Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is celebrating excellence in the aviation industry following the notable achievements of nearly two dozen of its operations team members. Key among these is the recent appointment of Graham Ritz, SJC operations supervisor, as Northern California director of the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE).
Ritz was elected during the organization’s 75th Annual Summer 2021 Hybrid Conference in Reno, Nevada, in August. He also serves as vice chair of SWAAAE’s Academic Relations Committee and Young Professionals Committee.
Over the course of the pandemic, employees from SJC’s airport operations team received 21 degree or other aviation-related certifications. Each did so as essential workers on site at the airport.
The staff members in the Airport’s Operations Division who received a certification or degree include:
AAAE Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Operations
- Adam Quartarolo
- Anabertha Camarillo-Hatem
- Gabe Garcia-Olea
- Michael Glazer
- Nathaniel Mak
- Nick Hightower
- Rafaela Meraz
- Sherrilynn Sledge
AAAE Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Graham Ritz
- Michael Glazer (2nd certification)
- Noah Daneman
AAAE Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Security
- Adam Belfield
- Gabe Garcia-Olea (2nd certification)
- Gabe Hernandez
- Graham Ritz (2nd certification)
AAAE Certified Member (CM)
- Alex Castillo
- Michael Winans
ACI – Terminal & Landside Operations
- Jenny Dang
ACI – Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Rosalyn Bond
University Master’s Degree
- Jason Aldridge
LEED Green Associate Certification (renewal)
- Michael Winans
Commenting on being appointed the Northern California director, Ritz thanked his coworkers and good friends in the industry for appointing him. “I’m excited to continue the growth and development of our young professionals in our industry," he said. "As always, I’m lucky, fortunate, and thankful to do what I do.”
Ritz, who also has his private pilot's license, graduated from Lewis University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration. There he cultivated his passion for airport operations and management. In his five years at SJC, he has worked on the airport operations team, focusing on terminal management, and has managed the airport’s internship program, providing mentorship, leadership and opportunities for future aviation professionals.
Judy Ross, assistant director of aviation at SJC, also serves SWAAAE’s executive team as chair of the Ethics Committee and Nominating Committee and is the chapter’s immediate past president. Ross is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the governing body of SWAAAE.
“As the immediate past president of SWAAAE, I could not be more pleased at the election of one of SJC’s very own young leaders to the post of SWAAAE Northern California director,” said Ross. “We are so proud of Graham and each member of our team, not only for their achievements, but for how they strive for excellence every day. Their accomplishments within the aviation industry show the depth and the strength of our SJC team, as well as the individual commitments to providing the best level of service for our customers.”
SWAAAE members include airport representatives primarily from the states of California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. Since its founding in 1947, the organization has focused on representing public use airports as well as those interested in and working for the benefit of aviation.
