I was the Aviation and Business Operations Manager at the 111th Group Inc. Main responsibilities included: marketing, sales, aircraft management, flight planning, photography, and graphic design. Niki earned my Private Pilot’s License in 2017. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and master’s degree in education from San Jose State University.

 Juliet Jordan - Speaker

NATA

Juliet Jordan holds the position of Managing Director of Industry Affairs and Innovation for the NATA (National Air Transportation Association), where she actively works with members to evolve the Advanced Air Mobility landscape and operating arena, as well as aviation infrastructure and sustainaiblity initiatives and programs.

In this role, Jordan monitors executive branch agency activities and serves as the team liaison to NATA’s Airport Business, Environment, and AAM Committees. She represents the association at industry and government meetings, hearings, and events, including the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Technical Committee on Airport Facilities and Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative.

Jordan’s industry exposure began as Safety Administrative Analyst for Moylan Safety Services, LLC, while still an active student. During her time with Moylan Safety Services, LLC, she was given the opportunity to play an instrumental role in developing NATA’s Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses and analyzing FBO safety processes and practices data. She further dedicated much of her coursework and academic writings to the study of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Most recently, Jordan advanced uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) deployment for Fortune 500 companies, configuring and writing groundbreaking regulatory waivers and technical documents for the industry as the Policy and Government Affairs Officer of Percepto Autonomous Solutions.

Jordan received a Master of Public Administration in science, technology, and infrastructure policy from Cornell University. She has two related certificates from Cornell in Infrastructure Policy Management and Finance and Systems Thinking Modeling and Leadership. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Binghamton University, and an Associate of Applied Science in sustainable farming and food systems from Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Session 7 - The FAA Reauthorization & Airport Division Updates

Ken Moen - Moderator

 Mark McClardy

FAA Director of Airports Western Pacific Region

Mark McClardy graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. After graduation, Mark began his professional career as a structural engineer for a medium-sized architectural and engineering firm in Detroit, Michigan where he designed both building foundations and structures for industrial buildings for the Big Three automobile companies throughout the United States and Mexico. In 1991, Mark started his career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an engineer for the Chicago Airports District Office. Mark later moved up into leadership positions within the Great Lakes Region and in August 2003, he was selected as the Director for the Airports Division in the Western Pacific Region. As Director, Mark has created many strategic partnerships with stakeholders throughout the region and has been instrumental in the advancement of both critical airport infrastructure and consequential federal decisions regionwide. Mark is a self-proclaimed aviation geek and has found his current position to be his most professionally fulfilling job since graduating from Michigan State University. During non-work hours Mark enjoys reading, sports, and traveling.

Session 8 - Hangar Development

 Jim Altshul - Speaker

Aviation Advisory Services

Jim Altschul is President of Aviation Advisory Service, Inc. in New York, and of Hayward Hangars, LLC, which owns and operates an airplane hangar project in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has practiced corporate law, advised and raised money for several start-up and early stage companies, headed up a real estate investment banking firm, and developed two general aviation airplane hangar projects.

After starting his career as a financial journalist in Tokyo and working at one of the leading law firms in New York, Jim joined Aviation Advisory Service in 1990. Jim’s father, Selig Altschul, who was a pioneer in aviation finance, founded Aviation Advisory in 1947. Jim is able to draw on an exceptional network of relationships throughout the aviation industry and related fields, and bring to bear his wide-ranging experience in addressing the challenges faced by new ventures.

In 1997 and 1998, Jim put together California Hangars, LLC, which he believes was the first retail direct participation program to invest in an airplane hangar projects. California Hangars owned and operated a 51-unit general aviation hangar project at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima, California for 17 years. California Hangars consistently delivered very high levels of occupancy and tenant satisfaction, and provided superior returns to its investors. Jim founded Hayward Hangars, LLC in 2004, and has handled all aspects of development, financing, local government relations, and property management. He has recently established Empennage Hangars, which has started the development process for several projects.

Jim is a graduate of Harvard College (A.B., East Asian Studies, cum laude) and of Columbia Law and Business Schools. He is a member of the New York bar.

 William White - Speaker

William White, CFA, is a seasoned financial professional with over 33 years of experience spanning real estate, strategic investments, financial markets, and business development. He recently began working with Aviation Advisory Service, Inc. to develop airplane hangars. He has also led business development efforts at fintech insurer Ask Canopy, Inc. and worked at Sovereign Capital Management, where he expanded investments into distressed private real estate and related businesses. Additionally, William served as an advisor to Daymark Realty Advisors, Inc., supporting the restructuring and disposition of $5 billion in commercial properties.

In 2002, William co-founded Alexander Partners, a San Francisco-based firm specializing in syndicating real estate investments across the U.S. His career began in 1989 with roles as an FX trader at Bank of America and later as a floor trader at the Pacific Coast Options Exchange.

A CFA charter holder since 2001, William holds a degree from the University of California, Davis.

Corey Jenkins - Speaker

Session 9 - Preparing Your Airport for Wildland Fire Support

 Paul Peterson - Speaker

United Aerial Firefighters Association, BLM

Session 10 - Flying into the Future: Exploring Commercial Airline Pilots' Perception of AI Implementation in Cockpit Operations

Ken Moen - Moderator