Airport Aviation Management Expert Witness

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

As an Accredited Airport Manager, I was active in airport management for more than 29 years with considerable knowledge in airport management and operations, including airport operations, maintenance, planning and development, facilities management, project and construction management, budgeting and financial management. As Department Chair of the Department of Aviation at the University of Central Missouri, I oversaw a department that offered a comprehensive Part 141 (and Part 142 in conjunction with Higher Power Aviation, Fort Worth, Texas) Flight Program and a department that was accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The department owned and operated a fleet of 14 training aircraft, as well as operating the university owned airport (Skyhaven Municipal Airport, MO). Finally, I am an Advanced Online Facilitator at the University of Phoenix with a specialization in adult education.

Educational Background

Ph.D. Northcentral University, Core studies in Business Administration with a specialization in Aviation/Aerospace Management.
M.A.S. Degree in Aeronautical Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide Campus.
B.S. Degree in Aviation Management, Middle Tennessee State University.
Past and Current Clients include:

• Murry, Morin, and Hermin
• Cunningham Swaim, LLP
• Vernis & Bowling of Northwest Florida, P.A.
• Mahoney & Keane, LLP
• Current Courses Florida Institute of Technology – Online and Ground
• Airport Operations, Aviation Security, Airport Planning, Airport Management, Transportation Logistics, Advanced Aviation Research, Advanced
• Aviation Management Internship, Thesis
• Current Courses the University of Phoenix* – Online
• Strategic Management Capstone and Operations Management
• *I have taught at (UOP) since 1996 both online and on-ground and hold an Advanced Online Facilitator Certification with a specialization in adult education.

Professional Experience

Prior to my current position as an Associate Professor of Aviation Management at FIT, I was a Full Professor of Aviation Management and Chair of the Department of Aviation at the University of Central Missouri for 7 years: stepping down from the Chair position in August of 2012. Prior to this, I was an Assistant Professor of Aviation at Florida Memorial University in Miami, Florida and Deputy Director of Aviation for the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. I joined the Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) in 1998, overseeing the operations, maintenance, and planning and development sections of BCAD. I have 29 years of airport management experience including the Director of Aviation for the El Paso International Airport, Texas; Manager of the Operations Division, Washington National Airport, Washington, DC; Director of the Eastern Iowa Regional Airport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Manager of Smith-Reynolds Airport, Winston-Salem, NC.
I am also an Independent Aviation Management Expert Witness specializing in airport management litigation services. I most recently represented the County of Los Angeles, California (Defendant) and the City Lake Wales, Florida (Defendant) in litigation involving wrongful death and a local Fixed Base Operator (FL). The legal firms for these cases on behalf of the defendants were Cunningham and Swaim, LLP, – (LA), and Murry, Morin, and Herman, PA – (FL).

Industry Certifications and Licenses

• Accredited Airport Manager (AAE) – American Association of Airport Executives
• FAA Commercial Pilot/Advanced Ground Instructor
• Advanced Certified Online Facilitator Certification – University of Phoenix

Recognitions & Awards

• Award of Appreciation from the Society of American Military Engineers for Services Rendered to the Society
• Award for “Outstanding Service” from the City of El Paso, Texas in recognition of leadership at the El Paso International Airport
• Award from the Mayor of the City of El Paso Texas for “Recognition for Dedication and Service Provided the Citizens of El Paso, Texas”
• Leadership and Contribution by Council Woman Barbara Perez from the City of El Paso, Texas
• Appreciation of Outstanding Cooperation from the United States Secret Service
• Community Recognition Award from the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
• Teacher of the year – University of Phoenix
• Teacher of the year – (Aviation Department) –Florida Memorial University
• Scholar of the year (Aviation Department) Florida Memorial University – four years
• Honored Faculty Member Presentation by the University of Phoenix
• You Make a Difference Teaching Recognition (Aviation Department) – University of Central Missouri

Additional Duties

I fulfill responsibilities as a member of the faculty by teaching and engaging in scholarship and service. I also serve as a Exam Proctor for the American Association of Airport Executives Certified Manager (CM) Exam; serve as the Academic Advisor to the Collegiate Aviation Business Executives Students Association within the College of Aeronautics; and, serve as a member if the FIT Academic Program Assessment Committee for the CoA.
Accreditation Team Visits as Chair or Team Member include:
DEA University; Dubai, UAE 2008, Visiting Team Member for the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Abu Dhabi – UAE
Florida Institute of Technology, Florida 2012, Visiting Team Member for Aviation Accreditation Board International, Auburn, Alabama – USA
Emirates Aviation University, Dubai, UAE 2012, Visiting Team Chair for the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Abu Dhabi – UAE
*Note: I am currently a Visiting Team Member of the Aviation Accreditation Association International.

Current Research:

I am actively pursuing research on the concept of the Multi-Airport Logistics Systems (MLS), and comparing the performance of cargo and passengers transport modes in the U.S. MLSs. Under the concept of the MLS, the features and the mechanisms of the MLS are analyzed by utilizing case studies on the MLSs in the U.S., especially the Northeast MLS, and the applying complexity theory to the analysis. By contrasting and comparing the various logistics modes in these MLSs, along with their concepts and features, the mechanisms of the MLS are analyzed with a focus on the coordination of cargo development among airports. This provides a framework with a focus on regional airport cargo development within the same regions.
I am also active in the research of Runway Incursions and Runway Safety. The U.S. airport system experiences approximately one runway incursion per week, which is classified as significant or a barely avoided collision. Runway incursions are divided into three classification types. These types include pilot errors, operational errors, and vehicle errors. After type, runway incursions are further stratified into four distinct categories by increasing severity, ranging from category D, the least severe, to category A, the most severe.
In the wake of recent terrorist events around the world, I am also actively engaged in issues dealing with prevention of terrorist attacks at airports and airlines. This research has identified the need for airport and airline managers to prepare their airports in the event of terrorist attacks. This preparation includes the recognition of terrorist intentions and characteristics in today’s world, types of potential attacks, recognizing terrorist activity, and incorporating heightened anti-terrorism awareness measures into airport emergency planning efforts.
Finally, as an Ambassador to NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratories, I also feel compelled to research the future of space flight. Space flight is already attracting interest from tourists and potential space-tourism companies such as Englishman Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, which aims “by the end of the decade… to make it possible for almost anyone to visit the final frontier at an affordable price.” According to a recent survey, 60% of respondents would like to take a holiday in space. Such holidays look more likely now that the $10 million Ansari XPrize that was awarded to the SpaceShip One consortium. As a result, the global space community is currently undergoing a transition phase that is prevalent on several levels (and is likely to continue for the next 10 plus years). First, the American, Russian, and European space programs are slowly shifting their sights from orbital science and research missions to efforts to explore and colonize Mars. Finally, space entrepreneurs and their investors are just beginning to tap into the economic opportunities afforded by the nascent private space flight industry.

Selected Publications
More to be displayed on Full CV

Peer Reviewer:

• The Aeronautical Journal, Royal Aeronautical Society, London, England
• International Journal of Applied Aviation Studies – FAA, USA
• International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, USA
• International Journal of Aviation Management, Olney, Bucks, UK
• Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research (JAAER)

Dissertation and Thesis Committees:

• Sanjai Rahul, (Forthcoming), Aviation Security with the Implementation of Airport Body Scanners, DBA in Business Administration, Open University of Mauritius, Réduit – Chair of Committee.
• Safak Aktemur (2015), Review of Aviation Research: A Content Analysis of Articles Published in the Collegiate Aviation Review, 2007–2012, Florida
• Institute of Technology – Committee Member.
• Ulreen Jones, (2015, November), Causal Factors Related to the Incidence of Pilot Deviation Runway Incursions, PhD in Aviation Sciences, College of Aeronautics, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida – Committee Member.
• Hussain Alhallaf, (2016, February), Examining the Relationship between Factors Affecting the Aviation Profession and the Concept of Aviation
• Professionalism, PhD in Aviation Sciences, College of Aeronautics, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida – Committee Member.
• Brodenick Sharp (2009, November), Assessing Flight Safety Differences between US Major and Regional Airlines, PhD in Business Administration,
• Department of Business Administration, Northcentral University, Prescott Valley, Arizona – External Committee Member.