THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY FALL 2019

TERMINAL REINVENTION We take a look inside the airports of the future, as depots become destinations

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Fall 2019 FROM THE PRESIDENT 8 22 Volume 15, No. 2 Lift, the alumni magazine of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is published twice annually (spring and fall) by the division of In the fight for revenue, airports and Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement.

airlines have promised us a more Copyright © 2019 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University convenient, customized passenger Florida/Arizona/Worldwide 1 Aerospace Blvd. experience. Major airports are using Daytona Beach, FL 32114 All rights reserved. digital and automation technologies Senior Vice President of Philanthropy 6 10 to expedite baggage handling, and & Alumni Engagement Marc Archambault they are improving wayfinding Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Bill Thompson (’87) with digital displays and directions PHILANTHROPY & ALUMNI delivered to your smartphone. COMMUNICATIONS Executive Director of Communications Anthony Brown Increasingly, airports will use Wi-Fi ground operations: cargo, baggage, fuel, Senior Director of Communications/Editor Sara Withrow access points to identify optimal catering and de-icing. Assistant Director of Communications 12 locations for concessions, vending New designs will apply green materials Melanie Stawicki Azam machines and retailers. and energy-efficient options that create Assistant Director of Digital Engagement & Philanthropy IN OTHER WORDS ALUMNI @WORK There are also infrastructure — or re-create — airports with minimal Alan Marcos Pinto Cesar 5 A Different 20 Silver Screen efficiencies in the works that are not so environmental impact and maximum CONTRIBUTORS Life Path Attraction apparent to travelers. sustainability. To minimize cost and Tom Isenburg (‘70) 12 Attending Embry-Riddle Nathan VonMinden applies According to International Airport risk, our engineers will work with new Michaela Jarvis helped Tom Isenburg engineering background to Transport Association (IATA) projections, simulation and software tools to visualize Daryl LaBello, Multimedia Producer Terminal move on from Vietnam a new career as a screenwriter the United States will spend between and evaluate infrastructure design and David Massey, Multimedia Producer and director Connor McShane, Multimedia Producer $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion on global assess key performance factors. WINGS OF LEGACY Ryan Mosher, Assistant Director, Sports Reinvention GIVING TO EMBRY-RIDDLE airport infrastructure by 2030. This As a university that is focused on Information Airport managers are 6 A Pilot’s Life investment will help the industry aviation from the top down and the Ginger Pinholster, Assistant Vice President Photos and personal documents 22 The Boeing for News & Research Communications transforming their facilities meet demand and improve operations ground up, we tap the expertise in all of tell a colorful story of No. 5 BFTS Company Creates Published by Casual Astronaut to emphasize the passenger and safety. our colleges — Aviation, Arts & Sciences, flight instructor Frederick Brittain a Permanent Managing Editor experience. But can they Just as data analytics and connectivity Business, Engineering, and Security Colleen Ringer FLIGHT PATH $3M Endowment are transforming the efficiency of aircraft & Intelligence — to give our students Creative Director keep up with demand? Scholarship aims to increase Marc Oxborrow and airspace management, airports multidisciplinary insight and collaborative 8 Building Bridges diversity in the pilot workforce Art Director Nazia Taylor translates differences are becoming more internet-enabled, opportunities that prepare them to Felicia Penza into understanding through ALUMNI IN ACTION functioning as self-contained cities. integrate solutions in an increasingly Chief Client Officer Paul Peterson workplace program 24 Sharing the Bounty This requires tremendous collaboration connected industry. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is Family farm started by alumni between disciplines that were once Our alumni likewise lead the technology an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity CHECK OUT THE 10 Drone Control couple helps feed local community separate specialties. curve. Many of you are the change agents Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, LIFT WEBSITE! Unique technology introduces Our College of Engineering is who are directing the digital transformation age, national origin, disability, veteran’s status or sexual orientation. Read Lift on your desktop, a safe way to neutralize rogue preparing civil engineers to become of aviation/aerospace, as we know (or Nonprofit identification: 59-0936101. tablet or phone, and get drones, even in civilian areas “internet-enabled designers” who will knew) it. Your successes create nodes of Have you moved? Send address changes immediate access to video or unsubscribe requests to: and other web extras. go beyond traditional master plans to connectivity for our students to follow. Embry-Riddle Office of Philanthropy & contribute to digital master plans that Alumni Data Services, 1 Aerospace Blvd., lift.erau.edu Daytona Beach, FL 32114 integrate air traffic, security monitoring, Sincerely, Email: [email protected] closed-circuit TV, private land mobile Visit: alumni.erau.edu/update-my-info radio and public Wi-Fi. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 2 Chatter 4 Feedback 26 Alumni News 31 Class Notes Their work will encompass using the P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. News and notes Embry-Riddle alumni A message from the Find out what your cloud and collaboration tools, sensors President from the world of and friends offer executive director, fellow alumni are

and processors that will improve airside Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University LABELLO AND DARYL MASSEY AND DAVID LABELLO; DARYL KACINSKAS; ARUNAS MARK LIPCZYNSKI; BRITTAIN; VICTORIA OF COURTESY LEFT: FROM BOTTOM CLOCKWISE Embry-Riddle comments and opinions upcoming events and more up to now

ON THE COVER: Illustration by Arunas Kacinskas

LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 1 NEWS & NOTES FROM THE WORLD OF EMBRY-RIDDLE New Chancellor Named CHATTER Accomplished scholar Anette M. Karlsson to lead Prescott Campus

Anette M. Karlsson, Ph.D., a “Dr. Karlsson brings stellar Investigator Award, the University mechanical and aerospace engineer academic credentials, superb of Delaware’s E.A. Trabant Award for and a highly accomplished academic executive experience, a passion for Women’s Equity and the Young Scholars leader, is the newest chancellor for both engineering and aviation and a Award of the Francis Alison Society, Embry-Riddle’s campus in Prescott, team-oriented approach to her new among others. ALTIMETER: Arizona, effective Aug. 1. position as chancellor,” says Embry- — Ginger Pinholster HIGH POINTS AT Karlsson most recently served Riddle President P. Barry Butler. “I EMBRY-RIDDLE as a professor and dean of the have complete confidence in her ability Washkewicz College of Engineering to lead our Prescott Campus. I was Embry-Riddle’s Unmanned at Cleveland State University, since impressed by her vision, her humility Aircraft Systems program 2012. Earlier in her career, she worked and her proven commitment to faculty, won first place and its Gaetz as a research/design engineer for Saab students and staff.” Aerospace Institute won The six undergraduate students who participated in the 2019 Aerospace Maintenance Competition Missiles and Saab Aerospace, and A fellow of the American Society third place in the Training EAGLE won first place in the School Division. of Mechanical Engineering, Karlsson & Education Organization as a technical attaché of material WORDSMITH science for Sweden’s Embassy in earned her Ph.D. in mechanical and category at the 2019 Airports + Aviation Association for Unmanned the United States. aerospace engineering at Rutgers Vehicles Systems International She succeeds Frank Ayers (’87), University, within the area of applied Put your knowledge to the XCELLENCE Awards. AMS Champs who after a decade of leading the mechanics. She has published more test with our digital crossword Eagles ace global aerospace maintenance competition Prescott Campus has returned to than 80 peer-reviewed international puzzle, created by Faculty The Prescott Campus Daytona Beach, Florida, to be a journal articles; and is the recipient of Emeritus Alexander Wells. Golden Eagles Flight Team professor for the College of Aviation. the U.S. Office of Naval Research Young lift.erau.edu/word-fall19 finished third overall at the n Aviation Maintenance Science (AMS) National Intercollegiate Flying “We are proud of team from Embry-Riddle claimed first Association’s SAFECON our students for competition, while the Daytona place in an international competition, Beach Campus Eagles Flight overtaking challengers from 27 other their technical Team finished seventh overall. A schools by more swiftly and accurately performance, Three Trustees Join Embry-Riddle Board completing 30 timed tasks. Senior Director of Athletics Six undergraduate students participated in as well as their Marathon runner, astronaut-scientist and alumnus are among the new recruits Development Matt Wilson the 2019 Aerospace Maintenance Competition, sportsmanship. received the 2019 Rising Star organized by the Aerospace Maintenance The Embry-Riddle Board of Trustees Award from the National Council and presented by Snap-on Industrial, They exemplified confirmed three new members in March Association of Athletic April 9-11, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia. to help provide sound governance and Development Directors. the Eagle spirit.” — “Thanks to the exemplary training Embry- strategic direction for the university. — P. BARRY BUTLER, PRESIDENT The new trustees are Janet Kavandi, Student-athlete Jordan Riddle provides to its students, we can see Bramblett (’19) won the the future of aviation maintenance is in good Ph.D., scientist and NASA astronaut; 2019 NAIA Track & Field hands,” says Bart Wignall, president of Snap-on “It was an outstanding learning experience Neal J. Keating, chair, president and National Championship for the Industrial, in an award letter to the team. for our students,” says Chris Piccone (’11, ’18), CEO of Kaman Corporation; and Steve marathon event with a time of “We are proud of our students for their laboratory instructional specialist, who managed Nordlund (’90), vice president and 2:33:43.33. technical performance, as well as their and coached the team, along with Earl Sault Jr. general manager of Boeing NeXt. sportsmanship,” says Embry-Riddle President P. (’98), AMS training and supply specialist. “This Janet Kavandi has logged 33 Embry-Riddle Professor Barry Butler. “They exemplified the Eagle spirit, year, they were exposed to advanced, modern days in space and 535 low-Earth orbits. Alan Liu received a $670,000 demonstrating the highest standards of aviation tools and top-of-the-line diagnostic equipment.” While at the Johnson Space Center, National Science Foundation safety and responsibility.” The 2018 Boeing Pilot & Technician she served as a mission specialist on From left: Neal J. Keating, Janet Kavandi and Steve Nordlund. grant to install a special estimates a worldwide need for three space shuttle missions and as radar instrument at the Andes In addition to winning the No. 1 ranking Outlook LIDAR Observatory in Cerro in the competition’s School Division, two 754,000 new aviation maintenance technicians NASA’s deputy chief of the astronaut a $5.4 billion industrial distributor, and CEO of next-generation platforms, cargo and Pachón, Chile. students on the Embry-Riddle team won over the next 20 years. Exhibitions such as office, director of flight crew operations at GKN Aerospace, a $1 billion aerospace passenger air vehicles and passenger- individual awards. Ben Henriquez won an AMC the Aerospace Maintenance Competition help and deputy director of health and subsidiary of GKN, Plc. carrying hypersonic aircraft. Embry-Riddle Air Force ROTC Professionalism Award and Immanuel Bankole raise awareness of the importance of aviation human performance. In addition to his professional activities, Prior to his service with Boeing, Nordlund Honor Guard and drill teams secured a Future Maintenance Professional maintenance technicians, Piccone says. Since 2016, she has directed the Keating competes in triathlons and worked for Insitu and IBM. And, from 1990- placed first in all competition Award, a scholarship provided by PistonPower Embry-Riddle’s participation in the competition NASA Glenn Research Center in marathons. He is a three-time finisher of 98, he served as chief information officer at categories and won the and the trade association PAMA. would not have been possible without generous Cleveland, Ohio. the Boston Marathon. Embry-Riddle. An alumnus, Nordlund earned Southern California Invitational The other winning AMS team members travel support from Airbus, as well as advance Neal J. Keating is a longtime Steve Nordlund (’90) leads the Boeing a B.S. in Aeronautical Studies, with an Drill Meet (SCIDM) Senior were Tristan Anderson, Christopher Lambert practice time at JetBlue’s training facilities. “We aerospace executive. Before joining NeXt mission to define the future of emphasis in Aviation Management. Championship award at the are very grateful for their support,” Piccone says. Kaman Corporation in 2007, he was 54th annual SCIDM. and Chris Culver. Greg Algarin served in a urban, regional and global mobility. This To learn more about all three of the new

critical backup role. — Ginger Pinholster INDUSTRIAL OF SNAP-ON COURTESY LABELLO DARYL CONNOR MCSHANE; BOTTOM: TOP: chief operating officer at Hughes Supply, includes oversight of the development trustees, visit lift.erau.edu/3trustees.

2 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 3 COMMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM EMBRY-RIDDLE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS IN OTHER WORDS Sidebar Head FEEDBACK University Sidebar body, sometimes copy is bold like a lead in, URLs are Medium, sidebar italic copy ‘Diversity Is an Issue in Aviation’ A Different looks like this As a former National Transportation Safety Board Chief of Staff to the chairman and having had the pleasure of working Life Path with member and past chairman of the NTSB Chris Hart and now retired NTSB Moving on from Vietnam managing director Dennis Jones (’80), I wholeheartedly agree with your response to BY TOM ISENBURG (’70) the state of our industry as it relates to race [spring 2019: Feedback]. However, I do not I joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute in January 1967 as Moderator Marc Bernier leads the spring Lift, believe it’s just a black or white issue but a an aviation science management student. I had officially entered Off the Page discussion with panelists, from diversity issue as a whole. Marine Corps Active Reserve status after my tours in Vietnam. I left, Edward Onwe, Sherry J. Ortiz, Damon J. Above: Tom Isenburg and his wife, Linda, D’Agostino and Stephen M. Powell. As an ERAU graduate, I have spent well fully expected to be called back up. who passed away in 2017. Below: Tom at over 20 years in the aviation industry, and That never happened. the Daytona Beach Campus in 1968. the issue of race in the aviation industry has I always wanted to fly and build airplanes, and the Embry- FROM THE EDITOR been close and personal. We should all start Riddle faculty and staff provided the support I needed as a student thinking of ways we can address this issue — while also respecting me as a combat veteran. sparking protests and riots he annual Lift, Off the Page event brought four alumni business with the industry to bring about positive Classes were held in the administration building, a two-story in 1968. Veterans from both change for future generations. wooden structure near the airport terminal. In late 1968, our schools agreed that our time leaders to campus in April. This interactive business roundtable At AERTRON Inc., we help clients classes were moved to the first of many quadrant-like buildings in Vietnam was in the past. It addressed the challenges, trends and emerging opportunities in think of ways to foster diversity and where we used to fly our model airplanes — just in time to celebrate was time to move forward into the school’s accreditation as a “special purpose” university. our chosen life paths. aviation business (and beyond). If you missed it, check out the innovation through an inclusive, collaborative environment that welcomes diverse points I married my best friend in September 1968. Linda was an Our 1970 commencement was marked by a number of video at alumni.erau.edu/lifttalks-2019. of view and provides transparency within the emergency room nurse at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, classmates joining the military, while we veterans tried on civilian T aviation and transportation industry. Florida. She would find time to travel with me to the north gate of suits and ties. The high point for me was when then-President This edition of Lift features the growth and transformation of U.S. Cape Canaveral, near Eddy Creek, to watch the Apollo launches; the Jack Hunt presented Linda with a Ph.T.: a degree in “Puttin’ Hubby airports and several alumni who are leading these efforts. Yet another Vishal Amin (’01) most meaningful of which was the launch of Apollo 11 in July 1969. Through.” The award recognized “that he probably never would sign of the booming commercial aviation industry, we got this story B.S. Aeronautical Science Those were the days when you could drive your car onto the Cape have made it without the unselfish cooperation and assistance of and park at the Mission Control and Vehicle Assembly buildings. his wife.” idea from a fellow Eagle. See his letter/suggestion (this page). Do you Airport Expansions in Lift I got a job as a student aide to Dr. Jose Lopez. Occasionally I agree. My pilot’s certificate and my B.S. in Aviation have a story to tell? Is there an interesting topic Lift should explore? Is it possible to cover airport expansions we and Dr. Hortensia Ballina would talk about how they had to Management would not have been possible if Linda hadn’t kept in the ERAU alumni magazine? BNA, LAX emigrate from Cuba to escape the Fidel Castro communist regime. me on track. Tell us about it. Email [email protected]. — SARA WITHROW, EDITOR and LGA all have massive airport expansion My platoon was able to help the North Vietnamese flee to South Embry-Riddle provided a happy isolation that allowed me to plans, which boost commercial real estate Vietnam, to locations that provided emigration transport to enjoy and learn. It took me away from the craziness surrounding and economic development in many cities Australia. We shared stories about how people can make a go at a the Vietnam War, and it fed my passion for aviation and space throughout the world. life in a new country. They made me feel important — and made astronautics. sure I did my homework. Thanks to my time with very smart students and a committed movie nights! I was at Embry-Riddle from Andrew Corum (’07) Another faculty role model was Roger Campbell, who didn’t faculty and staff, I was able to heal from my wartime experience 1993-1998 (five years), and the first two B.S. Professional Aeronautics tolerate wrong answers or lack of interest, but who quietly worked and to find a different life path. were on campus at Doolittle. It’s weird, but with those of us who had trouble keeping up in class. A tough but I went on to enjoy a 45-year career standing up and sustaining I miss the smells (good smells) and had a Editor’s Note: Check out the story in this fair educator, he asked us to detail our “jobs” while in service to our companies, and designing and building aircraft missile radar lot of friends there — so a lot of memories. issue. Thanks, Andrew, for the suggestion. country. He would use those experiences to explain the concepts warning systems, internet routers, servers and even medical Doolittle and Lehman (another smell — that of science and aero engineering. instrumentation products worldwide. downstairs computer lab!) are the only In the fall of 1968, I was asked to participate in a debate Thank you, Eagles. buildings there that I remember — that are regarding the U.S. commitment to the Vietnam War. It was hosted Doolittle Hall TALK TO US still standing. I was back once in 2003. There by nearby Bethune-Cookman College. Military veterans ofCTA both HEAD EDITOR’S NOTE: Isenburg documents his Vietnam experience in his was a storm when I was there, but I still We invite your feedback on Lift schools were on the debate teams. I admired the educatorsCta body copy, book,italics Letters, bold Home 2nd Platoon, Echo (2011). He is the principal ‘Good Smells’ caught up with everyone — old professors content or topics related to the from both schools for their courage to discuss a topic that was owner of Ironmount. His wife of 48 years, Linda, passed away in 2017. I love your magazine and the photo with the and mail center employees/friends. I hope to university. Letters may be edited for musical setups on that stage [spring 2019: make it back again for homecoming. style, length and clarity. Submission Tailwinds] — I want to know more about it! does not guarantee publication. SEND US YOUR STORY In Other Words gives you the opportunity to share your industry-related I love old photos from ERAU like this. I loved Michael Diraimondo (’98) EMAIL: [email protected] or personal perspective with Lift readers. Email submissions/proposals to [email protected].

the student center — the cafeteria — the B.S. Aerospace Engineering ARCHIVES EMBRY-RIDDLE BOTTOM: JOHNSON; JASMINE TOP:

4 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 5 WINGS OF LEGACY nside a yellowing envelope from Riddle-McKay Aero College is a typewritten page — a form, really “He pinned my wings on me. When I went to work at NASA at Cape Canaveral, — that matter-of-factly certifies the flight time of Frederick J. Brittain (’43). He accumulated 2,428 I joined the aero club at Patrick Air Force Base. I made him join as an hours piloting PT-17 Stearmans and AT-6 Texans at instructor so I could have, in my view, the best instructor.” — VICTORIA BRITTAIN the No. 5 British Flying Training School (BFTS). The certificate hints at a rich story: “Mr. Brittain has never been involved in an aircraft accident at Riddle Field. He has flown more hours in Riddle French Connection But his downtime away from work was often Field aircraft than any other pilot at Riddle Field,” When World War II ended, Riddle Field closed. In spent in the sky. “When he wasn’t flying, he was noted an apparently impressed R.V. Walker, the Did You search of revenue, the Embry-Riddle Company in flying,” Victoria says. “Mainly gliders. We took one Ioperations and engineering officer at the school in Miami picked up a contract to provide basic and trip — there was some soaring contest — and he Clewiston, Florida. Know? advanced flight training to French Navy pilots in soared all the way to Las Vegas. My mother [Alicia] Homestead, Florida. Frederick flew to Homestead took us in the car and we followed him all the way A Living Archive ✈✈Embry-Riddle to train the Frenchmen. He then moved on to out, and wherever he landed was where we stayed.” Victoria Brittain, Frederick’s daughter, unloaded six boxes trained French piloting flying boats for commercial airlines: Skyways Frederick’s love of flight was passed down to of that story in May 2019 at the Embry-Riddle archives in President Gen. International and British Guiana Airways. his younger daughter. “He pinned my wings on Daytona Beach, Florida. The photos, personal letters and Charles de Frederick returned to Miami in 1950 to follow me,” Victoria says, who got her glider and private flight logs recording nearly 30,000 hours document her Gaulle’s son, John Paul Riddle in his new business, Riddle Airlines. pilot certificates from her dad. “When I went to late father’s life and career in the skies. Philippe, to “Mr. John Paul Riddle was president during the early work at NASA at Cape Canaveral, I joined the “It’s very uncommon that someone has that much fly in 1945-46. years and was a wonderful friend,” he wrote in a aero club at Patrick Air Force Base. I made him material, and it’s that well organized,” says Archivist Philippe later retrospective résumé. join as an instructor so I could have, in my view, Kevin Montgomery. “Especially when it’s all about one became an the best instructor.” particular person. That always adds color to the Embry- admiral and Air Ways Though Frederick didn’t have a formal education Riddle story.” inspector Frederick was a captain at Riddle Airlines for 28 past high school and flight training, Victoria — a Frederick, who descended from a family of actors general of the years, through the company’s name change to military aviator herself — once described him as, “the and scenic artists, specialized in color. French Navy. Airlift International (1963) and its acquisition of Slick most proficient and educated aviator and engineer On the back cover of his first flight log are cryptic He retired Airways (1966). During that time, he fathered Victoria that I know. He is an aviation artist. ... When he diary entries — dated one-liners under the heading, in 1982. and her sister, Jacqueline. The family would often fly teaches, he imparts this artistry on the students.” “Things I think of.” They mark his first glider flights to meet him to spend time together between routes, But for all her admiration, Victoria does surpass — which became a lifelong passion — a Christmas Victoria says. her father — just. “I did get one on him,” she says Day road trip to perform snap rolls, and one on New with a smile and a chuckle, revealing a fact that she Year’s Day 1942, less than a month after the attack ribbed her dad about. “I got rotary wing.” on Pearl Harbor: “A new year, a new WAR. What can you use a pilot for?” Frederick J. Brittain, pictured left, EDITOR’S NOTE: Frederick passed away in 2002. Exactly one year later, Frederick had completed passed on his love of flying to his Victoria has preserved her father’s memory at daughter, Victoria Brittain, below, Frederick J. Brittain was a flight instructor for a refresher course at Riddle Field and on Jan. 3, who plans to donate his photos, frederickjbrittain.com. She plans to donate this Embry-Riddle in the 1940s, which included a stint 1943, he started instructing British cadets for the personal letters and flight logs collection to the Embry-Riddle Archives. teaching French Navy pilots in Homestead, Florida. Royal Air Force (RAF). Operated by the Riddle-McKay documenting 30,000 hours in the skies to the Embry-Riddle Archives. Aero College, one of six divisions of then-Riddle Aeronautical Institute, No. 5 BFTS trained 1,800 RAF cadets from 1941 to 1945. Frederick’s acumen as an instructor and his per- sonality earned him lasting friendships. Victoria’s collection is dotted with letters and Christmas cards A Pilot’s Life from her father’s former British trainees, most of whom were bomber pilots. Photos and personal documents “It rather shook me flying over the English country side for the first time,” Sgt. C.L. Norman wrote in July tell a colorful story of No. 5 BFTS 1944. “I was glad that I paid attention to the naviga- tion while I was at Riddle Field. It doesn’t do very flight instructor Frederick Brittain much good here, to fly the ‘iron compass’ (railways).” Norman continued: “I must thank you again for the great trouble you took to get me ‘on the ball.’ I did so much enjoy my training with you, I only wish I could come over to Florida, [and] go through BY ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR advanced again. All of us here long to get hold of an AT again, [and] do some real flying in decent weather, but I think we have all seen the last of the

good old Texan.” BRITTAIN VICTORIA OF COURTESY BRITTAIN VICTORIA OF COURTESY AND RIGHT: TOP LABELLO; DARYL LEFT: BOTTOM

6 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 7 FLIGHT PATH rowing up in the South Pacific island “Helping to take the mystery out of ordinary nation of Fiji, Nazia Taylor (’13) was used things made it safe to then look at the more sensitive to interacting with people from different aspects of a culture or religion,” Wheeler says. backgrounds. Fiji is a melting pot of Today, Bridges is one of 22 distinct Employee cultures and religions, she says. When she Business Resource Groups at American Airlines, moved to the United States at age 15, she which represent the employees and their beliefs, noticed it was different. nationalities and backgrounds. Building “It was a huge culture change,” says Taylor, who earned an M.S. in Management Path to Success with an emphasis in Aviation/Aerospace In 2010, Taylor entered graduate school at Embry- Industrial Management from Embry-Riddle. Riddle. Her courses were online, but she says she Bridges GTaylor’s unique perspective and background have received a lot of detailed feedback and personal contributed to her success as a senior project man- attention from her instructors. ager at American Airlines in Tempe, Arizona, and fueled “The biggest thing I learned at Embry-Riddle is Nazia Taylor translates her passion for bringing diverse people together. That you need to keep improving yourself,” she says. passion took root when she volunteered to lead the differences into understanding Employee Business Resource Group: Bridges. through workplace program Founded to “bridge” the gaps among the airline’s culturally diverse workforce, the Bridges’ mem- “I want to make a difference — bership grew from eight to more than 300 during Taylor’s six-year tenure as president. It even drew that’s what drives me.” the attention of CEO Doug Parker, who attended its — NAZIA TAYLOR BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM multicultural events. “Bridges was a platform where I felt I could really In the meantime, at US Airways, she started make a difference,” Taylor says. It was an opportunity working for the heavy maintenance planning team. to change people’s attitudes from “just tolerating Taylor says it bothered her that she didn’t know individuals to understanding and accepting them,” more about the mechanical side of aviation. So, she she explains. enrolled in a local program to earn her airframe and powerplant certificate. Diversity in Action Working a full-time job, attending graduate school A third-generation Fijian, Taylor grew up attending online and earning her A&P certificate, all at the same a Muslim school. Her great-grandparents were time, made for a grueling schedule. But, Taylor says, indentured laborers from India, before immigrating to “I wanted to prove to the vendors and my co-workers the former British colony. that I could do this. When you work in the industry, However, she says, “I did not experience people’s lives are at risk, and people need to trust you.” discrimination until I came to the U.S. I embraced diversity, because that is how I was raised.” Family Matters Her high school in California was diverse, but Just as she was completing her graduate degree, students tended to stick with people of similar back- Taylor and her husband, Arthur, found out they were grounds and ethnicities. Taylor says she disliked expecting twin girls. She was four months pregnant the cliques and refused to limit her friendships with when she walked across the stage at Embry-Riddle’s people based on religion, race or ethnicity. commencement ceremony. After earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, Taylor’s life took a new turn when her daughters Taylor worked in banking. When she moved to were born. The twins arrived early — at just 25 Arizona, she got an entry-level job at US Airways. It weeks — both born weighing less than 2 pounds. was then that she discovered she “loved” aviation. Taylor stayed home for eight months to care for her At US Airways, which merged with American daughters. Today, the girls, who will turn 6 this year, Airlines in 2013, Taylor attended a meeting hosted are thriving. by Bridges, which started as a multi-faith group that Beyond work and family, Taylor says she wants to focused mostly on Islam. Tapped to be president in continue to unite people through mutual understand- 2009, she decided to revamp the group and expand ing and education, and make a positive impact, espe- its scope. cially in her chosen field of aviation. “One of the most important principles Nazia and I She is an active member of and adviser and coach held true to was finding ways to show that our diver- to the president of the Phoenix Chapter of Bridges.

Nazia Taylor served as sity as human beings was not only acceptable, but And, since 2018, she’s served as president of the president of the Employee understandable,” says Tandy Wheeler, who served Indian Employee Business Resource Group. Business Resource Group: with Taylor as vice president and treasurer of Bridges. “I want to be more involved, give back and Bridges for six years, during which time membership grew Bridges’ events included everything from demon- become more engaged,” Taylor says. “I want to

from eight to more than 300. MARK LIPCZYNSKI strations of Japanese calligraphy to Greek dancing. make a difference — that’s what drives me.”

8 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 9 y 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expects “Rather than destroying the drone, we guide it to a safe landing place. The some 1.1 million small, hobbyist-type unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, to take to the skies — more than twice as technology will counter unauthorized drones effectively, while ensuring low many as in 2017. collateral damage and low cost per engagement.” — HOUBING SONG, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR More drones mean more incursions into sensitive airspaces, Drone particularly in and around airports, and that’s a potential threat to the safe operation of commercial airliners filled with passengers and cargo. While most drone operators undoubtedly strive to fly responsibly, some may be unaware of the rules regarding Under a newly inked licensing agreement, Embry-Riddle and them with channel-jamming electromagnetic noise. Military and Control restricted airspace. A few may even have criminal intentions. Kaminis will refine the concept, build a prototype and pursue corporate drone-jamming technologies do exist, Kaminis says, Assistant Professor Houbing Song and Ph.D. students Yongxin Liu and related products, according to Stephanie A. Miller, executive but the cost of those systems makes them inaccessible for Unique technology BJian Wang have invented a fix for the problem: a technology that detects director of technology transfer for Embry-Riddle’s Research Park. smaller airports or private venues. and commandeers unauthorized drones. By comparison, Song’s system could be manufactured at a introduces a safe “Our solution is friendly,” Song says. “Rather than destroying the The Drone Problem far more reasonable price, Kaminis says. It would also work over drone, we guide it to a safe landing place. The technology will counter The need for Song’s invention is clear. Near-miss events between long distances and in a variety of settings. way to neutralize unauthorized drones effectively, while ensuring low collateral damage drones and aircraft have been on the rise. Last year, unauthorized This approach offers important advantages, says Kaminis, and low cost per engagement.” drones forced a costly shutdown at England’s Gatwick Airport. whose company already markets another counter-drone rogue drones, even Song and his students recently teamed up with international Reports of drone sightings from pilots, citizens and law technology. “My existing product is intrusive — it’s considered a entrepreneur Sotirios George Kaminis. The son of a shipping industry leader enforcement have increased significantly over the past few years, weapon because it jams drones and makes them fall out of the in civilian areas on the Greek island of Chios, Kaminis fell in love with Embry-Riddle in the with the FAA now receiving more than 100 such reports each sky. The Embry-Riddle technology is non-intrusive, so it is ideal 1980s when he attended classes at the Daytona Beach Campus. “In all my month. In 2018, a separate Embry-Riddle team scanned the skies for civilian applications and easy to export, as it doesn’t fall under travels over the years, I never forgot Embry-Riddle,” says Kaminis, founder over Daytona Beach International Airport for 13 days and spotted ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations).” and CEO of Drone Defense Systems. “It’s the most prestigious aeronautical 73 different DJI-type drones that made 192 separate flights. university in the world — the perfect partner to bring new counter-drone Existing remedies for rogue drones range from dispatching ‘Listening’ with Artificial Intelligence

BY GINGER PINHOLSTER technology to market.” LABELLO AND DARYL MASSEY DAVID BY ILLUSTRATION PHOTO birds of prey to shooting bullets, deploying nets or targeting Song’s proposed system leverages a network of wireless acoustic sensors to identify a flying drone. To distinguish drones from birds, he and his students built a computer-based “brain,” called a neural network, that is continuously learning. After the system confirms a drone, the acoustic sensors, working in tandem with beacon receivers, transmit information to a control center. If the drone is on an unauthorized flight, Song’s system uses sophisticated pattern-recognition techniques to decipher its video-streaming channel and interrupt the broadcast with a warning message. “For each drone,” says Liu, who is currently pursuing his second Ph.D., “the acoustic pattern might be a little different, but we can tell them apart, just as anyone can distinguish between a songbird and the noise of a crow.” The system can also hijack the drone’s communication channel to trigger its predetermined return flight, or otherwise trick the drone into leaving the area, explains Song, who has a background in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity and is the director of the Security and Optimization for Networked Globe Laboratory (SONG Lab) in the Electrical, Computer, Software and Systems Engineering department. “It disrupts communication between the pilot and the drone,” Kaminis says. “It detects the drone, finds out what language the drone speaks, activates an emulation system that mimics the drone’s language and snatches control away from the pilot.” Kaminis is optimistic about the potential for Song’s invention. “When people work together and put their heads together, great things can happen,” he says. “We’re going to make history for Embry-Riddle.” A U.S. patent application has been filed by Embry-Riddle, Assistant Professor Song and his students. Houbing Song, right, and Ph.D. student In the 1980s, Kaminis had to leave Embry-Riddle and return Jian Wang are part to Greece to run his family’s shipping business. He plans now to of a group that has complete his degree. “I look forward to picking up where I left off invented a technology that detects and and reliving being an Eagle. When I do, I will join my youngest son, commandeers Angelos, a current student at the Daytona Beach Campus.” unauthorized drones.

10 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 11 TERMINAL REINVENTION

As increases in U.S. air traffic put pressure on the nation’s aging aviation infrastructure, airport managers are transforming their facilities to emphasize the passenger experience. But can they keep up with demand?

By SARA WITHROW and ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR Illustrations by ARUNAS KACINSKAS

12 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 13 irports aren’t just airports anymore. What Open Skies, Crowded Airports Kim Becker (’97), president and CEO of the San used to be a utilitarian jumping off and Mike Ehl (’83), director of aviation operations for Diego County Regional Airport (SAN) Authority, says landing point for air travelers has become Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-Tac), says SAN is also struggling to keep up with the influx a mecca of experiential commerce. Today’s there is an inescapable irony to air travel today. of passengers. “We’ve had five years of record The Escape Lounge at Oakland passengers enjoy upscale dining and People are flying in style on new, modern aircraft growth,” she says. “Last year (2018), we hit 24 International Airport shopping options, conduct meetings in with in-flight entertainment and technological million passengers. The year before (2017), we were generated $300,000 business-ready conference rooms, get spa advancements that enhance the passenger at 22 million. That was on top of four previous years in non-aeronautical revenue in 2018. treatmentsA and even catch some zzzs in sleep pods — experience, he says. However, when these same of growth.” without ever leaving the terminal. passengers embark and land, they typically walk Becker and SAN are not alone. The Airports All of these upgrades are about much more than through outdated, congested airport facilities that Council International-North America (ACI-NA) making travel more pleasant. They underscore a are more than 40 years old. projects that by 2023, commercial airports in the BY THE growing financial challenge. With more people and Ehl says SEA-Tac — recently named the eighth United States will need more than $128 billion in NUMBERSBY THE cargo flying, the nation’s aging aviation infrastructure largest airport in the country — is a case in point. infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. Another airport funding stream — the passenger is struggling to keep up. To meet the growing demand, “We’ve grown 45% in the last five years,” Citing this figure and the most recent American uNUMBERS.s. commercial facility charge — could help support infrastructure airport managers must expand and enhance their Ehl says. “We’re 70 years old. We have crossed Society of Civil Engineers’ Infrastructure Report U.S. COMMERCIALairports AIRPORTS projects, but it’s currently constrained by an Act of aeronautical operations and customer service facilities. the threshold, now, where the level of service is Card (2017) that gave U.S. airports a just-passing "D" Congress. [See sidebar: Finance Battleground.] The problem is, only one of these things — customer disappointing at best.” grade, Liying Gu (’02), vice president for economic service — is profitable for the airport. What’s more, there is no slowdown coming. affairs and research at ACI-NA, says, “We really need The Customer Is King Enter the next wave of airport innovation. Airport “It’s all deregulated, and [any airline] can come day to spend more money. We need more investment.” Airports aren’t waiting on a hand up from the 493 managers are banking their futures on turning or night. It’s pretty much open skies. … It’s a real Vishal Amin (’01), aviation commissioner for government, though. With an increasing number airports “depots” into destinations, where travelers can turn a challenge nationwide, and I don’t think anyone was the state of Maryland and CEO of Aertron, agrees. of customers at the gates, many of the major time-killing layover into an experience to remember. prepared for it,” he says. “If we are going to be a 21st century economy, we hubs are renovating and expanding — placing an need to continue to invest in new infrastructure to emphasis on how those customers experience support innovation and new technologies, such as their time between flights. It’s all in an attempt to autonomous vehicles, urban air mobility and the $1.4 increase non-aeronautical revenue, which is one integration of unmanned aircraft systems.” trillion-plus in of the keys to helping finance future infrastructure The San Diego County Regional improvements. economic output Airport expanded its Terminal 2 in 2013 Financing the Future “The aeronautical side is a cost-recovery model and is planning to replace Terminal 1, To secure investment to finance airport growth, for U.S. airports,” Gu says. It includes charges which was built in 1967. airport managers have relatively few choices. The collected from the airlines, cargo and general federal government is a key player, but investments aviation activities, and fixed-base operations. The have been flat, at best. The total grant money 11.5 m U.S. government does not allow airports to make a provided through the Airport Improvement Program jobs profit on this income. “But on the non-aeronautical (AIP) — a competitive program that supports side, that’s where innovation comes in,” she says. Federal Aviation Administration-approved projects In addition to traditional non-aeronautical sources and is funded by airline and fuel taxes and other like parking and rental car fees, airport managers user fees — has not grown with air passenger and 7% can turn to a range of experiential enhancements. cargo demand. “By offering more choices, more convenience, “It’s great to have $3.1 to $3.4 billion allocated to U.S. GDP embedding technology and making the environment the airports, but … if you look back at AIP grants in more appealing, the airport can generate more general over the last 15 years, the allocated amount revenue from the food and beverage, and retail and has been pretty well the same,” says Zachary services aspects,” Gu says. Oakley (’16), deputy director of operations and 1.7b SEA-Tac is investing in its airport infrastructure planning for the Greater Rockford Airport Authority/ passengers to the tune of $3.2 billion, with most of this Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD). investment focusing on the customer experience. Adjusted for inflation, this amounts to a 25% loss (arrivals and Improvements include a 201,000-square-foot addition in buying power from 2004 to 2018, according to the departures) to the North Satellite/Alaska Airlines Terminal, a Bureau of Labor Statistics. new, 450,000-square-foot, multi-level International

Government has taken notice of the funding SOURCE: Arrivals Facility, and a 10,000-square-foot expansion challenge. In 2019, the Department of Transportation Airports Council of the Central Terminal. The projects add dining distributed $779 million in supplemental grants to 127 International- and shopping options, seating and aesthetic North America airports — in addition to the $3.1 billion awarded the enhancements, and a new premium customer

COURTESY OF SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL DIEGO OF SAN COURTESY AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL OF OAKLAND COURTESY previous year through AIP. lounge for Alaska Airlines.

14 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 15 -

SAN is also improving its passenger spaces Oakley says. “Our terminal was originally built for 19- “The aeronautical side is a cost- and adding gates: The airport opened an expanded to 30-seat aircraft, ground boarding, without TSA. It Terminal 2 in 2013. The $820 million Leadership in was definitely processing things it was never intended recovery model for U.S. airports. But Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum- to process.” certified project added 460,000 square feet of on the non-aeronautical side, that's terminal space and 1.3 million square feet of new Innovating the Customer Experience — liying gu aircraft ramp and taxiways. Customers are driving these improvements, says where innovation comes in. ” “The passenger experience is vastly improved Assistant Professor of Aerospace and Occupational in Terminal 2. Terminal 1 was built in 1967, and we Safety E. David Williams. “Traveling now is more are planning for its replacement,” Becker says. The of an experience, as well as a necessity. People are proposed Terminal 1 project would include 30 gates demanding a higher level of service,” he says. (to replace the current 19-gate facility) and cost an For example, premium lounges that offer relaxed estimated $3 billion. The environmental study for the seating, complimentary snacks and beverages — and project is currently underway. sometimes sleep pods — for a fee are becoming SAN and SEA-Tac are just the tip of the iceberg popular, as are lounges designated for spa services, when it comes to current airport renovations. Los smokers and people traveling with pets. Angeles International Airport is in the midst of a $14 Airports are also installing fee-based conference billion infrastructure improvement project; Chicago rooms, so business travelers can choose to meet at O’Hare Airport recently started an $8.7 billion the airport and avoid the added expense of rental cars expansion; and JFK in New York is planning to spend and overnight accommodations, Williams says. $10 billion on its remodel. “The airports have become more than just Smaller airports are also investing in passenger- an airport.” oriented facilities. For example, Oakley says, RFD Bryant Francis (’98), director of aviation for will complete a $25 million, three-year terminal the Port of Oakland/Oakland International Airport expansion project in 2020. (OAK), agrees. “Customers today have far greater In the last 15 years, RFD has gone from serving expectations of the airport experience than in 60,000 passengers a year to roughly 240,000, years past, and we are stepping up our efforts to

hose working in the with airports’ ability to But Zachary Oakley (’16), aviation industry largely make necessary facility deputy director of operations T agree that U.S. airports improvements. and planning for the Greater need to renovate and grow. But “There is a bit of a Rockford Airport Authority/ that’s where the agreement battle between airports Chicago Rockford International ends. Airports and airlines have and airlines,” says Kim Airport, says, “The airlines argued for the last decade Becker (’97), president have no problem arbitrarily or more about how best to and CEO of the San Diego raising baggage fees, seat fees accomplish this growth. County Regional Airport or any other fees they want The root of the argument Authority. The airlines to tack on to the ticket price,” DID YOU KNOW? is the passenger facility maintain that airports with no regulatory oversight. charge (PFC). can pay for infrastructure Despite the growing number Since 2001, an Act of projects through partnership of ancillary fees, 777.9 million* ✈✈Embry-Riddle’s David B. O’Maley Congress has capped the agreements with them, while passengers flew on domestic College of Business hosts the annual PFC at $4.50 per flight airports, as good neighbors, flights in 2018, an increase of Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) FINANCE segment (for a maximum of must consider what’s right 4.9% over 2017. Airport Benchmarking Report: Global $18 total for a round trip), per for the community as well, The ACI-NA is lobbying Standards for Airport Excellence. BATTLEGROUND: passenger. Airports use PFCs Becker says. Congress to increase the Students collect and compile the data, to pay off debt and as backing According to Airlines for PFC cap. “We’re hoping conduct analysis and generate the Airlines and to issue bonds to finance America (A4A), an airline that the upcoming annual report under the supervision Airports Face Off improvements, says Liying advocacy group, PFCs are an infrastructure package or of Benchmarking Task Force Research Gu (’02), vice president for “airport tax” on the traveling other legislative vehicles Director Chunyan Yu, professor of air Over Passenger economic affairs and research public and increasing the would include a provision to transport management. The 2019 report at ACI-NA. This “artificial PFC could affect consumers’ allow the airports to charge includes an assessment of 204 airports Facility Charges cap,” Gu says, is interfering decisions to fly. a higher rate," Gu says. and 24 airport groups located in Asia Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is in the midst of a $3.2 billion

Pacific, Europe and North America. overhaul that focuses on elevating the customer experience. MIKE EHL *U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics

16 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 17 deliver.” Francis says the Escape Lounge at OAK distribution center, which began operating in 2012. has been very successful. A premium, fee-based However, the airport authority decided not to pursue space, the lounge offers food and beverages, as a P3 for its Terminal 1 replacement. These types of well as business amenities, charging stations and partnerships are situational and not always in the best access to high-speed internet and complimentary interest of airports for all projects, Becker says. “You tablets. Operated by an outside vendor, the lounge do give up some aspect of control of the facility.” generated more than $300,000 in non-aeronautical Smaller airports are capitalizing on niche markets to revenue for the airport in 2018, Francis says. generate profits. For example, Leadville-Lake County San Diego County Regional Airport‘s LEED Other customer experience initiatives at OAK Airport (LXV) in Colorado relies on its 9,934-foot Platinum-certified terminal project added 460,000 square feet of terminal space. include a renovation and rebranding of all 17 food elevation to generate income from helicopter testing and beverage concessions terminal-wide, the first companies. They come to LXV to define the maximum of which are expected to debut in late 2019; new performance lift capabilities of their aircraft at maximum gate holdroom seating; restroom renovations; an altitude, says LXV Airport Manager Brett Cottrell automated exit lane system for arriving customers (’96, ’97). Additionally, a gift shop geared to its claim FROM SMART WINDOWS TO BIOMETRICS: transitioning from gate areas to baggage claim and as “America’s highest airport” helps supplement the new concourse flooring, both located in Terminal 2. airport’s operational expenses and fund improvements. Technological Advancements Promise to Revolutionize the Airport Experience Becker says she and her team are making “We are the highest [altitude] public-use airport a concentrated effort to improve the customer and the highest incorporated town in the United experience at SAN, as well. States,” Cottrell says. “Landing here is on a lot of irports are not only enlarging and These apps give airports additional data baggage through airports, Drape says. “SAN doesn’t have an incredible amount of people’s bucket lists.” modernizing the physical attributes on passenger congestion. “With biometrics, you have less need for on-airport parking; what we have to do as an airport Large hubs are getting creative with the use of A of terminals — they’re also adding With all of this data flowing in, Gu individuals to show IDs at touch points at is to find new and creative ways to increase that hardstands to help deal with gate shortages, as well. technological systems to streamline says the data analyst is now a common the airport. It might be face recognition, non-airline revenue.” At OAK, Francis recently invested in three Cobus their customer services. Many of these employee working behind the scenes at fingerprinting or retinal scans. China, 3000 buses to transport passengers to and from improvements revolve around data the airport. “They need people who can Singapore, Turkey and Dubai all do some Inventing New Revenue Streams hardstand, remote aircraft parking spots. “This will collection and analysis. digest all of this data to help them make form of this.” One way SAN is elevating its bottom line is by making provide a bit of flexibility during peak periods of flight Liying Gu (’02), vice president for more informed decisions,” she says. Kim Becker (’97), president and CEO inventive use of its former commuter terminal, which activity,” he says. economic affairs and research at ACI-NA, of the San Diego County Regional Airport now houses what Becker calls the Innovation Lab. At SEA-Tac is regularly using hardstands to deal with says windows with integrated beacons BAG TRACKING (SAN) Authority, says SAN recently the lab, SAN invites businesses and entrepreneurs its gate shortage, Ehl says. and sensors have been installed at some Lost bags are not only a major hassle, integrated facial recognition into its to develop and test products at the airport. During a airports and others will soon follow suit. they are also a major cost. Radio federal inspection service for international 16-week program, airport staff guide selected ideas Rising to the Challenge These “smart windows” are able to track frequency identification (RFID) technology arrivals. The technology operates in from prototypes to a test market. Increasing non-aeronautical revenue, improving customer traffic and activity. “Dallas/ used to tag and track bags promises big concert with a U.S. Customs and “It’s in a real-time environment where they can the customer experience, and renovating and Fort Worth Airport is investing in these improvements over the hand-scanned Border Protection database. “It’s really come in and work out all the bugs for their system,” expanding terminal facilities are all positive efforts DID YOU windows,” Gu says. “They are trying to bar codes that have been the industry streamlined the processing time,” Becker Becker says. If the products prove successful, SAN for the airport industry, but Ehl, who retired in June figure out better ways to use all of the standard since the 1990s. says. “They took out all of the automatic may contract with them for the service; and if it 2019 after 27 years at SEA-Tac, says airports may KNOW? data to better manage passenger flow.” A report by SITA (Société passport kiosks that we planned and built expands to other airports, SAN recuperates a small ultimately need to look to one another to handle the ✈✈Branson Embry-Riddle Professor of Air Internationale de Télécommunications space for, and we were able to use this percentage or royalty. growing number of passengers. Airport in Transport Management Chunyan Yu says Aéronautiques) in 2017 found that the biometric technology and bypass this The program has already had its first success: “Given the current growth trend and our capacity Missouri is the airports are also monitoring passengers U.S. air transport industry could save $3 whole step.” An app called At Your Gate, which launched Jan. 31, constraints, [SEA-Tac is] going to be maxed out only privately via their internet usage. “These days, billion in lost baggage costs with RFID Eventually, she says, the TSA could 2018. The app allows passengers at any location in in three years,” he says. However, there are three owned and airports can use social media to track tracking. Delta Air Lines was the first use biometrics to vet passengers in the airport to order food or retail items from any airports, operated by three different political entities, operated passenger movement. Some are using U.S. carrier to start using RFID tags on advance, to expedite the domestic other terminal and have them delivered to them. in the Puget Sound area. “Theoretically, if they were commercial Wi-Fi activity to determine when they luggage in 2016. security process. “That kind of “It started here, and now it’s in five other airports balanced in a system, we’d have capacity.” service need to open security lanes. If you have “The RFID technology seems like it’s technology will really revolutionize across the country,” Becker says. Amin agrees: “As the demand on hub-international airport in the an airport app on your phone, it can also from a decade ago, but the efficiencies airports.” airports grows, I believe the only way to continue United States. push location-based ads as you move that can be gained are huge,” says Drape says technological Creative Solutions to support the growth of our industry is to utilize Embry-Riddle through the airport,” she says. Embry-Riddle School of Business Director advancements like these will vastly Airports are also funding their infrastructure strategically located regional airports near the hub alumnus Wayfinding applications are also Tom Drape. improve the customer experience and help needs with help from public-private partnerships airports to help alleviate some of the congestion.” Jeffrey Bourk becoming popular at airports, allowing airports with their bottom line. “Airports (P3). “There are many companies looking for Despite the many challenges facing the nation’s (’95) is the passengers to navigate the terminals and BIOMETRICS feel better when passengers spend less opportunities to partner with airports,” Gu says. airports, Amin has no doubt that the industry will airport’s search for their favorite restaurants and Biometrics is the next thing that will time in lines, because more people spend SAN partnered with a private business to help address the need. “I believe humans, when given a executive

retail outlets by using their smartphones. speed up the flow of passengers and time buying and eating things,” he says. AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL DIEGO OF SAN COURTESY build a new, $19.2 million centralized receiving and challenge, always rise to it,” he says. director.

18 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 19 ALUMNI @WORK The movie tells the story of Roger Boisjoly, an engineer who tried to stop the launch of the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 and his post- disaster whistleblowing, which subsequently ended his engineering career. VonMinden says he learned as a student at Embry-Riddle that engineers had tried to prevent the disaster. “[That fact] lodged somewhere deep in my brain, and it became like a perpetual itch that I kept scratching and scratching.” Starting in 2011, he began researching the tragic accident and studying the Rogers Commission Report, which was based on the work of a presidential commission that investigated what had occurred. About two and a half years ago, he began writing the screenplay.

Engineering Ethics VonMinden says he was fascinated with the intersection of engineering and ethics that Boisjoly’s story represented, and with the engineer’s courage to speak truth to those in power. “Everything that’s made comes into existence because of an engineer,” VonMinden says. “The thing is, you have to remember the person who is going to use whatever you’re going to make. You have to prove that it works so you don’t violate the public trust.” After working on VonMinden quit his day job as a production director thousands of small films and productions, Nathan at Grace Point Church in San Antonio to make the film. VonMinden dove into the He acknowledges that, despite his operating an agency world of feature films with that provides marketing and production for outside The Challenger Disaster. clients and supports his film projects, the pressure has The Challenger Disaster, been intense. written and directed “That’s the sacrifice, though, that my wife and I by Nathan VonMinden, tells the true story of an hen Nathan VonMinden (’05) was Merging Passion and Skill were willing to make,” he says, “so that the engineers engineer who tried to growing up, he spent so much time VonMinden’s passion for film, however, continued who were incredibly brave, who stood up for what was stop the launch of the Silver Screen watching movies in his hometown of to grow. Videos he had made for church groups he right could be honored in our culture.” Space Shuttle Challenger. Brenham, Texas, that his family worked belonged to were well received, and more video out a special system for getting him production projects came his way. What started home. If they received a collect call as a hobby soon evolved into a second job, and from him, they knew not to accept the then a career. Attraction charges — and instead to hang up, get His engineering skills proved to be an asset. in the car and go pick him up at the Like engineering, filmmaking is about “having a Nathan VonMinden applies movie theater. vision for reality and trying to solve it into existence,” “Film was just one of those things that I loved he says, “taking disparate pieces and trying to make engineering background to a Wwhen I was a kid,” VonMinden says. “I always wanted them into one thing.” to figure out what exactly it was in a film that made “I’m putting my engineering education to full use,” new career as a screenwriter it good, and I just loved dissecting and talking about VonMinden adds. “Both engineering and filmmaking movies. I was always at the movie theater.” are about communication, collaboration and problem and director In high school, when not watching movies, solving, all things that I learned at Embry-Riddle.” VonMinden concentrated on math and science. After graduating, he studied aerospace engineering The Big Screen at Embry-Riddle — first at the Prescott Campus in With thousands of small films and productions to his BY MICHAELA JARVIS Arizona, and then in Daytona Beach, Florida, where name, VonMinden moved into the world of feature he moved so he and his wife, Meleice, could enjoy films in 2019 withThe Challenger Disaster. The film the beach, and she could be close to educational debuted in January at 12 cinemas nationwide and opportunities of her own. became available on iTunes, Amazon and other online VonMinden earned his bachelor’s degree in video outlets. VonMinden recently partnered with 2005, and he started working as a production a distributor, and DVDs of the film are now on sale engineer at Homac Manufacturing Company in at Walmart stores across the country. “Getting into nearby Ormond Beach. Walmart was a big deal for us,” he says.

20 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 21 GIVING TO EMBRY-RIDDLE THE BOEING COMPANY CREATES A PERMANENT $3 MILLION ENDOWMENT Scholarships aim to increase diversity in the pilot workforce

This circuit board will help operate the EagleSat 2 mission.

BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM

The Boeing Company recently According to Boeing’s 2018 Pilot EagleSat 2 Will established a $3 million permanent & Technician Outlook, the industry endowment for scholarships at will need 790,000 new civil aviation Take Off with Embry-Riddle and announced its pilots and 754,000 new maintenance first cohort of Boeing Scholars. technicians to fly and maintain the Donors’ Support The 22 scholarship recipients world’s growing fleet of aircraft over BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM were selected based on their aca- the next 20 years. The forecast is demic achievements, as well as inclusive of the commercial aviation, Embry-Riddle engineering students are building their demonstrated financial need. business aviation and civil helicopter a nanosatellite that NASA will launch into space The Boeing scholarships will focus industries. next year. on increasing the number of women The $3 million award to Embry- But they could not fund the roughly $200,000 and underrepresented minorities in Riddle builds upon Boeing’s long- in hardware needed to build the cube satellite the aviation industry, and supporting standing support of STEM (science, without the help of donors, says Daniel White, military veterans and their dependents technology, engineering and assistant professor of mechanical engineering and Howard Walls Jr., center, was inducted enrolled at the university. However, mathematics) programs, women, the project’s faculty adviser. To date, more than posthumously into the Daytona Beach all students pursuing certification as military veterans and minorities. In $60,000 has been contributed toward the project. Campus’ Athletics Hall of Fame. a pilot or an airframe and powerplant 2018 alone, Boeing contributed a “It’s pretty unique that students would have mechanic are eligible to apply. record $284 million to build better an opportunity like this so early in their academic “At a time when we are facing communities worldwide. careers,” White says. “They really have benefited a global shortage of aviation from the philanthropy and outreach.” All-American Hurdler Honored professionals, it is critically important The project follows the successful launch to widen the talent pipeline,” says LEARN MORE of a previous student-designed and -built cube Embry-Riddle President P. Barry For more information satellite: EagleSat 1, which was deployed in with Memorial Athletic Scholarship Butler. “It is an honor to partner with about the Boeing 2017 in partnership with NASA’s CubeSat Launch Boeing to enrich and enhance the Endowed Scholarship: Initiative. The current project, appropriately aviation workforce.” givingto.erau.edu/boeing named EagleSat 2, is one of 21 proposals that were accepted in 2018 for the next round of BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellites Flight instructor Abby Pasmore, Missions program. left, works with Eric Tetteh to oward Charles Walls Jr. (’10, ’12) was The track team was a tightknit group, Harter says, preflight a Diamond DA42. The project has allowed about 50 engineering known for his hurdling, coaching and and he and several other former teammates wanted students to gain hands-on spacecraft engineering easygoing personality. to do something to remember Walls. A scholarship for experience, as well as the opportunity to “Howard was just one of those student-athletes seemed to be the perfect choice. conduct research in space. The cube satellite will guys everyone liked. I don’t think I ever The Howard Walls Jr. Memorial Scholarship gather information about cosmic ray particles saw him mad,” says Chris Harter (’13), will be awarded to an Embry-Riddle track and field and the effects of solar radiation on computer a former teammate who is helping to student-athlete. More than $28,000 has been memory, White says. establish a scholarship at Embry-Riddle raised so far for the scholarship, in part through a Eight teams are working on various aspects in Walls’ honor. university crowdfunding campaign. As an endowed of the satellite for a launch date in mid-2020. Walls made a name for himself as a hurdler on memorial scholarship, the university is able to award Following the cubesat’s launch and deployment, Hthe Daytona Beach Campus’ track and field team a scholarship in Walls’ name each year in perpetuity. the students will operate the mission and record from 2006 to 2010. He was the first All-American In January 2019, Walls was inducted and report to NASA all of the scientific findings in the campus’s track and field history and set a posthumously into the Daytona Beach Campus’ and data communicated by EagleSat 2 to their school record that still stands today. Athletics Hall of Fame. campus headquarters. Sadly, Walls, 31, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died Go to givingto.erau.edu/eaglesat or March 4, 2018, from injuries sustained in a contact [email protected] to support motorcycle crash. At the time of his death, he MAKE A GIFT EagleSat 2. was the director of quality control and safety for To donate to the Howard Walls Jr. Memorial FILE PHOTO/ALISON SMALLING FILE PHOTO/ALISON Allegiant Airlines. Scholarship: givingto.erau.edu/walls LABELLO DARYL PHOTO: CONNOR MCSHANE; BOTTOM/FILE TOP:

22 LIFT FALL 2019 GIVINGTO.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 23 ALUMNI IN ACTION Organic pest control methods are more labor intensive than non-organic, he says. They also use hoop houses, which are similar to greenhouses, to extend the growing season until November. As the farm began producing way more than their family could consume, David and Sherry decided they wanted to share the fruits of their labor. “We just felt very strongly, that since we were blessed with this land, we should give back to the community in some way, if we could,” Sherry says. Bridget Brown, director of Food Secure for Livingston County at Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, says the McWilliams’ farm Sharing helps feed approximately 850 families who receive assistance through the local Shared Harvest Pantry. Produce prices can pose a significant barrier for struggling families, who are trying to balance nutrition the Bounty and affordability, she says. Family farm started by “We just felt very strongly, that since we were blessed with this land, we should give back to alumni couple helps feed the community in some way, if we could.” local community — SHERRY MCWILLIAM

David McWilliam has achieved his “Dave and Sherry McWilliam help make fresh, childhood dream of becoming both a healthy vegetables more accessible. They’ve made a pilot and a farmer. real and lasting difference in the lives of our families,” BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM Brown says. Since 2014, Eden Ridge has donated about A Passion for Aviation and Agriculture 12,300 pounds of food, most of which consists of rowing up in a suburb of Detroit, David McWilliam David and Sherry share a passion for flying. When mainstream fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes, (’92) wanted to be two things when he grew up: a they met in 1992, Sherry was a flight training cucumbers, strawberries and melons. Dave and pilot and a farmer. manager at Embry-Riddle, and David was one of the Sherry farm 2 acres of their 10-acre property, which is Decades later, he’s succeeded at doing both. instructors she supervised. also home to two horses, three cats and 10 chickens. He is an international pilot for Delta Air Lines and “We had a really tightknit group,” David recalls. “It “On average, we donate 3,000 to 4,000 pounds runs Eden Ridge, a 10-acre organic farm in Brighton, was when the economy was not good for aviation, so a year to the food bank,” David says. “The rest goes Michigan, that donates much of its produce to feed we were instructors for a few years, and we became to a roadside stand, which is donation-based only, the local community. good friends.” so those in the neighborhood that need it can take it “I am happy with the balance,” David says. “I love David’s marriage proposal to Sherry made the local for free, and others can donate something. All of the my job. I fly internationally now to Asia, and I get to news when he hired an airplane to tow a banner that donations offset the cost of the farm.” explore some great cities.” The McWilliam family runs publicly popped the question at Embry-Riddle’s 1996 Sherry says David is definitely the one who is When he isn’t flying, David is driving his tractor, weeding Eden Ridge, a 10-acre organic airshow and alumni reunion. most passionate about the endeavor, sometimes G farm in Brighton, Michigan. the fields or packing produce with his wife, Sherry (Pauling) “It was all a big surprise,” David recalls. “Halfway working outside from dawn until dusk. McWilliam (’92), and their two children, Alex, 16, and Amelia, through the airshow, we got permission to fly the “I enjoy it in smaller doses,” says Sherry, who is 13, on their family farm. banner by.” also an instructor of Holy Yoga, a Christ-centered,

“I love farming, being outside and the manual labor part of Produce from Eden Ridge The couple married in 1997 and moved to faith-based style of yoga. “It’s always busy, between it,” David says. “It is not unusual for me to go out early in the helps feed 850 families Atlanta, where David worked as a pilot for Atlantic the job, the kids and the farm.” morning and come in late.” through a local food bank. Southeast Airlines, and Sherry was chief pilot at a The couple also operate another unique nonprofit. David and Sherry are both pilots who earned bachelor’s flight school. Later, David was hired by Delta, and Joining with three other families in 2016, they bought degrees in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle and when Delta merged with Northwest Airlines, David an old Michigan lighthouse that had been abandoned met while working as flight instructors. Neither one had a seized the opportunity to move home to Michigan. for 40 years and are in the process of slowly restor- farming background, so when they bought the farm in 2013, They bought the farm, in part, because their ing it. David discovered the North Manitou Shoal they had to learn along the way. Eventually, they started daughter rode horses; and they began planting Lighthouse on Lake Michigan on a Boy Scout trip. donating the surplus produce that they grew, and an idea everything from tomatoes and cucumbers to melons “Sherry kind of gets dragged along on these crazy began to take root. and pumpkins. expeditions of mine,” David says. But Sherry says she “We knew we wanted to use it to help the community in “A lot of it was trial and error,” David says. “One wouldn’t have it any other way. some way,” David says. “Then we got volunteers from church of the biggest challenges is that we do everything to help out, and it kind of took on a life of its own.” organically and non-GMO.” EDITOR’S NOTE: Learn more about the McWilliams’ farm at edenridgefarm.com.

24 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 25 ALUMNI NEWS EAGLE TAKE OFF Record number of graduates celebrate spring 2019 commencement MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

n July 20, the world celebrated a legacy: the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo moon landing. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, the first people to walk on the moon, at once made history and became legends. This summer, we at Embry-Riddle also NUMBER OF celebrated, as two legendary administrators took COUNTRIES off for new horizons. Together, Chancellor Frank Ayers (’87) and Dean of Students Larry Stephan “Being at REPRESENTED (H ’15) helped build the legacy that is today’s DEGREES AWARDED (TOTAL)* commencement Prescott Campus. Frank stepped down after a decade as chief administrator of the campus to return this Chancellor Frank Ayers, left, and Dean of is surreal — Students Larry Stephan dedicated years fall to the classroom, once again, as professor for the College 26 O of service to the Prescott Campus. I have to remind of Aviation at the Daytona Beach Campus. And, Larry, who 1,488 myself to breathe moved to Prescott in 1979 to be the campus’s director of recreational sports and became dean of students in 2009, Doctoral degrees: 4 and take in the retired after more than 40 years of service. TalonTalks Podcast Master’s degrees: 353 moment.” GRADUATING WITH I have had the good fortune to work with both of I am proud to announce a new series of Embry-Riddle Bachelor’s degrees: 1,095 these legends. podcasts — featuring your fellow alumni. To listen, search your Associate degrees: 36 — KARI LEI PETERSON, ACADEMIC HONORS Since moving to the western campus 10 years ago, Frank favorite podcast app for “WIKD Studios,” the student radio SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT, DAYTONA BEACH CAMPUS and his wife, Debbie, have mentored and managed their station at the Daytona Beach Campus. For more information: Prescott Campus “Homestead” and its family members with alumni.erau.edu/podcast. 38% incredible respect, hard work, discipline and tender loving care. Additionally, we will be hosting Lunch and Learn lectures The result: new facilities, increased enrollments, new at various locations throughout the country in the coming degree programs, greater student and faculty diversity, year. Let us know if you have an area of expertise you’re seven new athletic programs, and six (more) National Flight willing to share. Championships, to name just a few. Thankfully, Frank’s servant As you review this issue, I hope that you can see leadership will continue at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach. the difference that Eagles make in and for the world. Nearly every Prescott Campus student has heard Larry call We look forward to seeing you and hearing about your their name as they crossed the stage to accept their diploma. successes. Please call, stop by the office or come to an FEMALE GRADUATES A regular commencement announcer, his and his wife Brenda’s event. OctoberWest (Oct. 3-5) at the Prescott Campus and positive influence extended beyond the athletics program Homecoming at the Daytona Beach Campus (Oct. 10-12) are that Larry built from the ground up. In 2015, Larry was named just around the corner. I hope to see you there! 24% an honorary alumnus of the university for his leadership and contributions to the campus community. In addition to the unwavering support they’ve given students and families over Forever an Eagle, the years, Larry and Brenda created the Larry K. and Brenda S. Stephan Champions of Character Endowed Scholarship. Bill Thompson (’87, PC) GRADUATES RANGED To support the scholarship: givingto.erau.edu/stephan. Executive Director IN AGE FROM MALE GRADUATES Growing Eagle Graduates This past spring, the office of Alumni Engagement † TO welcomed more than 1,700 graduates into the Eagle family 76% Join the Eagle Network: 17 63 — our largest collective class of graduates to date. If you facebook.com/ERAUAlumni alumni.erau.edu/join ever have doubts about the future of our industry and its leaders, attend one of our commencement ceremonies. twitter.com/ERAU_Alumni instagram.com/erau_alumni/ I assure you that you will be impressed and encouraged. † alumni.erau.edu/LinkedIn alumni.erau.edu/podcast *Includes all May and June 1, 2019, graduation ceremonies (DB, PC, WW), High School Dual Enrollment

26 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 27 CAREER CORNER Yet Another Twist of Fate Following a 2014 season with the Eagles that saw Upcoming Industry/Career Expos Ponce de Leon go 9-2 with a 1.60 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 95.2 innings, the Cardinals made him SEPT. 13, 2019 Dallas, Texas the highest draft pick in program history when they selected him in the ninth round of that summer’s draft. OCT. 3, 2019 “I’m very grateful to coaches Randy (Stegall) and Prescott, Arizona Dave (Therneau) for giving me a chance my senior year,” Ponce de Leon says of his time with the Blue OCT. 8, 2019 and Gold. “Coach Therneau taught me how to set Daytona Beach, Florida up a good routine between starts and that has really FEB. 25, 2020 brought about a lot of success for me.” Daytona Beach, Florida The 6-foot-3-inch hurler moved steadily up through the Cardinals organization after being For additional information and job resources, visit careerservices.erau.edu. drafted. He was knocking on the big league door in 2017 while at Triple-A Memphis, when a freak accident nearly derailed his career — and his life. EAGLE REUNION 2019 “He’s got a special makeup. Reconnect at the largest alumni meetups of the year You would never know he

Daniel Ponce de Leon pitched seven no- went through the type of injury hit innings for the St. Louis Cardinals in his debut on July 23, 2018. He continues he sustained. He doesn’t let to impress this season, picking up his anything faze him .” first Major League win on July 4, 2019. 2019 — EMBRY-RIDDLE HEAD COACH RANDY STEGALL OctoberWest Alumni & Wings Out Homecoming The La Mirada, California, native has now appeared West Air Show Weekend in 21 games for the Cardinals (as of Aug. 20, 2019), A line drive off the bat of Chicago Cubs prospect PRESCOTT, ARIZONA DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA including 11 starts, posting a 3.30 ERA in 73.2 innings Victor Caratini on May 9, 2017, struck Ponce de Leon Oct. 3 – 5, 2019 Oct. 8 – 12, 2019 Curveball of work. Over the last two seasons, Ponce de Leon in the head. He was rushed to a local hospital in Des has split time between the Cardinals and their Triple-A Moines, Iowa, where a CT scan revealed that he had Register to attend, today! alumni.erau.edu/homecoming Eagle standout Daniel Ponce de Leon affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds, earning Pacific Coast an epidural hematoma, a condition where blood leaks League All-Star honors for Memphis in 2018. from the meningeal artery into the space between conquers injury and the AAA shuffle The shuttling back and forth between a Major the dura mater, which covers the brain, and the skull. League club and its Minor League affiliates is common Without an emergency craniotomy, the typical result Professional Education to make a historic MLB debut for young players early in their careers, and for Ponce of an epidural hematoma is death. @Embry-Riddle de Leon, a change of scenery is nothing new. The surgery was successful. Advance your career Ponce de Leon spent 10 days in intensive care or explore a new one. New Surroundings and a Change of Plans and more than a month in the Hawkeye State before Embry-Riddle offers online and Ponce de Leon started his collegiate career at the returning home to Daytona Beach, Florida, where he in-person short courses (for BY RYAN MOSHER University of Arizona in 2011, before stops at Cypress spent two months recovering. He was cleared to start CEUs), certificate programs and Junior College (2012) and the University of Houston throwing on Aug. 9. customized corporate training. (2013). A three-time MLB draftee, Ponce de Leon For the next six months, Ponce de Leon fought to proed.erau.edu turned down the Rays in 2010 and the Reds in 2012. regain his strength and stamina, including working out hen Daniel Ponce de Leon stepped An injury concern caused the Cubs to walk away in and throwing at Embry-Riddle’s Sliwa Stadium over onto the mound at Cincinnati’s Great 2013. Prior to the 2014 season, he transferred to much of that time. American Ballpark on July 23, 2018, Embry-Riddle with only one thing on his mind. “He’s got a special makeup,” Embry-Riddle Head he became the first-ever Embry-Riddle But plans change. Coach Randy Stegall says. “You would never know draftee to appear in a Major League “When I came to Embry-Riddle, I told myself I was he went through the type of injury he sustained. He Baseball (MLB) game. What followed purely focusing on baseball, but then I found a wife,” doesn’t let anything faze him. Since the moment he Visit the alumni website was one of the greatest pitching debuts Ponce de Leon says. “It’s crazy to look back and see stepped on campus back in 2014, we could tell he for dates and information in baseball history. The 26-year-old how God had a different plan than I had in my head.” was different from a mentality standpoint, and he’s on upcoming events: right-hander for the St. Louis Cardinals In the midst of an NAIA All-American campaign for proved that over and over.” EVENTS ON fired seven, no-hit innings against the the Eagles in 2014, Ponce de Leon met Jennifer Beatty, Ponce de Leon’s baseball journey has been anything alumni.erau.edu/events. Cincinnati Reds, becoming just the fifth pitcher in a standout for the Embry-Riddle volleyball team from but ordinary. The native Californian has been a Wildcat, THE RADAR WMLB’s expansion era (since 1961) to take a no-hit bid 2013-14; the two married in 2018 and have two children a Charger, a Cougar, a Redbird and a Cardinal. But, he

through seven innings in his Major League debut. together, Casen and Mila. CARDINALS LOUIS HURST/ST. BILLY is Forever an Eagle.

28 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 29 CLASS

tephen J. Altemus (’87) admits that success did not come NOTES easy for him. That’s what made receiving Embry-Riddle’s 2019 Top Distinguished Alumni Award even more special, he says. “I was not a stellar student,” says Altemus, president and Command’s (AFRC) only Cyber more than 32 years of rotary-wing CEO of Intuitive Machines LLC and former deputy director Operations Group, which grew into and operational aviation safety Send us your news! Email your life events at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “I lived in my car the first AFRC’s only Cyberspace Wing earlier experience, including as a helicopter Eagles couple of days, before I found an apartment; and I struggled to [email protected]. For guidelines, this year. Terry began his career by pilot in the U.S. Army and Coast to get through engineering school.” joining the ROTC at Embry-Riddle. Guard. visit alumni.erau.edu/notes_guidelines. Six graduates honored at Altemus and five other graduates were honored for their His assignments included time at outstanding accomplishments at the Eagle Alumni Awards Strategic Air Command Airborne alumni awards ceremony ceremony on April 5, 2019. Nominated by their respective college or Command Post, U.S. Central 1990s Sprogram, the awardees included Altemus (College of Engineering), Command and the Special Operations Brian Hirshman (’90; College of Aviation), John Longshore (’81, ’84; Command Central. Tami Lamp (’93) was selected David B. O’Maley College of Business), Patrick Marsden (’91; College as senior vice president and chief BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM of Arts & Sciences), Michelle Lucas (’00; Eagle Entrepreneur/ Tanya Whitney (’85, ’00) recently human resources officer for Kaiser Communications) and Edmund Otubuah (’03; Alumni Network attended the National Veterans Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, Volunteer). Creative Arts Festival in Des Moines, aka Kaiser Permanente. “This program is a celebration of what Embry-Riddle graduates Career News 1980s Iowa. Whitney was selected as a achieve across multiple business sectors and around the world,” says Gold Medal winner in the creative Brad More (’94) was appointed chief Bill Thompson, executive director of alumni engagement. Rich Burkhardt (’82, ’08) was writing category for an inspirational architect of Hapi, a data streaming, The awardees also serve as role models to current Embry-Riddle 1960s appointed senior manager of cargo poem. integration and enrichment platform students, adds Marc Archambault, senior vice president of philanthropy field and mail operations at American designed to solve the hotel industry’s and alumni engagement. Terry Maxwell (’64), a Miami Airlines Cargo. Burkhardt was Jon Downey (’87) is president of data integration challenges. “What you have achieved is a great testament to the impact of our Campus graduate, retired in 2006 as also honored as the 2018 Kennedy AssuredPartners Aerospace in Denver, university and our alumni, and of what we can become when we work a Federal Aviation Administration/ Airport Airlines Management Council Colorado. Downey was previously Wayne Poole (’94), a veteran together,” Archambault told the honorees at the ceremony. military systems certification (KAAMCO) Person of the Year. vice president for U.S. Aviation of the U.S. Air Force, was named For more about each award winner: alumni.erau.edu/2019awards. consultant. His most recent Underwriters. His most recent chief audit officer for East Carolina certification programs were the C5 Col. Lloyd Terry (’83, ’92) was role was senior vice president of University’s office of Internal Audit cargo plane reliability and commercial honored in a retirement ceremony operations and head of U.S. Aviation and Management Advisory Services. engine upgrade and Bombardier held Dec. 14, 2018, at Naval Air for Allianz. electronics military upgrade at Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Wael Saeed (’95) was named Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Base, Texas. During his 35-year Chris Hill (’89, ’97) was hired as chief financial officer for BBA Dayton, Ohio. Earlier in his career, he career, Terry became the first director of safety for Helicopter Aviation’s Global Engine Services worked at Pratt & Whitney and GE commander of Air Force Reserve Association International. He has leadership team. Engines as a component designer/ group systems manager. 1970s

Warren Kroeppel (’76), chief operating officer of Sheltair Aviation, received the New York Aviation Management Association’s William F. Shea Award. Kroeppel joined Sheltair in 2012, after a 35-year Warren Kroeppel, cen- ter, with Bill Shea and career that included serving as deputy Terry Maxwell Christina Callahan Rich Burkhardt general manager at John F. Kennedy International Airport and 10 years as general manager of LaGuardia Airport.

William Seidl (’78), a flight dispatch coordinator, is celebrating 40 years at Air Wisconsin.

From left: Marc Archambault, Michelle Lucas, John Longshore, Patrick Marsden, Stephen J. Altemus and Edmund Otubuah. Col. Lloyd Terry, right Tanya Whitney Tami Lamp DAVID MASSEY DAVID

30 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 31 Volusia counties in Florida. She joined Ryan Hartman (‘09) is now CEO of the Red Cross in March 2017, after World View, based in Tucson, Arizona, a decade with the Flagler County which is developing stratospheric Brad More Wayne Poole Wael Saeed Brad Brandt Chamber of Commerce. DeLorenzo balloon platforms to perform satellite- lives in Palm Coast with her husband, style tasks in remote sensing and Jason, and daughter, Lorelei. communications. Hartman was previously president and CEO of Insitu. Matthew Pfrommer (’03, ’07) is vice president of strategic capabilities at Cubic Corporation’s Cubic Mission 2010s Solutions business division. Landon Breazeale (’10) is an David Hansell (’04) is public policy associate attorney for Nashville- manager at DJI, a civilian drones and based Schaffer Law Firm. He was aerial imaging technology company. previously an attorney with the

Walter R. Price Jaclyn Gilbert Moriba Jah Matthew Pfrommer Previously, Hansell was the global state of Tennessee and a business aviation policy lead for Facebook. manager for TBI Airport Management in Georgia. U.S. Army Veteran Capt. Fred Schwark (’05) is the chief financial John Reid (’10) is regional sales officer for Drexel Hamilton, an manager at FreeFlight Systems. investment bank owned and operated by service disabled veterans. Darshan Divakaran (’11) is an unmanned aircraft systems John Janokaitis (’06), who is chief (UAS) program engineer with the of media relations for Aerodyne North Carolina Department of U.S. Army Veteran Capt. David Hansell Fred Schwark Charles Cunningham Ryan Hartman Darshan Divakaran Industries, was honored with the Transportation’s Division of Aviation. Kolcum News and Communications He has expertise in unmanned and Award at the National Space Club manned aviation, flight operations, Florida Committee’s 2018 Celebrate airborne safety, remote sensing, Space Awards Banquet. The award geospatial analysis and program recognizes news media and other management. He is the subject communications professionals for matter expert on unmanned aviation excellence in telling the space story for the North Carolina Governor’s along Florida’s Space Coast and office, legislature, state agencies When you GIVE to throughout the world. Janokaitis and public safety organizations. is in his 40th year at the Kennedy He co-leads efforts to work with Embry-Riddle, you start something Joe Williams Landon Breazeale Dustin L. Wallace Adam Luck Roger Sultan, left, and Todd Breem Space Center and serves as a project government agencies, industry and manager supporting NASA and the higher education in North Carolina that could change everything. Space Launch System Program. to integrate a statewide UAS plan Brad Brandt (’97, ’10), who is Global Competitive Conference on Jaclyn Gilbert (’98) was elected Jah joined 20 change-makers from focused on public safety operations. aviation director at the Louisiana Feb. 9, 2019, in Washington, D.C. to the National Business Aviation around the world to deliver a talk Timothy Mercer (’08) joined Bluestein He also oversees flight operations Department of Transportation and Price is the scramjet propulsion Association’s Certified Aviation on the TED stage in April. Jah Thompson Sullivan in South Carolina. safety for the Federal Aviation Planned gifts transform lives. For Development, received the state’s technical area lead at AFRL’s Manager Governing Board. She is is the first astrodynamicist and An attorney, he will practice exclusively Administration’s UAS Integration more information about including Civil Service League’s Dunbar Award Aerospace Systems Directorate. the training program manager for trip aerospace engineer to be selected in the area of veterans’ disability. Pilot Program in North Carolina, and Embry-Riddle in your estate plans, visit and the National Association of support services at Universal Weather as a TED Fellow. For more about he is the founder and president of State Aviation Officials’ Chairman’s Gregory J. Bowles (’98), vice and Aviation and vice president of Jah and his research: lift.erau.edu/ Charles Cunningham (’09, ’14) is Airavat, which provides UAS program giftplanning.erau.edu or contact: Award. He was also selected to chair president of global innovation Women in Corporate Aviation. space-junkie. vice president of sales and marketing management and training support to the National Association of State and policy at the General Aviation at ARGUS International. federal, state and local agencies. Jodie Harmon Aviation Officials. Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in Moriba Jah (’99), who is Director of the Legacy Society Washington, D.C., will serve a three- an astrodynamicist, space 2000s Timothy J. Giardino (’09) was Joe Williams (’12) was hired Phone: 386-323-8698 Walter R. Price (’97), who is an year term on the ASTM International environmentalist and an associate appointed vice president of human as F-35 production operations Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) board of directors. Bowles has been professor in aerospace engineering Rebecca DeLorenzo (’03) is resources for Cantata Health, a supervisor at Lockheed Martin Email: [email protected] senior systems engineer, received the with GAMA since 2005. Bowles is and engineering mechanics at executive director of the American provider of electronic health records Aeronautics. Williams is a private Career Achievement in Government also an elected fellow with the Royal the University of Texas at Austin, Red Cross Space Coast Chapter, and financial and revenue cycle pilot and has nearly 23 years of

Award at the 2019 BEYA STEM Aeronautical Society. was selected as a TED Fellow. which covers Brevard, Flagler and ALES MERRICK MORIBA JAH: management solutions. aviation experience, including

32 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 33 EAGLE AUTHORS Benjamin Jones Jr. (’18) Donna Roberts (’10), an Marriages/ authored a book of poetry titled associate professor and chair Inside a King’s Mind, which was of the social sciences and Engagements published in 2019. Jones is an economics department and Second Officer Ronald Lee, ON THE BOOKSHELF Brandon Parrish and First Officer Ching Kwok and aircraft service technician who undergraduate research at Brandon Parrish (’16) proposed Veronica McGowan Capt. Matt McLaughlin works at Gulfstream Aerospace Embry-Riddle’s College of Arts & to Veronica McGowan (’16) in in Savannah, Georgia, as a Sciences in Germany, authored December 2018 with a ring that contractor. He earned an two poetry books: Sometimes had just flown to space on Virgin associate degree in aeronautics the Runner Stumbles: Brief Galactic’s VSS Unity SpaceShipTwo. Paul “Pauly” Freeman (’91, ’98) from Embry-Riddle. Glimpses of Descent Vol. Both work for The Spaceship authored The Legendary Hunters of I, published in 2016; and Company, the Virgin Galactic Texas: A True Story of Honor, Courage Herbert McKinley (’86) Sometimes the Angel Falls: sister company that manufactured and Commitment, which was published authored Thayer’s Return: Early Brief Glimpses of Descent, Vol. SpaceShipTwo. in 2016. It documents the history of History of West Point in Verse, II, published in 2019. Roberts VF-201/VFA-201, the first Naval Reserve which was published in 2019. earned an MBA – Aviation and a

Capt. John M. Antoniades Jet Fighter Squadron to perform live This narrative poem presents Master of Aeronautical Science and First Officer Joseph Rizzo combat missions during a Naval Reserve a fictional discussion between from Embry-Riddle. Fighter Squadron’s unit mobilization Sylvanus Thayer, the father of Other into active duty service (Operation Iraqi West Point, and a modern-day James Sowell (’99) authored Freedom, 2003). Freeman was the F-18 cadet. The author, who uses the Making Larger Space Station Roger Sultan (’93) recently flew unit maintenance chief for the North Texas pen name H.J. Koch, earned a Ships for Solar System with fellow Eagle Todd Breem squadron, which was decommissioned in B.S. in Professional Aeronautics Exploration, published in (’94). Both men are pilots for United 2007. A former adjunct faculty member, from Embry-Riddle. He is a 2016 by Lambert Academic Airlines. Sultan, who is based in he currently works as a Federal Aviation captain on the Airbus 330 for Publishing. Based on Sowell’s Washington, D.C., was recently Administration aviation safety inspector/ American Airlines and resides in master’s thesis conducted at upgraded to B737 captain. program manager. He earned a B.S. in Raleigh, North Carolina. American Public University,

From left: Kurt Brulisauer, Capt. Tim Professional Aeronautics and a Master of the book addresses the history Kurt Brulisauer (’00), Andrew Creagh, Silver Airways CEO Steve Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle. Wes Oleszewski (’87) of space stations and optimal Nicholson (’02, ’08, ’10) and Rossum and Andrew Nicholson All sale proceeds from the book are authored Invisible Evil, which space station design, and Capt. Tim Creagh (’04), who are donated to support veterans who suffer was published in 2018. The includes a space station design all Silver Airways employees, from post-traumatic stress disorder. suspense novel subsequently invented by the author. Sowell recently celebrated the airlines’ structure mechanics, low observable Nicholas Ferraz (’16, ’17) is became a No. 1 Amazon.com earned a B.S. in Professional first U.S. commercial flight of the (stealth) coatings and nondestructive a manufacturing engineer at Elliot J. Gindis (’08) co-authored Up Bestseller in three categories: Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle. ATR-600. Brulisauer is senior vice testing. He held leadership positions Lockheed Martin. and Running with AutoCAD 2019: Aviation, Aviation World History He is an aerospace consultant, president of ground operations and in the U.S. Navy for more than 15 2D Drafting and Design, which was and Aviation Piloting and Flight a member of the American supply chain, Nicholson is safety years, and was most recently one of Dustin L. Wallace (’16), a published by Elsevier, Inc., in 2018. It Instruction. “It’s a stunning Institute of Aeronautics and specialist, and Creagh is assistant just six nondestructive inspectors at lieutenant commander in the U.S. is the 10th edition of his original book, aviation thriller with a twist you Astronautics and a member of system chief pilot. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Navy Reserve and a licensed chief Up and Running with AutoCAD 2009. won’t see coming,” Oleszewski the AIAA Space Colonization Worth, Texas. engineer in the U.S. Coast Guard, Gindis, who was a professional AutoCAD says. The author of 25 books Technical Committee. Capt. John M. Antoniades (’04) was selected for NASA’s next Human draftsman prior to enrolling at Embry- since 1991, Oleszewski is and First Officer Joseph Rizzo (’02) Adam Luck (’13), CEO of City Care, Exploration Research Analog (HERA) Riddle, started writing the first edition a former commercial airline Shane Twede (’05) authored shared the cockpit recently and was appointed to the Oklahoma mission. Located at Johnson Space of the book while he was a student at captain and corporate pilot, Escape from Ludomania, an avi- got air traffic control services from Pardon and Parole Board. City Care Center in Houston, Texas, HERA is the Daytona Beach Campus. “After being and the creator/illustrator of ation-based adventure novel that Brad Mason (’08). is a nonprofit organization serving a three-story habitat designed to introduced to the managing editor of the syndicated Klyde Morris was published in 2018. Twede is Oklahoma City’s homeless population. serve as an analog for isolation, Elsevier Science & Technology division by comic strip. He holds a B.S. a commercially rated pilot and Second Officer Ronald Lee (’14), confinement and remote conditions one of my professors, Dr. Howard Curtis, in Aeronautical Science from lives in Washington. He earned a First Officer Ching Kwok (’07) and Kofi Atiemo (’16) was recently in exploration scenarios. In 2016, I was signed to a publishing contract and Embry-Riddle. B.S. in Professional Aeronautics Capt. Matt McLaughlin, a Worldwide promoted to Captain B777 at Emirates Wallace was a scientist-astronaut got my first edition published,” he says. from Embry-Riddle, and is Campus student, were three of four Airlines. In a career spanning 17 candidate with Project PoSSUM Gindis, who earned a B.S. in Aerospace also the author of the Derby & pilots on an April 12, 2019, flight of a years, he has flown the DC9, B737, (Polar Suborbital Science in the Engineering, is a flight test engineer for Charlie children’s book series. Cathay Pacific Boeing 777, flying from SAAB340 and B757/767. Prior to Upper Mesosphere). the U.S. Air Force. He updates his book Chicago O’Hare to Hong Kong. aviation, Atiemo worked in wireless each year as new AutoCAD software ARE YOU AN AUTHOR? communications as a support engineer. is developed. Gindis also owns and Eagle Authors features traditionally and self-published books authored by Embry-Riddle alumni and He currently resides in Dubai, United operates Vertical Technologies Consulting faculty. To have your book considered, email [email protected] by May 1 for the fall edition and by Arab Emirates, with his wife, Eunice, a and Design, an AutoCAD training firm. Dec. 1 for the spring. Submission does not guarantee publication. consultant pediatrician.

34 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 35 TALKING In Memoriam TAILWINDS

Trustee Emeritus John C. ‘Jay’ Adams Jr. (HonDoc ’08) • Aug. 7, 2019

Jay Adams was passionate about the university he helped University Sports Complex and the Crotty Tennis Complex. bring to the Daytona Beach area from Miami in 1965, as a His efforts put Embry-Riddle on the map, literally. Adams Hall, member of the Committee of 100. The volunteer committee a residence hall on campus, is named in his honor. was formed to attract and recruit industry and jobs to the area, A stalwart supporter of Eagle Athletics, in 2015, Jay was but Jay’s dedication to the then-flight school would surpass honored as a distinguished member of the Embry-Riddle even his expectations. Athletics Hall of Fame. And, in 2017, he and his wife, Leila, In 2015, at the 50th anniversary of Embry-Riddle’s move to were celebrated at the annual Blue & Gold Gala for their more Daytona Beach — called Operation Bootstrap, because of the than 50 years of dedication and support to the university and volunteer labor and sweat equity it took to move the school the athletics program. — Jay beamed: “Obviously, I’m very proud of [Embry-Riddle]. “Embry-Riddle benefited directly from his generosity and We’ve come a long way. It makes all the work worthwhile.” from his tireless advocacy for Daytona Beach,” Butler says. WATCH “We owe a debt of gratitude to Jay for his service as Jay passed away on Aug. 7, 2019, at the age of 83. He is Jay and Leila Adams were a chairman and member of our Board of Trustees,” says survived by his wife, Leila Johnson Adams, daughters Julie honored in 2017 at the university President P. Barry Butler. “In his 41 years as a board Adams Rand and Ruthie Pickett (King Pickett), and three Blue & Gold Gala for their member, he worked with every president of the university. He grandchildren: Caroline Carter Rand, Leila Elizabeth Pickett long-standing commitment was also an Eagle ‘super fan’ who supported our athletes with and Carly Crafts Pickett. to Embry-Riddle: lift.erau. internship opportunities and scholarship funds.” Help celebrate Jay’s life and passion for Embry-Riddle. edu/videos-fall-2019. As a trustee, Jay led the university’s major capital Contribute to the Jay and Leila Adams Family Athletic campaigns that funded the construction of the ICI Center, the Endowed Scholarship: givingto.erau.edu/adams.

Molly Hatchet Concert Draws a Crowd Thomas W. “Tom” Butler (’68) Taylor A. Brennan (’11) 1940s Dec. 2, 2018 1990s May 1, 2019 Lift Readers identify the date, occasion and several students in this photo (published in ’s spring 2019 edition) of a concert Walter E. Whitacre (’68, ’05, ’13) James W. Hill (’11) hosted at the John Paul Riddle Student Center, aka University Center (U.C.), at the Daytona Beach Campus. Thomas F. Root (’41) May 2, 2019 David W. Amberg II (’90) March 21, 2019

Feb. 7, 2019 March 3, 2019 Kevin L. Schafer (’12) chairman, serving with Chairman Insane Crowd Roommates Spotted! William “Bill” Warren Powers (’91) April 1, 2019 I’m in that picture! Saw it and said, The photo is from the spring 1985 Mark Creager (’86, ’91) and Stage Feb. 20, 2019 Retired U.S. Army yeah, I was there (see right side), trimester, and based on the banners Manager Darrin Bond. 1950s 1970s DeeDee A. (Farster) Willard (’94) Lt. Col. Lonnie E. Slade Jr. (’14) along with Dan Gaudet (’89). It in the background, sometime in Molly Hatchet was the only concert May 20, 2019 Jan. 8, 2019 was spring of 1985; Molly Hatchet February. I recognize two of my old that year and one of only a handful Kenneth O. Harbour (’51) Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Steven Yang Ho Cho (HonDoc ’98) Richard “Rich” Willard Dawson (’18) performed in the U.C. [It] really was roommates in the photo: David Nelson where we used the “Flight Deck” bar/ May 3, 2019 Joseph Uhrin (’79) April 7, 2019 Dec. 9, 2018 insanely packed in there. (’85) and Steve Williams (’86), both in pub area for the stage. In addition, Molly Willard E. Lineburg (’59) March 30, 2019 Rucie Moore (’98) the front row. I’m pretty sure I was Hatchet’s concert contract rider required March 6, 2019 Shannon N. Smith (’18) April 16, 2019 Jan. 4, 2019 Derrick Seys (’90) also there, as I volunteered on the us to rent a specific make/model of B.S. Aeronautical Engineering Entertainment Committee. piano, and it happened to be white. 1960s 1980s Molly Hatchet (especially David 2000s OTHER Retired U.S. Air Force Hlubek) had some very specific/legal Donald J. Cambria (’61) Lambda Chi Alpha Brothers Lt. Col. Patrick D. Moroney (’85) language in their contract rider. The Col. Wayne P. Mayfield (’80) April 2, 2019 David J. Farley (’02) David Comstock Hazen I received the spring issue of Lift B.S. Aeronautical Engineering concert marked the first time we Dec. 5, 2018 Feb. 20, 2019 Former Chair of the Aerospace and on the back is a photo of a very had security-trained/radio-equipped Thomas S. “Sid” Mann III (’61) Michael R. Bevacqua (’84) March 6, 2019 Michael T. Keefe (’05) Dept. and Dean of Graduate Studies young version of me. I’m pictured members of the Entertainment Feb. 21, 2019 Feb. 2, 2019 April 27, 2019 one row back from the front, just Committee (dressed in plain clothes/ Kenneth L. Mitchell (’61) Insider Information Lawrence G. Weisman (’85) Retired U.S. Army right of center, and proudly showing The photo was taken the evening of undercover) pre-positioned in the front April 4, 2019 March 16, 2019 Retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Sr. Master Sgt. Lt. Col. Charles E. Richardson my Lambda Chi Alpha colors. The Saturday, March 2, 1985, at the Molly row of the crowd. Two that I recognize Oscar R. Otero (’61) Retired U.S. Air Force William S. Rahiser (’05) Professor Emeritus person just over my left shoulder is Hatchet concert hosted by E-RAU are Paul Brinkman (’87), one of our March 9, 2019 Maj. Kendall “Kenny” March 23, 2019 March 5, 2019 Bobby Flynn (’87), and the gentleman Entertainment, part of the Student lead stage crew members, and Chad Edward O. Broach (’63) Eugene Sears Jr. (’86) Sean Archuleta (’06) with his left hand up to my left is Government Association. Not only was Sanders, our lead sound engineer. May 2, 2019 Jan. 5, 2019 Feb. 23, 2019 Matt Maranto (’85), both also Lambda I there, but I helped organize and run I believe one of the Phoenix Charles Fredrick Retired U.S. Air Force Chi Alphas. the show. yearbook photographers took the photo. Shipley III, M.D. (’64) Maj. Ralph Rushworth (‘87) Richard J. Mosler (’08) I was a very active member of Dec. 17, 2018 March 20, 2019 Jan. 9, 2019 Al Witkowski (’87) the Entertainment Committee from David C. “Hoss” Robertson (’86) B.S. Aeronautical Engineering 1982-1986. In 1985, I was vice B.S. Aeronautical Science HELP US MEMORIALIZE EMBRY-RIDDLE EAGLES Notify the alumni engagement office at [email protected], if you are aware of any classmates who have died. For obituaries and up-to-date death notices, visit alumni.erau.edu/passings.

36 LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT FALL 2019 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 37 NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE OFFICE OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT PAID STEVENS POINT WI PERMIT NO. 272

TAILWINDS

Out West

Are you in this picture? Do you know someone who is? Judging by the colorful bandannas and the high desert backdrop, this photo was taken at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus in Arizona, possibly at a reception of some kind at the Spruance House. The hairstyles scream 1980s. But, beyond these general assumptions, we know nothing about this photo. Help us fill the gaps in Embry-Riddle’s institutional knowledge. Tell us about the event and the people in this photo. We’ll share the details in the next edition of Lift.

Photo courtesy of the Embry-Riddle Archives

Photo courtesy of the Embry-Riddle Archives