Aviation Pros to Know August 2025

James C. Chrisley has been appointed as the new Director of Aviation at the Clark County Department of Aviation, succeeding Rosemary Vassiliadis, who will retire on September 12, 2025.

In his role as Director of Aviation, Chrisley will oversee Clark County’s aviation system, which includes Harry Reid International Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, North Las Vegas Airport, Jean Sport Aviation Center, and Overton-Perkins Field. His responsibilities will encompass managing airport operations and guiding modernization, expansion, and long-range planning initiatives across these facilities.

Prior to this position, Chrisley served as Senior Director of Aviation at the Clark County Department of Aviation, where he led operations for major events such as the Las Vegas Grand Prix and Super Bowl LVIII, contributed to the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport project, and directed master planning for several county airports. Before joining the department, he spent more than 21 years as a civil engineering and mission support officer in the U.S. Air Force, holding leadership roles at Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Chuck McFall, Ph.D., A.A.E., PMP, has joined ADK Consulting & Executive Search as a Senior Consultant.

In his new position, McFall will provide strategic consulting based on more than 35 years of leadership and management experience. His role will involve advising on organizational performance, process improvements, and strategic planning initiatives to support ADK’s client engagements.

Prior to joining ADK, McFall served for 12 years as Executive Vice President and Chief Information, Strategy and Administrative Officer at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, where he oversaw information technology, planning, finance, communications, government affairs, and risk management functions. He began his career at the Tennessee Valley Authority, holding senior leadership roles in nuclear plant construction, fossil plant operations, and IT services, and served on multiple industry research and educational boards. He was honored with the Construction Industry Institute Distinguished Service Award. McFall holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration, a Master’s in Organizational Behavior, and an Executive Leadership Certificate from MIT. He is also certified as both an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and Project Management Professional (PMP), and has served on steering committees and workgroups with ACI-NA.

Jennifer Miller has been appointed Director of Procurement at Clinton National Airport, operated by the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission.

In this role, she is responsible for overseeing procurement activities, managing contracts and agreements, and ensuring compliance with purchasing policies.

Miller brings more than 25 years of experience across public and private sectors. She previously served as Director of Procurement for the City of Salisbury, where she managed municipal operations purchasing and also worked as Assistant Director of Internal Services, Procurement and Parking. Her earlier career included positions at D&H Distributing, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and Harrah’s Entertainment. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Elizabethtown College and certifications as a Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP), Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), and Certified Public Procurement Buyer (CPPB).

Ryan Kaspari has joined Palm Springs International Airport as Deputy Director of Aviation, Capital Development.

In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the airport’s Aviation Capital Program Division, managing project execution, personnel, and strategic oversight.

Kaspari brings over 20 years of experience leading infrastructure and construction projects in military and corporate settings. He most recently served as Executive Director of Mission Support for the Minnesota Air National Guard, where he led six teams of more than 400 personnel and oversaw multimillion-dollar infrastructure, operations, and sustainment programs. Previously, he held roles as Director of Maintenance Operations and Director of Facilities & Engineering. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, a master’s in military operational art and science, and is a Certified Energy Manager (C.E.M.).

Mark Papko has been appointed Director of Dane County Regional Airport under the oversight of ADK Consulting & Executive Search.

In this role, he oversees the overall management, operation, security, maintenance, and development of the airport.

Papko brings over a decade of progressive leadership in airport management. He most recently served as Director of Operations and Projects for the Duluth Airport Authority, where he led strategic initiatives and daily operations for Duluth International Airport and Sky Harbor Regional Airport, and managed a major capital improvement plan. His career also includes positions at Grand Junction Regional Airport, San Jose International Airport, and O’Hare International Airport. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation operations from St. Cloud University and a master’s in business administration in aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and is an Accredited Member of the American Association of Airport Executives.

Kent Bontrager has been appointed Vice President and Chief Planning & Development Officer at the Greenville–Spartanburg Airport District.

In this role, he leads strategic planning and development initiatives across the airport district, overseeing the Capital Improvement Program, coordinating infrastructure enhancements, and aligning development efforts with operational goals and future growth plans.

Bontrager brings extensive airport design experience from projects across Florida, Tennessee, and international markets. He previously served as Vice President of Engineering, Planning & Facilities at a major airport and has more than two decades of experience in private engineering consulting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in transportation engineering.

Chris Styles has joined the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority as Director of Airport Badging and Security.

In this role, he leads strategic initiatives and oversees all aspects of airport credentialing and security operations at Nashville International Airport. His responsibilities include ensuring compliance with Transportation Security Administration regulations, managing identification and access control systems, coordinating with federal security partners, enhancing safety protocols, and streamlining credentialing services.

Styles brings over 15 years of aviation operations and leadership experience. He most recently served at Tampa International Airport in operations business partnering and project management, where he managed multimillion-dollar contracts, fostered strategic business relationships, and led efforts to improve operational efficiency and passenger experience. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at American Airlines overseeing operations across multiple airports. He is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives and holds a private pilot’s license.

Keith Brune has joined McFarland Johnson as a Project Executive, based in the firm’s Hollywood, Florida office.

In this role, he will support the strategic expansion of Executive Program Management services for commercial service airports nationwide, focusing on enhancing program oversight, aligning leadership objectives, and strengthening client engagement at the executive level.

Brune brings over 40 years of leadership experience in the aviation industry, including roles in operational strategy, infrastructure planning, capital program implementation, and organizational development. He is also actively involved with national aviation associations, positioning him to contribute significantly to McFarland Johnson’s efforts in meeting evolving industry needs.

Michael Griffin has been appointed Director of Operations & Maintenance at Lincoln Airport.

In this role, he oversees airfield operations, facility and grounds maintenance, emergency response, security functions, as well as the airport’s safety certification and risk management programs.

Griffin brings significant experience in airport operations and administration. He previously served as Airport Director at Fort Smith Regional Airport, overseeing operations, budget, and infrastructure, and managing more than $68 million in infrastructure projects. He holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from John Brown University and is an Accredited Airport Executive, with active involvement in the Arkansas Airport Operators Association.

Aaron Flake has joined the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority as Director of Parking & Ground Transportation for McGhee Tyson Airport and Downtown Island Airport. ADK Consulting & Executive Search facilitated the recruitment.

In this role, he oversees the financial and operational aspects of parking services, ground transportation, and related areas across both airports.

Flake brings deep expertise in airport operations and strategy. He previously served as Director of Parking & Ground Transportation Business Strategy for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, where he shaped the vision and managed parking, rental car services, shuttle operations, and ground transport providers. His earlier roles include Assistant Vice President at Propark Mobility for The Ohio State University’s parking system and Commercial Manager at Ontario International Airport Authority. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and is a Certified Member with the American Association of Airport Executives.

Jaime Edrosa has been appointed Airport Director at Addison Airport, one of the largest general aviation airports in the United States. 

In this role, he oversees operations and strategic development for the airport, a self-sustaining enterprise contributing significantly to the region’s economic vitality.

Edrosa brings more than two decades of experience in airport operations, aviation security, construction management, and public administration. He most recently served as Aviation Division Manager at Cincinnati Municipal Airport, where he led administration, operations, capital improvement planning, and community engagement. He has also held key roles at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Amazon Air’s Global Hub, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, and Q&D Construction’s aviation projects division. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management and Spanish from the University of Dubuque and is a licensed private pilot with an instrument rating.

Daniel Brown has been appointed as Director of Operations at Eastern Iowa Airport.

In this role, he oversees environmental management, facilities, maintenance, airport operations, and safety functions at the airport.

Brown brings more than 15 years of experience creating operational programs and defining policy, procedures, and structures for large-scale airport operations. He most recently served as Vice President of Facility Management at Nashville International Airport, managing a team of over 120 employees and more than 300 contractors responsible for maintenance, environmental, and safety functions across Nashville International and John C. Tune airports. His earlier roles include positions with SIGMA Engineering Solutions, Tigerbrain Engineering, Fluor, and L-3 Crestview Aerospace, and he also served in the U.S. Air Force. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics, aviation safety and management, and a master’s degree in aeronautics and aviation operations management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives.