NYAMA WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL 2014 FALL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBIT SHOW IN SYRACUSE

Honors Larry A'Hearn and Welcomes New President, Michael Giardino

SYRACUSE, NY (09/29/2014)(readMedia)-- NEW YORK AVIATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION'S CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL 2014 FALL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBIT SHOW IN SYRACUSE

The New York Aviation Management Association concluded a record-breaking 2014 Fall Conference and Exhibit Show Friday hosted by Syracuse Hancock International Airport at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Syracuse, New York.

NYAMA's annual Fall Conference and Exhibit Show highlights and demonstrates the association's successful training and advocacy efforts for New York's aviation industry. The conference is designed to provide airport managers, corporate representatives, public officials, aviation educators and students a forum for education, networking and a professional exchange of knowledge and innovation.

NYAMA was pleased to welcome honored guests, Keynote Speaker Col. Anthony Basile, Director of Operations, NUAIR Alliance; Guest Speaker Col. Greg Semmell, Commander 174th Attack Wing, NYANG; and Mr. Bill Shea, Aerospace Lecturer and NYAMA's First President.

This year's conference included a robust program, featuring panels and sessions covering a variety of important and emergent topics in aviation. This year's sessions included a special Women in Aviation panel featuring a discussion of panelists' careers, accomplishments and challenges as women in the public, private, federal, and not-for-profit sectors of the industry.

Other sessions included a Sustainability Efforts at your Airport- a presentation of national trends in airport sustainability and an overview and update on several sustainability projects in progress throughout the state, as well as sessions dealing with the topics of endangered species on airports; the basics of federal Airport Improvement Program Funding; non-aeronautical revenue and creative uses for terminal space; and a discussion of the future of fixed-base operations and general aviation (a complete list of speakers below).

The conference concluded with a farewell breakfast followed by a tour of Syracuse Hancock International Airport and the 174th Attack Wing base as well as an Active Shooter Training Session administered by the TSA and Syracuse Police Department. NYAMA's 2015 Fall Conference and Exhibit Show will be held in Rochester, NY at the Hyatt Regency Rochester September 17-19 and will be hosted by Greater Rochester International Airport.

NYAMA was founded in 1976 as the New York Airport Managers Association by representatives of New York State Airports. In 2000, the Association changed its name to the New York Aviation Management Association to reflect is growing sphere of influence and representation. Today, NYAMA represents the spectrum of aviation professionals from the owners of the smallest privately owned airstrips to the management of New York's largest facilities serving millions of scheduled air carrier passengers annually, as well as private manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, and educators who serve the aviation industry in New York State and across the Globe.

2014 NYAMA Fall Conference Speakers:

FAA/NYADO/NYSDOT Update

Jacqueline Marcello, Manager, Executive Operations Staff, FAA; Maria Stanco, Special Process Integrator, FAA; Steve Urlass, Manager, NYADO; and Gerardo Mendoza, Acting Director- Aviation Bureau, NYSDOT.

Women in Aviation

Susan Baer, Global Aviation Planning Leader, ARUP, Inc.; Deborah Meehan, President and CEO, InterVISTAS; Teresa Rizzuto, Branch Manager Eastern Region, FAA; and Shelley LaRose-Arken, Airport Manager, Republic Airport (moderator).

Sustainability Efforts at Your Airport

Todd Bane, Airport Fire Chief, Greater Rochester International Airport; Emmanuelle Humblet, PM, Sustainability & Adaptation Planner, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.; William Johnston, Airport Construction Manager, Greater Rochester International Airport; and Chad Nixon, Senior Vice President, McFarland Johnson (moderator).

Dealing with Endangered Species on Airports

Cody Baciuska, Wildlife Biologist, Loomacres Wildlife Management; Noelle Rayman, Endangered Species Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Jeffery Wood, Senior Transportation Manager, McFarland Johnson; and Jason Ringler, Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist, The Louis Berger Group, Inc. (moderator).

Basics of AIP Funding

Maureen Fogarty, Fiscal Officer, Syracuse Regional Airport Authority; Kelli Walters, Grants Program Manager, C&S Companies; and Sean Collins, Eastern Regional Manager, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (moderator).

Non-aeronautical Revenue- Creative Uses for Terminal Space

Trent Amond, Chief Fiscal Officer, Syracuse Regional Airport Authority; Sharon Bates, Director, Art & Culture Program, Albany International Airport; Rick Lucas, Project Planner, McFarland Johnson; and Christina Callahan, Executive Director, Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (moderator).

Future of FBOs/General Aviation

David Jones, Regional Vice President, Executive Airshare; Dean Saucier, NE Regional Representative, National Business Aviation Association; and Lee Weitz, Assistant Director of Aviation, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, NFTA (moderator).

MICHAEL GIARDINO C.M., ELECTED PRESIDENT OF NEW YORK AVIATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Michael A. Giardino C.M., Director of Aviation at the Greater Rochester International Airport, was elected president of the New York Aviation Management Association on Thursday, September 18, during an Association Business Meeting in Syracuse, NY held during NYAMA's annual Fall Conference and Exhibit Show. Mr. Giardino has previously served as NYAMA's Vice President, has served as Director of Aviation at Greater Rochester International Airport since 2012, and brings the experience of a decorated, twenty-six year military career to the Association.

"I would like to thank Ann Crook, our outgoing president, for her outstanding service over the past two years," said Mr. Giardino. "Ann served two terms and worked tirelessly with our membership to reach out to new organizations and prospective members. She continued to foster relationships with New York State and federal legislators and officials to highlight the aviation industry's central role in economic development in New York. I also want to recognize Chad Nixon for his two-term service as Past President. Chad's selfless service to NYAMA is inspiring. I am honored to serve as President. Our highly experienced Executive Committee and Board Directors will continue to work hard as the chief advocates for New York State aviation interests, especially our NYAMA members."

NYAMA's members also elected new board officers who will serve through 2015: Jeremy Martelle, ACE, Senior Aviation Planner, The Louis Berger Group, Inc., Vice President, John Delbalso, Assistance Airport Manager, Albany International Airport, Treasurer; Lee Weitz, Assistant Director of Aviation, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Secretary; and, Ann B. Crook, AAE, Director of Aviation, Elmira Corning Regional Airport, Past President.

NYAMA welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors. Pasquale DiFulco, Manager of Aviation Communications, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officially joined the board in June of this year to serve the remainder of a term set to end in 2015. David Taillon, PE, Capital District Office Manager, Passero Associates, LLC also joined the board via nomination and will serve two year terms.

NYAMA's 2014-2015 Board of Directors also includes: Carl Beardsley, Commissioner of Aviation, Greater Binghamton Airport; Christina R. Callahan, Executive Director of Syracuse Hancock International Airport; Ross Dubarry, Airport Manager, Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport; Fritz Kass, Aviation Advocate; Chris Kreig, Manager, Plattsburgh International Airport; Shelley LaRose-Arken, Manager, Republic Airport; William McShane, Vice President, Sheltair Aviation; Chad Nixon, Senior Vice President, McFarland Johnson, Inc.; and Peter Stearn, CM, Vice President, Fortbrand Services.

NYAMA was founded in 1976 as the New York Airport Managers Association by representatives of New York State Airports. In 2000, the Association changed its name to the New York Aviation Management Association to reflect is growing sphere of influence and representation. Today, NYAMA represents the spectrum of aviation professionals from the owners of the smallest privately owned airstrips to the management of New York's largest facilities serving millions of scheduled air carrier passengers annually, as well as private manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, and educators who serve the aviation industry in New York state and across the Globe.

NEW YORK AVIATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION HONORS LARRY A'HEARN WITH 2014 BILL SHEA AWARD

In recognition of his years of service to aviation in New York State, the New York Aviation Management Association is pleased to announce that Larry A'hearn is the recipient of the 2014 Bill Shea Award. Mr. A'hearn was presented with his award at a ceremony held on September 18 during NYAMA's 2014 Fall Conference and Exhibition Show in Syracuse, New York by Bill Shea himself.

Larry A'hearn's career includes over 44 years of service to the aviation industry with significant focus on New York State. After serving three years in the United States Marine Corp., Mr. A'hearn began working for Shumaker Consulting Engineering in Binghamton, NY as a surveyor; his exposure to a number of airports that kindled a love of aviation that continues today.

Mr. A'hearn transitioned to the role of resident engineer for many airport projects and developed a strong working relationship with the New York Airports District Office, eventually joining the NYADO as Project Engineer in 1990. Mr. A'hearn has transitioned to Airport Planner and eventually Senior Planner in the 24 years since.

Often, the first step of any airport development is crafting a long-term plan. Mr. A'hearn has been an active participant in these plans and an advocate for needed airport improvements over the course of career. He has consistently gone beyond the call of duty to support New York airports and to communicate their needs to decision-makers at the FAA.

Larry A'hearn has personally been involved in long-term planning for over 50 New York State Airports and has shown a personal and professional dedication that have provided innumerable benefits to the state aviation industry. In recognition of his hard work, huge positive impact, and years of service to New York's airports, Larry is well-deserving of the 2014 Bill Shea Award.

"Larry A'hearn epitomizes the Bill Shea Award," said NYAMA President Mike Giardino. "He has been the go-to-guy for so many of our NYAMA members both in the public and private sector. It is our distinct pleasure to bestow this honor on someone who has meant so much to New York State Aviation."

The Bill Shea Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and effected positive change in the aviation industry in New York State. Those eligible for the Award must have gone beyond the call of duty and given of their time, energy and resources to significantly impact the aviation industry in New York State for the better. Eligible individuals must also have developed a positive relationship with the New York Aviation Management Association, though he or she does not necessarily need to be a NYAMA member.

The Bill Shea Award was created in honor of William F. Shea, an aerospace educator and lecturer and NYAMA's first president, who has had extensive experience in administration, education, government, and aviation. Bill has held number of aviation positions, authored many aviation-related articles, and received numerous industry awards throughout his career.

NEW YORK AVIATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS C&S COMPANIES AND SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WITH THE 2014 PHIL BRITO PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD IN THE DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION CATEGORY

The New York Aviation Management Association is pleased to congratulate C&S Companies and Syracuse Hancock International Airport, recipients of the 2014 Phil Brito Project of the Year Award in the Design/Construction Project category.

C&S Companies' winning design/ construction entry was a terminal renovation, security, and access improvement project at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. This project included the development and construction of a centralized security checkpoint and a new in-line baggage screening system in each wing of the airport. The project also included measures to reduce the environmental impact of the building and its energy usage and received an LEED Gold rating as a result making it one of the first LEED airport terminal projects in New York. The project provided an increased levels of security, reduced waiting times, more retail and concessions space, and a more attractive and inviting airport.

Entry fees collected from the Phil Brito Award are used, in their entirety, to fund student scholarships for annual Fall Conference registration or aviation-related courses of study on behalf of NYAMA.

The Phil Brito Award was created to recognize Engineering and Planning Consulting firms for outstanding achievement in the execution of an aviation-related planning, design, or design-build project for an airport or airports located within New York State. This award is named after the late, long-time FAA New York Airport District Office Manager, Mr. Phil Brito, whose tireless efforts greatly contributed to the success of aviation in New York State. The award is presented annually at NYAMA's Fall Conference and Exhibit Show.