Carmine Gallo became the FAA Regional Administrator for the Eastern Region on February 1, 2009. The Eastern Region encompasses the geographical area that includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The Region oversees operations at some of the world’s busiest airports including, JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Newark International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
At the time of his appointment, Mr. Gallo was the Director of Tactical Operations for the northeastern United States, where he had management oversight for day-to-day traffic operations from Maine to Virginia and west to Ohio including interface with Canadian, oceanic and military airspace.
Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Carmine’s career with the FAA began in 1981 as an Air Traffic Controller at the NY Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility. Carmine has served in various managerial positions including Air Traffic Manager representing the Tactical Operations Program Office within Eastern and New England Regions, Supervisor at Republic Tower, NY TRACON and Area Manager for the Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia Areas.
Mr. Gallo held several Pilot Certificates, including those for Airline Transport Pilot, Multi Engine Land, Flight Instructor single, multi-engine land and instrument instructor. Carmine Gallo attended C.W. Post College and is the proud recipient of numerous honors including the Distinguished Service Award for his support during the TWA 800 tragedy, the ATO Vice President’s Award for Excellence for his work on the Short Term Initiatives and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Citation for his efforts during 9/11. Mr. Gallo received an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Vaughn College in May 2012, in recognition of his lifetime commitment to aviation.
Presentation: NextGen Update
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Ricky Dorell Smith as Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) on July 10, 2015. Mr. Smith is responsible for the planning, operation, and management of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI Marshall), Martin State Airport, and regional aviation activities for the State of Maryland.
Mr. Smith, a 27–year transportation official, returned to Maryland after serving as the Director of the Department of Port Control for the City of Cleveland since June 2006. In that capacity, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Airport System, which includes ClevelandHopkins International Airport and Burke Lakefront Airport. In addition, he was responsible for overseeing the development and management of the City’s lakefront properties.
Mr. Smith worked to establish and execute a strategic direction for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport that included expanding airport revenue sources, strengthening the airport’s brand recognition, improving airfield safety, and enhancing thepassenger experience. During Mr. Smith’s leadership in Ohio, Cleveland Hopkins was recognized as the most–improved airport in North America by the international aviation industry organization, Airports Council International–North America. He led the development of a new $2 billion master plan for the Cleveland Airport System that is developing new cargo facilities and expanded corporate hangars, improved parking facilities, a new on–airport hotel, an improved passenger terminal building, a new on–airport service station/fast food plaza, and a new state-of–the–art FAA Air Traffic Control Tower.
Prior to his service in Cleveland, Mr. Smith served as the Chief Operating Officer for the MAA. Mr. Smith helped lead BWI Marshall Airport through a $2 billion expansion program, increased air service throughout the world, and the creation of a new food andretail program. Prior to returning to the MAA after a two–year departure, Ricky served as the Deputy Administrator for the Maryland State Highway Administration. There, he oversaw an approximate $1 billion annual budget and co-developed the financing strategy for the largest capital project in Maryland history – the Inter-County Connector. In addition, he served in theprivate sector for several years with International Business Machines, H&R Block Business Services, The May Company, and others.
Ricky holds a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Howard University and an Executive MBA from LoyolaUniversity in Maryland. He is a graduate of a number of leadership programs, including Leadership Cleveland, the GreaterBaltimore Committee, Leadership Anne Arundel, and the University of Maryland Government Executive Institute. He is active on several national and local boards and industry associations including the American Association of Airport Executives, the Airport Minority Advisory Council, the BWI Business Partnership, and the U.S. Department of Transportation National Freight Advisory Council.
Lt. General Robert R. Dierker, USAF Ret.
Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii
General Dierker entered the Air Force in 1972 after being honored as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has served in various operational and staff positions in the United States, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Europe, and has commanded an operations group. He is a command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours, primarily in tactical aircraft, and is a master parachutist with more than 130 military jumps.
EDUCATION: 1972 Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 1973 Master of Science degree in operations research, University of California, Los Angeles 1983 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 1988 U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
As the Director of State Government Affairs at AOPA, Jared Esselman sets the national legislative agenda for aviation policy across the states. Jared has a rich background in intergovernmental affairs work, including work in the White House, and a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University. He lives in Harpers Ferry, WV with his wife and two daughters.
Presentation: Regulatory and Regional Issues Update
A member of the L.R. Kimball Team for over 27 years, Mr. Holes currently serves as the Director for all Aviation Services staff work at L.R. Kimball. He is a registered Professional Engineer in seven states. As Director, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of L.R. Kimball’s airport planning, environmental, design, and construction staff, QA/QC, business development, and client coordination. Mr. Holes also provides expertise in hydrology, stormwater management, erosion and sedimentation plan development, and project management and development.
Presentation: Instrument Approaches 20:1, Obstruction Action Plans
Studied Forestry for 2 years at Penn State University followed by 22 years as an Air Traffic Controller in the U.S. Air Force where he received numerous decorations and achievements including an Associates Degree in Air Traffic Control and Airway Science.. Stationed in such exotic places as Dover, DE, Upper Heyford, England, Sumter, SC, Sondrestrom, Greenland, Las Vegas NV , and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.. After retiring from the USAF, pursued a career as a Flight Procedures Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration for the past 18 years. Mr Lebar has been married for the past 31 years to his wife Debra. He has 3 children.
Presentation: Instrument Approaches 20:1, Obstruction Action Plans
Founded in 2015, Sienar Aerial is one of the first FAA authorized drone companies in Maryland
and the only authorized drone company in our home town of Salisbury. We specialize in cinematography and photography but also offer our clients inspection, documentation, surveying, and 3D mapping services.
Following federal and local regulations is essential to running a successful drone services company, and we are the first and only company that has received LOAs from Eastern Shore airports - allowing us to operate commercially within their 5-mile radii. Sienar Aerial is also dedicated to educating the community by demonstrating at local events, donating flight time to causes in the area, and educating students at local universities.
Presentation: UAV/UAS Operations