Current ACRP Ambassadors

Paul Khera began his aviation journey through 20 years of airline service, holding positions throughout the world in customer service, safety, dispatch, and as a Part 135 pilot in rural Alaska. He has been with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) for the past 11 years providing cost effective regulatory compliance for a range of five to 11 certificated airports. Through team building and ample use of ACRP publications, Paul was able to significantly reduce FAA and TSA compliance infractions. In August 2018, Paul accepted the Alaska Southcoast Region Airports Airport Planner position where he manages grants, airport master plans, airport layout plans, land use, and works with a variety of stakeholders to assure optimal airport opportunities.

Paul holds a master’s degree in aeronautical science and safety, an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, and is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) with AAAE. He loves spending time in the great outdoors of Alaska.

Alaskan Region Representative
Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
P.O. Box 112506
Juneau, AK 99811
Tel: (907) 465-4445

Email: paul.khera@alaska.gov

Diane Hofer is the aviation subject matter expert for Olsson in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she leads the firm’s airport market sector and manages complex airport projects. Diane is well-versed in planning, design, and construction projects at airports of all sizes, though she specializes in general aviation airports. Her experience includes more than 100 airports and 300 airport projects. One of her favorite recent projects is the new Gove County Airport near Quinter, Kansas, where she led the site selection for the new airport and then managed the planning, design and construction projects. Diane began her career at the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics (NDA); her latest position was Deputy Director of Planning and Engineering. She is a registered professional engineer in seven states and holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In addition to her passion for aviation, Diane has a goal to hike in all 61 national parks.

Central Region Representative
Olsson
601 P Street, Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508
Tel: (402) 641-4468
Email: dhofer@olsson.com

For over a decade, Daphne Fuller served as the chief airports and environmental lawyer for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). She assumed this role at the outset of congressional and presidential initiatives to streamline federal environmental reviews. Due in part to her stewardship, FAA approved a host of major airport and air traffic projects and in the process sustained an excellent litigation record. Daphne was highly influential in shaping significant new grant enforcement, aviation fuel tax, noise abatement, and community outreach policies. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice recognized Daphne with the Muskee-Chafee Environmental Award for advancing environmental protection. She and her team also garnered five Secretary of Transportation team excellence awards and two John Marshall Awards for Inter-agency Cooperation. As Executive Counsel, Daphne currently provides strategic guidance on departmental and agency challenges such as spectrum reallocation. In addition, she fosters key research as FAA’s liaison to the ACRP Legal Panel.

Daphne graduated from Howard University School of Law and magna cum laude from Princeton University. She is a member of the New York and DC bars.

Eastern Region Representative
US Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration
600 Independence Avenue, SW, Suite 2W41BS
Washington, DC 20774
Tel: (202) 267-3195
Email: daphne.fuller@faa.gov

Andrew Ndolo’s interest and experience in aviation began in his childhood and, in 2005, he went on to become a certified Multi-Engine & Instrument Rated FAA Licensed Commercial Pilot. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and a master’s in Business Administration in Aviation, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Andrew’s areas of expertise include airports and spaceports master planning, airspace analysis, airfield planning, terminal planning, aviation noise impact analysis, environmental planning. Andrew is currently serving as an ACRP Panel Member on ACRP Project 03-51, “Electric Aircraft on the Horizon – An Airport Planning Perspective” and ACRP Project 02-86, “Understanding Impacts to Airports from Temporary Flight Restrictions.” Andrew is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and is currently employed as an Airport Planner for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and previously worked for AECOM as an Airport Planner for six years.

Eastern Region Representative
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
1 Aviation Cir
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: (703) 572-0265
Email: Andrew.Ndolo@MWAA.com

Chelsea is a graduate of The United States Military Academy at West Point and founder of Critical Ops, a leader in risk management. Chelsea’s extensive involvement with TRB includes work with all modalities as she specializes in the implementation and dissemination of best practices through interactive programs, experts, and tools. She strategically incorporates abilities to assess trust and minimize the effects of risk on an organization’s capital and earnings. Evidence-based results include enhanced communication, multi-generational engagement, and quantitative assessments. These personal and business experiences have led to an NCRHP research award, extensive involvement with the Transportation Emergency Response Application (TERA), and IdeaHub beta testing. Chelsea has also served on three ACRP panels and was responsible for the creation and facilitation of the Transportation Systems Resilience Exercise during the January 2019 TRB Annual Meeting. She contributes a holistic perspective to ACRP endeavors and is honored to serve as an Ambassador.

Great Lakes Representative
Critical Ops
27300 Center Ridge Road, Box #450862
Westlake, OH 44145
Tel: (443) 404-1879
Email: chelsea@criticalops.com

Gary Schmidt retired at the end of July in 2019 after working in the aviation industry for over 44 years. His final position was Director of Reliever Airports for the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) in Minneapolis, where he oversaw the operation of MAC’s six reliever airports. Those airports have an estimated economic impact of $756 million annually. As Director, he also served as the primary liaison to the 16 communities surrounding the reliever system. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He is a past Chairman of the Minnesota Council of Airports, and he is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives. He is also a recipient of the National Air Transportation’s “Airport Executive Partnership Award.” Gary has previously served on several ACRP panels and looks forward to serving as an ambassador.

Great Lakes Representative
Metropolitan Airports Commission
6040 S 28th Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55450
Tel: (952) 607- 9211
Email: 5smorg4@gmail.com

Amber Leathers currently serves as the senior planner for Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina. In this role, she leads a team that helps develop and manage the airport’s Capital Improvement Program. Amber began her professional career at CLT in airside operations in 2012 and later transitioned into planning in 2016. She is involved with the Passenger Facility Charge program, environmental programs, grant administration, and master planning.

Amber’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace administration from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Science degree in project management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She has achieved the designations of Accredited Airport Executive and Airport Certified Employee with AAAE, the Green Belt certification with Lean Six Sigma, and recently completed the ACRP Champion program in January 2019.

Southern Region Representative
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
5601 Wilkinson Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28208
Tel: (704) 560-1820
Email: alleathers@cltairport.com

Matt Dowell is the Deputy Director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi. He received both his Bachelor of Commercial Aviation and Master of Commercial Aviation from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He is an Accredited Airport Executive with AAAE and has over seven years of airport management experience. Matt is also a FAA licensed Flight Instructor and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle pilot.

Southern Region Representative
Golden Triangle Regional Airport
2080 Airport Rd
Columbus, MS 39701
Tel: (601) 529-4481
Email: mdowell@gtra.com

Gaël Le Bris, CM, PE is a senior aviation planner and a technical principal with WSP USA. His experience includes complex airport planning and engineering projects in the United States and abroad. Prior to joining WSP, he was the airside development manager at Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport, France. Gaël serves on various committees and workgroups of organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and The French-Speaking Airports (UAF&FA). He is the chair of the Airport Think Tank of ENAC Alumni. He has authored several technical articles and publications. Gaël has been chosen by Airport Business magazine as one of the 2018 Top 40 Under 40 winners, and by ENR Magazine as a Southeast’s 2020 Top Young Professional.

Southern Region Representative
WSP USA
434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1500
Raleigh, NC 27601
Tel: (407) 818-6879
Email: gael.lebris@@wsp.com

John Walewski has more than 30 years of experience in industry, government, consulting, and university teaching and research related to aviation, engineering and construction. John is an Associate Professor of Practice in civil engineering at Texas A&M University. He has served on numerous TRB panels and projects, and as a program officer at the National Research Council. John worked for the Center for Ecological Management of Military Lands at Colorado State University and assisted with the management of U.S. Air Force noise, NEPA, and environmental resource programs.

John is a member of the City of Austin Airport Advisory Commission, and the Real Property Advisory Committee for the Texas Military Department. He earned a Bachelor of Science in building construction from Michigan State, a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Southwest Region Representative
Texas A&M University
3136 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843
Tel: (979) 862-5674
Email: jwalewski@civil.tamu.edu

Rohini Kumarage is a project manager for the City of Austin Department of Aviation–AUS. She first joined the city’s Public Works Department in 2004 after working in the private sector as a design engineer. While at the Public Works Department, she was involved in design and construction of large infrastructure projects that support the Capital Improvement program.

In 2012, she transferred to the Department of Aviation to serve as an Aviation Project Manager and managed aviation projects for the Airport Master Plan and AIP. She has taken many leadership roles at the airport to identify infrastructure improvement needs and managed these aviation projects from conception to completion by means of multiple project delivery methods. She presently manages the $16-94 million Centralized Baggage Handling Improvement Project to support the growth of the airport and upgrade the system with current technology and meet TSA requirements. She also works with project coordinators to manage over 20 concessionaires in the newly opened nine gate expansion at the airport’s Barbara Jordan Terminal.

Rohini used ACRP reports in her work, promotes ACRP research to fellow aviation practitioners, and has served on numerous ACRP panels since 2016. During a restroom renovation project in the Barbara Jordan Terminal, she used ACRP Report 130 Guidebook for Airport Terminal Rest Room Planning and Design as a resource with the results published in an ACRP Impacts and Practice in 2016. She is currently a panel member for ACRP 07-16 Ancillary Airport Terminal Restroom Spaces Planning and Design and serves as the chair of the ACRP 03-53 Bag Handling System Total Cost of Ownership project panel.

Rohini received Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Texas, Austin, and has earned Project Management Professional (PMP) and LEED Green Associate professional certifications. She is also a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and the Project Management Institute.

Southwest Region Representative
City of Austin
3600 Presidential Blvd.
Ste. 441
Austin, TX 78719
Tel: (512) 789-2289
Email: Rohini.Kumarage@austintexas.gov

Yvonne Chenevert began her aviation career in 1977 when she took the position of Administrative Assistant to the Airport Director at the False River Regional Airport. In 1993, she was named Airport Director with responsibility for airport operations, grants procurement and oversight, fuel operations, and property management. She has surpassed her goals for growth and expansion in her initial twenty-year plan and has now embarked on her second twenty-year plan. She coordinated efforts with the airport’s Commission, City and Parish owning bodies, FAA, and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) to successfully secure grant funding for projects addressing the airports’ needs. Her dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence in aviation has garnered her recognition from the FAA, LaDOTD, and the Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates (LAMA) among others. Yvonne serves as Treasurer for LAMA and is a long-standing member of the Southeast Champion of AAAE and AOPA. In addition to her aviation career, she is a community activist and small business owner.

Southwest Region Representative
False River Regional Airport
8662 Airport Spur, P.O. Box 97
New Roads, LA 70760
Tel: (225) 638-3192

Email: frapla30@bellsouth.net

Adam Cohen is a mobility futures thought leader and researcher at the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Since joining the group in 2004, his research has focused on innovative urban mobility solutions, including urban air mobility, electrification, automation, smart cities, smartphone apps, shared mobility, and other emerging technologies. Adam served three combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a rated aviator for the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component. He recently completed an exploratory study of the opportunities and challenges of Urban Air Mobility using electric vertical take-off and land (eVTOL) aircraft for NASA. He has also co-authored numerous articles and reports on innovative mobility in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Adam’s multi-disciplinary background gives him unique insight into both landside and airside aviation issues, including the potential impacts of innovative and disruptive technologies. Previously, he worked for the Information Technology and Telecommunications Laboratory at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. His academic background is in city and regional planning and international affairs.

Western-Pacific Region Representative
University of California, Berkeley
5301 Office Park Drive, Suite 410
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Tel: (661) 912-2986
Email: apcohen@berkeley.edu

Erin currently serves as San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) first Sustainability Director, Zero Energy and Resilient Outcomes (ZERO) Committee Chair and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Working Group Chair where she implements the Airport’s Strategic, Sustainability and Climate Action Plans, including annual reporting, by brokering and implementing high-impact emissions reduction investments across campus-wide and facility-specific projects. Erin previously served the City of Cupertino as its first Sustainability Manager and, next, Assistant to the City Manager, drafting and activating the City’s first Climate Action Plan, including lead roles in the launch of a countywide community choice aggregation program (Silicon Valley Clean Energy), Silicon Valley Collaborative Energy Procurement (SV-REP) and Silicon Valley’s Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. Erin was also a member of stewardship and climate planning teams at the Conservation Law Foundation, Goddard Institute of Space Studies, and National Park Service.

Erin is a LEED AP and holds a Master of Public Administration in environmental science and policy from Columbia University.

Western-Pacific Region Representative
San Francisco International Airport
P.O. Box 8097
San Francisco, CA 94123
Tel: (650) 821-5065
Email: erin.cooke@flysfo.com