Joseph Daniele is a Senior Systems Engineer directly engaged in operational systems support for Lockheed Martin Flight Services. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in 2005, Joe supported the DoD and FAA on many defense and ATC programs. Joe has 30 years of experience primarily in DoD and FAA Air Traffic Control National and International Airspace domains. Joe is a graduate of DeVry University; a Master of Engineering candidate at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; and an active pilot.
Presentation: UAS Integration NAS
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.
Don has been with the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ since January 1983.
Don has a Bachelor of Science Degree.
His initial assignment was to the Airborne Systems Technology Branch’s Helicopter Operations Program.
Currently assigned to the Airport Safety Technology R & D Sub-Group as the Visual Guidance Program Manager.
Don has been responsible for managing R & D flight test projects during his FAA career, varying from Navigation systems (MLS, GPS), to Visual guidance systems testing (PAPI, MALSR, ALSF-2).
His duties within the Safety Technology R&D have included:
Coordinate R&D research of airport visual guidance systems (Signs, Lighting, Markings) and supporting various organizations within the FAA.
Investigate new technology for use in Visual Guidance while maintaining or improving the visual cues to pilots and ground vehicle operators.
Current Technical Advisor to the US member of the ICAO Aerodrome Panel’s Visual Aids Working Group.
Current Member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.
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RICHARD W. (Rick) MEEHAN, Mayor – was elected to the City Council in 1985 and served as City Council President for 14 years up until he took over the office of the Mayor in June of 2006. Rick is a graduate of the University of Baltimore with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Rick was born in New York City but grew up in Baltimore and spent his summers while in high school and college working at the beach. He moved to Ocean City for good in 1971. He is an active Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Rick is a member of the Governors Economic Development Committee, Downtown Association, Chamber of Commerce, and is the President of the Delmarva Irish American Club and the Co- Chairman of the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As Mayor he serves on the Pension Committee and the Police Commission.
nominated Council President on October, 1990
assumed Mayors seat (upon Jim Mathias resignation) on June 12, 2024
elected as Mayor on October, 2006
David Newcomer is a general surgeon practicing in Lancaster, PA. Since gaining his private pilot’s rating in 2008, he has made 2,687 landings at 274 different airports nationwide, accumulated over 2,000 hrs flying time, and flown coast-to-coast in a Piper Saratoga five times. On these trips he has overflown most national parks and landed at some exotic places including California’s Death Valley, Lake County Colorado, and Catalina Island. He has had a life-long interest in photography, so it was only natural that he would begin taking photos from the air. He now has more than 70,000 aerial photos stored on his external hard drive and is still shooting.
Presentation: Flying VFR Coast-to-Coast
John flew military fighters and helicopters and had a 30-year career with a major airline, but his first love is general aviation. He soloed at age 16 in tail draggers at a grass strip and has operated a small flight school and served as a DPE. He flies his own Skyhawk and keeps his hand in tail wheel and aerobatics in a CAP-10. He holds a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and an A&P Certificate.
Presentation: FAASTeam Roadmap for the Future
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Mr. Ashish J. Solanki, A.A.E. has been with the Maryland Aviation Administration for the past 19 years. He presently serves as Director of the Office of Regional Aviation Assistance for the Maryland Aviation Administration. He is responsible for fostering and promoting safe aeronautics in Maryland. His duties include: licensing and regulating the 138 public and private landing facilities, managing the State’s $3 million grants-in-aid program and supporting aerospace education for the citizens of Maryland. As stewards of the state aviation system, focus remains on the improvement, development and protection of the airport infrastructure to meet the demands of the flying public. Prior to his service to State of Maryland, he was an aircraft dispatcher for a regional airline based at Dulles International Airport. He also provided Flight Instructor training to new and intermediate flight students. He holds a commercial-instrument certificate for single and multi-engine land aircraft as well as a flight instructor and dispatcher certificates with over 2,000 flight hours. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida Tech and a Master of Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Solanki is recognized as an Accredited Airport Executive, an industry certification acknowledging expert knowledge, skills and experience in the management/operation of airports.
Presentation: FAASTeam Roadmap for the Future
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Jim Viola, a native of Dunmore PA, is the manager of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA), General Aviation and Commercial Division, in the Flight Standards Directorate, AFS-800.
Jim began his Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) career at the Herndon VA, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). He was hired as an Operations Aviation Safety Inspector for both Airplanes and Helicopters. He quickly advanced from an Aviation Safety Inspector into a Supervisory Inspector position, and became the Front Line Manager for the Colgan Air, Inc. Part 121 Air Carrier Certificate Management Team after the Buffalo NY accident in 2009.
His previous aviation experience comes from 27 Years’ service in the Army including more than 10 years in Special Operations Aviation units. His military career began as an enlisted Soldier in the Army Reserves and finished as the Division Chief of Current Operations for Army Aviation, at the Pentagon.
Jim is the Government Co-chair for the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) and a Government member of the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). He volunteers as the General Aviation Working Group Chairman for the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) and as the Director of the pilot familiarization program director for the International Grumman American Pilots Association.
He is a Master Army Aviator and a Master Jumpmaster/Parachutist. He holds Airline Transport and Flight Instructor certificates for Helicopters and Airplanes. Jim is qualified in a variety of helicopters that include the Robinson R-22/44, Sikorsky TH-55, UH-60 Blackhawk, Bell UH-1 Huey, OH-58 Jet Ranger, AH-1 Cobra, McDonald Douglas MH-6, and the Boeing MH-47 Chinook. He has also flown more than 30 single and multi-engine airplanes.
Jim holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Auburn University, Montgomery Al. and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College, Carlie PA.
Presentation: Runway Incursion Data and Trends
Ms. Vitagliano is a project manager at the FAA Airport Technology R&D Branch at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. She has 5 years experience in Airport Operations at a small-hub airport, earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alaska-Anchorage and her Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle. She is currently leading several R&D projects concerning: airport design, visual guidance, aircraft noise, runway incursion mitigation, artificial turf and incident/accident data analysis.
Presentation: FAA Airport Safety R&D Projects (LED Lighting)
Jessica Waters was born and raised in the Ocean City area, enjoying everything that the coastal community has to offer residents and visitors. A graduate of Towson University, Jessica received her Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications, with a special concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology.
Upon graduating in 2005, Jessica moved back to the beach and began interning in the Town of Ocean City’s Tourism Department. As her career progressed, she held positions as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Recreation and Parks Department and the Public Affairs Specialist for the Police Department. In 2012, Jessica was hired as the Communications Manager for the Town of Ocean City, where her primary duties include media relations, crisis communications and public information.
Presentation: Managing the Press
THOMAS E. ZOELLER, is the Managing Director of the National Transportation Safety Agency, which is the Federal agency charged to investigate every U.S. civilian aviation accident, as well as investigations in all other modes of transportation, including rail, maritime, pipelines, and surface transportation. He leads an agency of over 420 full time staff with an annual appropriated budget of over $100 million. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Director of Communications for the NTSB. Reporting directly to the Chairman of the NTSB, he is responsible for the day to day and strategic management of the agency.
Beginning with his first job out of law school, he has 25 years of Federal agency and legislative experience. He was a legislative aide for former U.S. Senator Wendell H. Ford, advising the Senator on transportation and general Federal government issues. He was a principal congressional staff member that helped draft the 1996 FAA reauthorization legislation and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Upon Senator Ford’s retirement, he joined the FAA as a legislative counsel and later as chief of staff to FAA Administrator Jane Garvey. He went on to become a vice president for regulatory affairs at AAAE, and then President and CEO of the National Air Carrier Association.
Zoeller received his B.A., magna cum laude, in 1984 from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He obtained his law degree in 1987 from Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, N.J.
Presentation: NTSB Issues and Update