2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Jocelin Padilla

Jocelin Padilla plays one of the most essential roles in aviation—ensuring the safety and security of passengers, employees, and infrastructure. As Access Control Specialist at Santa Fe Regional Airport, she oversees credentialing, background checks, and compliance with TSA Part 1542 regulations, helping safeguard the airport’s secure areas.

Padilla has made a measurable impact by streamlining access control procedures, improving badge accountability, and strengthening vetting protocols. Her proactive approach has not only enhanced audit readiness but also built stronger collaboration with both airport leadership and federal inspectors. By identifying gaps and implementing practical solutions, she has reinforced the airport’s compliance posture while raising the standard for security training and operations.

What sets Padilla apart is her vision of security as more than compliance. She leads with accountability and works to instill a culture of safety that resonates beyond her own role. “What I enjoy most is knowing that my work helps people feel safe,” she said. “While travelers and employees may not always see everything that goes into maintaining security, I take pride in being part of what keeps them protected.”

Guided by mentors like Airport Director Jimmy Gunn, Padilla has embraced a “lead from the trenches” philosophy—supporting her team, explaining the reasoning behind protocols, and fostering confidence in others. Her commitment to protecting people while inspiring shared responsibility reflects the next generation of aviation leadership: dedicated, forward-thinking, and deeply rooted in integrity.