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Arizona Airports Association

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of the President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice President, Administrative Director, Immediate Past-President, four (4) Executive Directors, two (2) Associate Directors, and a Corporate Director. The Board of Directors shall establish policy for the Association. The Board shall monitor the activities of the President and advise him/her in the performance of his/her duties. The Board of Directors is empowered to make any decision and to take any action on behalf of AzAA, which appears too urgent to await a meeting of the general membership. The Board shall act as the contracting authority for those matters concerning the operation, development and growth of the Association and the well being of the membership.

To view the current AzAA Board of Directors Operating Procedures & Guidelines document, please click here.


President

Sarah Demory, A.A.E., ACE
Assistant Aviation Director
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
2485 E. Buckeye Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602)
273-2165


Sarah Demory, A.A.E., ACE is the Assistant Aviation Director for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department leading the Airport Operations, Aviation Facilities and Services, Public Safety and Security programs as well as the teams at Phoenix Goodyear and Deer Valley Airports. Previously, she was the Airport Deputy Director for Operations and Security at the Boise, Idaho Airport leading the Airport Operations, Airfield Maintenance, Custodial and Technology teams. Prior to her role in Boise, Demory held numerous progressively responsible positions in Airport Operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Sarah also has experience working at Omaha's Eppley Airfield as well as Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport.

Demory has a commercial pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings and is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). She is also an AAAE Certified Member (C.M.), Certified Airport Security Coordinator, and Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Operations. Sarah has a master of science in aviation as well as a bachelor of business administration in aviation management from the University of North Dakota.

First Vice President

Dave Reffner
Airport Manager
City of Casa Grande
3225 N. Lear Ave.
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
(520) 421-8625 ext. 3347

David Reffner has been the Airport Manager at the KCGZ – Casa Grande Municipal since June 2018. His primary duties include planning and directing the daily operations of a busy general aviation airport; developing short and long term planning and goals for the Airport; promoting airport development through marketing and development of airport policies and procedures. He also works on ACIP preparation and presentation and grant/project management. He coordinates with FAA, ADOT and other agencies on Airport and Air Transportation matters and has been affiliated with AzAA since 2015.

Prior to working as an Airport Manager, David was the Airport Operations Technician for the KCGZ – Casa Grande Municipal from August 2012 to June 2018. He worked on the management of airport lease agreements and was the acting FBO operations. David is ACE Fuel Safety Supervisor Certified and NATA Safety 1st Professional Line Service Technician.

David is also a Reserve Firefighter II/EMT/SRT and has been since September 2013. He provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the citizens of Rural Pinal County. He is Firefighter 1 & 2 certified and is a certified Arizona DHS Emergency Medical Technician.

David currently attends Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is in the Aviation Business Administration Program. He previously attended the Central Arizona College from 2013 to 2014 in the Emergency Medical Services Program. He also holds a Business major and Fire Science minor from Northland Pioneer College.


Second Vice President

Jeffrey Tripp, A.A.E., ACE
Airport Manager
Cottonwood Municipal Airport
1001 W. Mingus Ave.
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
(928) 340-2722


Jeff is currently the Airport Manager for Cottonwood Municipal Airport and has worked in airport management since 1996 after graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott) in a number of positions at Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa-Falcon Field, and Prescott as well as several out of state airports. He has been an accredited airport executive since 2006 and previously served on the AzAA Board between 2004 and 2011 including a term as Association President in 2009-2010.

Past President

Matthew Smith, C.M.
Airport Administrator
Glendale Municipal Airport

6801 N. Glen Harbor Blvd., Suite 201
Glendale, AZ 85307

Matt Smith was born and raised in Norwich, NY, home of Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport (OIC). After attending Hobart College he moved to Busan, South Korea. In 2001, he moved back to the USA to attend Arizona State University where he received an MS in Aviation Management. After working for several years as a guest professor in the College of Maritime Science at the Korea Maritime and Ocean University, he returned to the ADOT Aeronautics Group in 2016. In 2018 was promoted to Airport Manager at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which is owned and operated by ADOT.

In his spare time Matt volunteers with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was most recently the Division Commander for Arizona. Matt’s primary interests at work are capital improvements and hosting barbecue luncheons for employees and guests.

Executive Director

Jacob Allen
Airport Manager
City of Show Low
3150 E Airport Loop Rd.
Show Low, AZ 85901
(928) 532-4192

Jacob Allen is the Airport Manager for the Show Low Regional Airport. Jacob has 12 years of experience working in the Arizona aviation industry and has been a member of AzAA since 2016. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and Flight from Southern Illinois University. Jacob is an FAA certified commercial pilot and has gained experience in a wide variety of professional positions.

He began his career in the airline industry holding supervisory positions in customer service and ground operations for major Part 121 air carriers. He then served as the Airport Coordinator for Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority where his responsibilities included assisting the Airport Manager to plan, direct, and coordinate airport operations. He has also gained valuable experience working as an Airport Planner for an airport consulting firm that specializes in Airport Master Planning and all types of other airport planning/environmental studies for airports of all sizes and service levels.

Executive Director

Chris Andres
Airport Planning Administrator
Chandler Municipal Airport
2380 S. Stinson Way
Chandler, AZ 85286
(480) 782-3543

Chris is the Airport Planning Administrator for the Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD). He has worked for CHD since 2015. Prior to CHD, Chris worked at the City of Phoenix for 15 years in the Aviation, Downtown Development, and Economic Development departments. He also serves as a board advisor to a local cybersecurity firm and has a master’s degree in environmental planning from Arizona State University.

Executive Director

Cameron Atkins
Airport Manager
Safford Regional Airport
4570 E Aviation Way
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 432-4235


Cameron is currently the Airport Manager for Safford Regional Airport. Prior to taking his current role, Cameron worked as an Operations Officer for Williston Basin International Airport in North Dakota. Cameron is also a member of the Army Reserves and currently serves as an intelligence officer. Cameron holds a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ in Aeronautics.

Executive Director

Edward A. Rose
Airport Manager
Sedona-Oak Creek Airport
235 Air Terminal Drive.
Sedona, AZ 86336
(928) 440-2514


I started my career in the U.S. Air Force; I won’t say how long ago…next I secured a job as an Airport Maintenance Mechanic at my hometown airport, Hudson Valley Regional. After a few years of full time work and full time studies, I advanced into airport management as Director of Airport Operations and later as the Airport’s Director. I’ve lead teams on a myriad of improvement projects. After 33 years, I departed New York for an Operations Manager position at the Sedona Airport. Shortly after arriving I was made Sedona’s Interim Airport Manager and subsequently, the Airport Manager. I have served state aviation organizations in the past. I have gone through the Chairs of the New York Airport Manager’s Association representing the Port Authority of NYNJ, the Capital District Transportation Authority, and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority as well as numerous other Airports in the state. As NYAMA President, I lead a team that worked, successfully, to establish a state aviation grant program.

I’ve advanced a number of projects during my career touching on almost every aspect of airport operation. Some of the more interesting projects have been: regrading and recapping of an abandoned landfill/Superfund site; over 330 acres of tree obstruction removal, including EAs and Supplemental EAs, endangered species habitat and land set-asides; relocation of a congregation/historic church and chapel from Part 77 intrusion (this included SHPO coordination, dismantling and rebuilding on a new foundation); and establishing a new turf runway for taildragger practice. In Sedona, my first action was to develop a Water Master Plan to address needs identified in the Airport’s Master Plan. Next, improve drainage features adjacent to the runway. Third, replacement of an aging fuel storage facility.

I’m also on the Board of Directors for the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. I’m a big believer in staff development and have educated staff on offerings through AAAE. I’m honored to be considered for any position with AZAA! Thank you for your consideration!

Associate Director

Joel Ericson, P.E.
Senior Aviation Engineer
RS&H
2375 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(480) 408-2988



Joel is a Senior Aviation Engineer for RS&H. He has over 15 years’ experience in design, construction, and program management of airfield projects, ranging from small utility projects to Large Hub runway reconstruction. His work is now focused on planting an office in Arizona for RS&H with a primary focus on airfield design and construction. Prior to coming to Arizona he spent 10 years working overseas on various airfield projects across the Middle East and North Africa. He got started in aviation when he joined the team building the New Indianapolis International Airport and has never looked back.

Joel is a graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and a minor in Political Science. He is a registered professional engineer in Arizona.

Joel grew up in Kansas, met his wife in Indiana, and all three of his children were born in the Middle East. He and his family are thrilled to now call Arizona home.


Associate Director

Jenny Watts, C.M.
Senior Aviation Planner

Dibble
3020 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 201
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 957-1155


Jenny Watts, C.M. is a senior aviation planner in Dibble’s Airport Development business unit based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has more than 14 years of comprehensive experience in the aviation industry related to airport management, corporate aviation operations, aviation education, and aviation planning consulting. As a senior planner with Dibble, Jenny assists in creating traditional aviation planning, specialty, and environmental documents for our airport clients at general aviation and commercial service airports throughout the Southwest.

Her experience as an aviation planning consultant spans nine years, three of which have been spent at Dibble in her current role. Jenny has a Master of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in aviation management and a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University in aeronautical management technology. She is also a Certified Member (C.M.) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). She is a native of Arizona and resides in Gilbert.

Corporate Director

Michael Hunter
Vice President

JE Dunn Construction
2000 West University Drive
T
empe, AZ 85281

(602) 390-0006


Michael is a Vice President and Aviation Market Leader for the Southwest at JE Dunn Construction. He has over 40 years’ combined experience in planning, design, development and construction spanning aviation, office, retail, multifamily, federal, corrections, heavy civil, highway and infrastructure. Michael is licensed in commercial construction and general engineering in multiple states for JE Dunn. He has been involved in various capacities in the aviation industry for over 30 years.

Prior to his 13 year tenure with JE Dunn, Michael managed the planning, design and construction of commercial development for 18 years. During the initial 10 years of Michael’s career, he managed heavy civil, highway, infrastructure, aviation and utility plant construction.

Administrative Director

Desirae Barquin
Associate Director
KCA Association Management

1800 E. Ray Rd., Suite A106
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 403-4618

Desirae has been the Administrative Director for the Arizona Airports Association since 2016 through the association management firm of KCA. Desirae is an Arizona native and a graduate of Arizona State University with degrees in Supply Chain Management and Business - Tourism as well as certificates in Special Event Management and Meeting Planning. Her background in logistics and events helps to ensure every detail is covered and meetings run smoothly!

Contact Us
1800 E. Ray Rd.,
Suite A106
Chandler, AZ 85225
P: (480) 403-4618
F: (480) 935-5270
info@azairports.org


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