The exclusive magazine covering the news and activities of the Regional Association

2011 ISSUE Available on www.raa.org

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT Women in

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RAA The Regional Airline Association is Are you now accepting scholarship applications interested in for students attending RAA member applying for a universities or colleges. Visit www.raa.org for application scholarship to information.

study for a career Don’t delay! Deadline is April 1, 2011! in the airline Scholarships will be awarded without Saluting the women contributors of regard to gender, race, religion or the regional airline industry industry? national origin. Roger Cohen The Regional Airline Association, like the , International, is commit- ted to supporting the next generation of aviators—young men and women—and why we continue to develop our scholarship program, through the support of our Associate Pick your support Member Council, identifying students for college-level studies in the field of aviation. of the 36th Annual RAA Convention See details about our scholarship opportunities on page 2. We recognize that there are many remarkably talented women that hold important in Nashville, Tennessee jobs and fill critical roles in maintaining safe, professional and reliable regional airline May 16-19, 2011 operations. In our limited space in this new Regional Horizons “Women in Aviation” Special Supplement, we’ve highlighted a dozen women that contribute daily with various job skills to the nation’s air transportation system. We applaud your efforts, and encour- ■ General information: ■ Advertise in the official RAA age young women with talents of all kinds—graphic design, law, education, human Staci Morgan Convention News daily issues: resources, management skills, IT and technical expertise—to consider joining the avia- [email protected] Cheryl Goldsby tion community. 202/367-2323 [email protected] Here in our Washington, DC offices, RAA is proud to acknowledge the tremendous 703/737-6752 efforts of the women on our staff and our extended team. We hope you’ll be inspired to ■ Exhibitors: pursue an aviation career when you read some of the stories inside this supplement. David Perez-Hernandez ■ Sponsorship opportunities: To learn more about the regional airline industry, join RAA at the 36th Annual [email protected] Diana Lundie Convention in Nashville, May 16-19, and visit www.raa.org for details. 202/367-1139 [email protected] RAA Representatives Staci Morgan ([email protected]) and Kelly Murphy of Emerald 704/784-5862 Media ([email protected]) will be attending this year’s convention in Reno, and if they don’t introduce themselves first to you, feel free to say hi to them! Best of luck to all – and safe flying!

Roger Cohen Save the date! RAA President RAA Summer Seminars Human Resources, Inflight and Drug & Alcohol Testing REGIONAL HORIZONS Regional Horizons is published quarterly by Emerald Media in partnership with RAA. Regional Airline Association July 24-27, 2011 New Orleans 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800 Editor Kelly Murphy, Emerald Media | [email protected] Washington, DC 20036 Contributing editor Carole Shifrin Design and Jennifer Moore RAA 37th Annual Convention Tel: 202/367-1170 Fax: 202/367-2170 Layout Aeris Graphic Design | [email protected] [email protected] • www.raa.org Advertising Cheryl Goldsby | [email protected] May 21-24, 2012 Minneapolis Printed in USA February 2011 ©2011 RAA All rights reserved REGIONAL HORIZONS | Women in Aviation | 3 Cover photo by Noah Kuehnast of PacMin Inc. A look at the stats… “Why don’t women run ?” is a new, four-part series in the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation’sAirline Leader maga- zine. Reviewing the profiles of over 200 Proportion of Women airlines around the world, the magazine Managers by Carrier Type % found just 15 female CEOs/MDs, of which JOB FUNCTION FSC LCC REGIONAL half are from low cost carriers (LCC). The report notes: “On balance, the women who CEO 4 10 10 progress more readily tend to have worked COO 2 0 3 in regional or startup airlines where the proximity to the coal face is greater. This CFO 11 18 10 means it becomes less important to help 22nd Annual General counsel 7 10 13 the woman executive move through differ- Customer service 4 10 10 ent commercial experiences, because this International Women in track is anyway unavoidable. The maga- Communications/ Aviation Conference 11 10 7 zine’s research shows “in most cases govt affairs the newer or regional airlines have a February 24-26, 2011 Dr. Peggy Chabrian Marketing/planning 21 43 10 greater percentage of women in senior Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, positions with a very high proportion of CIO 3 0 7 women in the marketing and planning Women in Aviation: The Facts Human resources 19 10 27 roles in low-cost airlines.” Women have been involved in aviation since its earliest days. From E. Lillian Todd, In-flight services 5 8 23 Visit www.airlineleader.com to read the who designed and built aircraft in 1906 to , who became the first woman Cargo head 3 0 0 entire series. pilot for a US commercial airline in 1934, women have assumed a variety of roles in the industry. At the close of the 20th century, Astronaut Eileen Collins became the first Source: Airline Leader, December 2010-January 2011 issue female Space Shuttle Commander. During the last two decades, the number of women involved in the aviation indus- Current Statistics of Women in Aviation Careers in US try has steadily increased and women can be found in nearly every aviation occupation Pilots Non-Pilots today. However, the numbers are small by comparison. Women pilots, for example, Source: FAA’s Aeronautical Center (12.31.07 data) Source: FAA’s Aeronautical Center (12.31.07 data) represent only six percent of the total pilot population. ALL WOMEN ALL WOMEN At the first Annual International Women in Aviation Conference in 1990, partici- pants recognized the need for more women in the industry and for a support group to 666,559 NonPilot (total) 138,452 20.77% 590,349 Pilots (total) 35,784 6.06% serve as mentors, advisors and interested colleagues. Following a number of successful 84,339 Students 9,559 11.33% 322,852 Mechanic* 6,524 2.02% conferences, Women in Aviation, International (WAI) was established as a professional, non-profit organization in 1994 to address those needs. We are dedicated to encourag- 239 Recreational 17 7.11% 40,277 Repairmen* 2,193 5.44% ing young people to consider aviation careers as well as provide networking opportuni- Parachute 2,031 Sport 64 3.15% 8,186 594 7.26% ties for women and men throughout the aviation industry. Rigger* 211,096 Private* 13,694 6.49% Ground 115,127 Commercial* 7,101 6.17% 74,544 5,726 7.68% Instructor* 143,953 Airline Transport* 5,349 3.72% Dr. Peggy Chabrian 19,043 Dispatcher* 3,087 16.21% WAI President & Founder 12,290 Rotorcraft (only) NA NA 250 Flight Navigator 1 0.40% 21,274 Glider (only) NA NA 147,013 118,426 80.55% Flight 92,175 6,232 6.76% 54,394 Flight Engineer 1,901 3.49% Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit 501(C) Instructors** (3) organization dedicated to providing networking, * Includes pilots with an only certificate. Also includes * Numbers represent all certificates on record. education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities those with an airplane and a and/or glider certificate. No medical examination required. for women (and men) who are striving for challeng- For example, if a pilot holds a private airplane certificate and a ing and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aero- commercial helicopter certificate, the pilot would be categorized space industries. For more information about WAI and as commercial. its Annual Convention visit www.wai.org ** Not included in total pilots.

4 | REGIONAL HORIZONS | Women in Aviation REGIONAL HORIZONS | Women in Aviation | 5 women in aviation women in aviation

MAINTENANCE EDUCATION TRAINING During the next 16 months, she earned her private pilot’s license and instrument rating, Captain Krista Poppe and then moved to Atlanta to earn her multi- Manager-JetBlue University Gateway engine rating and commercial pilot’s license. Program at Cape Air For four years she worked for Georgia Power as a power line patroller before being hired in Krista Poppe joined Cape Air in 2008 as a 1984 at Atlantic Southeast Airlines. First Officer and in addition to working in pilot Mitzi was Number 120 on the seniority list recruitment soon became involved with the of 120 pilots when she piloted her first flight in JetBlue University Gateway Program. She has the right seat of an Embraer Bandeirante. She since become a Captain, and also manages the upgraded to captain several years later on the gateway program, as well as pilot recruitment Brasilia and eventually flew the airline’s Dash 7, for Cape Air. Krista enjoys working with each CRJ200, CRJ700 and CRJ900. of the students as they progress through the In 1997, Mitzi became the first line pilot program from interns to captains at Cape Air. to pass the CRJ check ride and soon after be- “We really enjoy learning about each came a line check airman. She eventually was student during their internship semester at appointed Atlantic Southeast’s Flight Opera- Cape Air. It’s a chance to really see what these tions Security Manager and then transferred young adults are made of, and develop lasting to the airline’s training department in 2003, Lillian Dukes relationships. My goal is to be a resource for Captain Mitzi Young where she has been a check airman for Atlan- Vice President-Technical Services each of them throughout this program and Atlantic Southeast Airlines tic Southeast’s entire jet fleet, a ground school for American Eagle their careers. To have the ability to connect instructor and simulator instructor. with the future of this industry is rewarding Mitzi didn’t always want to be a pilot. While With 27 years as a commercial airline pilot, Lillian is widely recognized as someone mak- and a lot of fun. Plus I can easily relate, I only going to college, she was working as a book- Mitzi is now No. 19 on the seniority list of more ing a difference in the technology industry. graduated college three years ago!” keeper at a small flying club in Columbus, GA, than 1,700 pilots. “I love this place, and this She has spoken internationally on issues Cape Air teamed up with JetBlue and two when one of the club’s members invited her is where I want to be. Regional airlines aren’t facing maintenance organizations within the of the top aviation universities in the country, to go for a flight. Once in the air, she knew in- just stepping stones to something bigger airlines and has continued to mentor students the University of North Dakota and Embry stantly that flying was something she wanted anymore; they’re a place where you can have and employees in their professional growth. Riddle Aeronautical University, to create a one to do for the rest of her life. a long-term career, and this one is special.” With more than 20 years in the aerospace of a kind program which takes a young aviator industry, Lillian began her career as an engi- from their studies at the University to the neer with General Electric Aerospace. Prior JetBlue cockpit, as an airline captain. IT SOLUTIONS to joining American Eagle, she spent 11 years Education: Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science with the Maintenance and from Saint Louis University Kerry Frank Engineering organization, where she held President/CEO of Balanced IT Solutions various leadership positions in Purchasing, Inventory Control, Engineering, Component Using her leadership skills and creative abili- Maintenance and Production Control. ties, Kerry has developed an alternative to In April 2001, she left American to join Mid- the redundant manual processes plaguing west Airlines, where she assumed the position virtually all airlines, specifically the man- of Director-Technical Services. She later held agement of employee training and regula- the position of Vice President-Maintenance tory compliance. The company’s product: for Independence Air before joining American COMPLY365 provides a streamlined electronic Eagle in 2006, as Vice President-Technical system that increases the productivity of all Services. functional areas where it is used and facili- Education: Master’s degree in Electrical tates communications between all depart- Engineering from Villanova University, Bachelor’s ments of the airline. degree in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics Named President and CEO in July 2009, Her team of industry experts have more than from Carnegie-Mellon University Kerry has established the airline industry as 75 combined years of experience in aviation a goal and vision of Balanced IT Solutions. and IT.

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REGULATORY MANAGEMENT SAFETY GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Lesley Kaneshiro Megan Rosia CEO of Hawaii Island Air Vice President-Government Affairs for Pinnacle Airlines Corp. The first woman regional airline CEO, Lesley Kaneshiro was promoted in January 2010 to Megan joined Pinnacle Airlines Corp. in the lead the Honolulu-based Hawaii Island Air. new position of Vice President of Government Previously serving as the Vice President- Affairs and reports directly to Phil Trenary, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Lesley has President and CEO. Based in Washington, been with the regional airline since 2004 and DC, Megan worked for 12 years as the chief previously spent four years at Aloha Airlines regulatory attorney for Northwest Airlines, as as Director-Treasury Services. Managing Director-Government Affairs and Charged with growing the company and Associate General Counsel. After her tenure returning it to profitability, as well as rebuild- with Northwest, Megan was appointed to ing employee moral, customer confidence, serve as FAA Assistant Administrator for Gov- reliability and onboard quality, the Dash 8 ernment and Industry Affairs. She coordinated operator operates 392 weekly flights on all Deborah A. P. Hersman with Congress, industry and other executive Peggy Gilligan of the major Hawaiian Islands. Currently, the 12th Chairman of the National branch agencies on major aviation legislative FAA Associate Administrator for airline employs 250. Transportation Safety Board initiatives, including FAA reauthorization and Aviation Safety Lesley encourages young women consider- appropriation bills. Most recently, Megan was ing a career in aviation to study hard in school The keynote speaker at the RAA 35th Annual a partner with Crowell & Moring in Wash- Peggy has been with the Federal Aviation and seek out opportunities to learn about the Convention in Milwaukee, WI, Deborah has ington, DC, practicing in the firm’s nationally Administration since 1980 and before she was field of aviation. Island Air currently provides been a Member of the NTSB since June 2004 recognized aviation and public policy groups. named to her current position in January 2009, an educational opportunity for students and has chaired a number of public events A native of Vienna, VA, Megan and her she served as the Deputy Associate Administra- interested in aviation careers and encourages hosted by the Board. During her tenure, she husband, Mark, have two sons and reside in tor for 14 years. As Associate Administrator, Peg- them to apply for the Island Air Explorer Pro- has been the Member on the scene of 19 Bethesda, MD. gy leads the organization responsible for setting, gram. The airline holds Explorer Post #2437 major transportation accidents. Education: J.D. from College of William and Mary overseeing, and enforcing safety standards from Learning For Life, an affiliate of the Boy She holds a commercial drivers license for all parts of the aviation industry – airlines, Scouts of America. The 10-week program with passenger, school bus, and air brake manufacturers, repair stations, pilots, mechanics, is a great introduction with hands on airline endorsements. She successfully completed air traffic controllers, and any person or product experience from employee volunteers who a motorcycle basic rider course and holds that operates in aviation. These programs have perform the daily functions. a motorcycle endorsement. She is a certi- a direct impact on every facet of domestic and fied Child Passenger Safety Technician. She international civil aviation safety. has also completed the 40-hour HAZWOPER Since 2001, Peggy has served as the gov- (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency ernment co-chair of the Commercial Aviation Response Standard) training course. Safety Team – a joint industry/government Before joining the Board, Chairman Hers- group committed to improving aviation safety man was a Senior Professional Staff Member by reducing the risk of accidents. The fatal ac- of the US Senate Committee on Commerce, cident rate in US commercial aviation dropped Science and Transportation from 1999 to 2004 by 65% from 1997 to 2007 – in part due to the where she was responsible for a number of work of this team. transportation issues, and earlier served as Peggy was Chief of Staff at the FAA, serving Staff Director and Senior Legislative Aide to four Administrators. She also served in the Chief Congressman Bob Wise of West . Counsel’s office in Washington and as a staff She is married and is the mother of three sons. attorney in FAA’s Eastern Region in . Education: Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science Education: 1979 graduate of Boston University School and International Studies, Virginia Tech University; of Law, 1975 graduate of Manhattanville College Master of Science degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University

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GRAPHIC DESIGN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PEOPLE EDUCATION Nadya Hernandez Lori Hunt Graphic Artist for PacMin Vice President-People for SkyWest

As a child, Nadya constantly visited airports With a 25-year career at SkyWest, Lori learned with her parents to watch take off and the ropes at the airline’s front lines in 1985 as a land. She was always intrigued by their power reservations agent in St. George, UT and eventu- and the thought of these huge masses flying ally worked her way to become station manager high in the sky at speeds of 500 plus miles per in Palm Springs, CA. In 1994, Lori was promoted hour. Her parents were very familiar with the to Regional Director, overseeing SkyWest Delta words “When I grow up I want to be a pilot”. Connection stations in the Mountain West. In Nadya grew up sharing her father’s hobby of 2005, Lori was named Director – Delta Connec- building and painting miniature airplanes, as well tion at SkyWest’s largest hub in Salt Lake City. In as trains, automobiles, houses and buildings. that position she was responsible for the station The bond she shared with her father built her operations at 60 SkyWest and contract locations, knowledge of model airplanes over the years and worked closely with SkyWest’s mainline and ultimately prepared her for her perfect partners Delta and United. dream job. When she was promoted to her current She started working in inventory at age position as Vice President - People in November Carolyn Williamson 17 at California-based PacMin, a 65-year-old 2007, Lori played an integral role in the com- Chief Executive of the University manufacturer of aviation models. Eventually she Ellen Dolinar pany’s evolution and success in a rapidly chang- Aviation Association worked her way into the graphics department Senior Manager-Corporate Safety for ing environment. Today, she oversees SkyWest’s learning about the technical aspects of making Republic Airways Holdings employee relations, corporate communications, Carolyn is the only woman to serve as the aviation models of all types and sizes. Now nine cultural and leadership development divisions organization’s chief executive in its 63-year years later, Nadya continues to have the same Ellen draws on her more than 15 years of to support an operation of more than 11,000 history – a role she assumed one month after excitement and passion for her job. “I appreci- experience in the commercial airline industry for aviation professionals. She continues her pas- 9/11. She serves as editor of Collegiate Avia- ate what PacMin represents: Giving Flight to her current role in administering the Republic sion for maintaining a people-oriented culture tion News and the Collegiate Aviation Guide, Imagination!” Airways emergency response plan, including its at SkyWest by focusing on exceptional service a comprehensive guide of more than 100 Education: Graphic Design at California State Family Assistance program for all of its carriers. through education and experience. degree-granting programs in the University, Fullerton She has also overseen OSHA compliance for the She and her husband, Brent, have three and Canada, and as a contributor for several company and ensured it met hazmat shipping children. other publications and articles. Carolyn is a and environmental regulations. Most recently, founding board member of Women in Avia- RAA selected Ellen to chair the association’s tion, International (WAI) and served as staff Emergency Response Working Group. vice president from 1997 to 2001. Additionally, Her broad industry experience in safety she was the founding editor of WAI’s maga- and regulatory compliance is integral for her zine, Aviation for Women. interface with the critical operational and safety Carolyn has spent most of her profes- components of all Republic’s certificated carriers. sional career in and around collegiate aviation Ellen works closely with her safety counterparts education; including almost a decade in Auburn at the Company’s five legacy airline partners. University’s Department of Aerospace Engi- Before joining Republic in 2000, Ellen worked neering—home of the Aviation Management for PSA Airlines as a flight attendant and owned program at the time—and in the President’s and operated a graphic design company in Office. For the past eight years, she has served . She lives in Indianapolis, IN and as a member of the Auburn University Aviation volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House of Management Advisory Board. Indianapolis. As an active member in a number of aviation Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication organizations, and as a private pilot and aircraft Design from Pratt Institute and maintains OSHA 511 owner, Carolyn spends much of her leisure time and 501 certificates for General Industry engaged in aviation-centered activities.

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