44th Texas Aviation Conference
Access conference programs and presentation materials for the 44th Texas Aviation Conference.
Conference Program and Presentations
The 44th Annual Texas Aviation Conference took place from March 31 to April 3, 2026, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas-Frisco Hotel & Convention Center in Frisco, Texas.
| Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Texas Airports Council Annual Golf Tournament |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | TxDOT RAMP Coordinators Site Visit |
| 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Registration/Check-In |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Adopt an Airport Program Overview New Participant Orientation Presenter: Gretchen Wighaman-Webb Facilitator: Becky Vick, TxDOT, Aviation Division If you are attending for the first time, traveling solo, or want the chance to meet other attendees before the Get Acquainted Reception begins, we urge you to attend the New Participant Orientation. Attending a conference for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. This orientation will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet friendly faces before the conference begins. This is an informal event on Tuesday evening, before the opening reception in the exhibit hall. |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Exhibits Open |
| 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Get Acquainted Networking Reception |
| Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | |
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Opening Session Presentation of Colors Frisco Fire Department National Anthem Sabrina Frost Welcoming Comments State Senator Brent Hagenbuch, Senate District 30 State Representative Matt Shaheen, House District 66 Introduction of Aviation Advisory Committee Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT Aviation Division Justine Ruff, Chair, Aviation Advisory Committee State of the Aviation Division Address Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT, Aviation Division |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | State Legislative Update Moderator: Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT, Aviation Division State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez, House District 39 |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Keynote Speaker Caroline Mays, Senior Director of Planning and Modal Programs, TxDOT (Mayspresentation slides, 3 MB) |
| 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION I I: Aviation Education Preparing the workforce of tomorrow is critical to the continued success of the aviation industry. Our panel of experts will share insights into various aviation educational and outreach programs as well as initiatives designed to cultivate interest and talent in aviation and aerospace. This session will highlight efforts for K-12 students to encourage interest in STEM and aviation. Moderator: Dana Donati, CEO, Breaking Barriers Steve Poston, Southwest Region STEM/Aviation and Space Education Program Lead, Federal Aviation Administration Nicole Johnson, Aviation Planner, North Central Texas Council of Governments Miller Scanlan, AMT Instructor, Crowley Independent School District Michelle McConnell, Business Development Manager – Maintenance Academy, US Aviation Academy Christopher Coley, Corporate Director of Student Affairs, US Aviation Academy Marvin Diaz, Director – Aviation Program, The University of Texas at Arlington II: Environmental Requirements Overview Gain a clear understanding of key environmental requirements for airport planning and operations. This session provides a practical overview of federal and state compliance obligations, including NEPA reviews, permitting, noise, air quality, and wildlife considerations. Learn when an environmental review is required and who to contact as well as how to navigate the process to meet the needs of your airport. Sana Drissi, Environmental Project Planner, TxDOT Aviation Division (Drissipresentation slides, 2 MB) III: Compliance This session will summarize the importance of the airport compliance program and airport grant assurances. It will allow airport stakeholders to speak about current or past experience, gain clarification, and engage with the FAA and TxDOT Aviation staff on questions related to airport compliance. Gary J. Loftus, A.A.E., Lead Airports Compliance Program Manager, Airport Certification Safety Inspector, FAA Southwest Region Michael Van Vliet, Director, Planning and Programming, TxDOT Aviation Division (LoftusandVanVlietpresentation slides, 537 KB) |
| 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Break |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION II I: Airfield Inspection Techniques and Practices Learn effective airfield inspection techniques to ensure safe, compliant airport operations. This session covers inspection best practices, common deficiencies, documentation requirements, and coordination with maintenance and operations staff. Gain practical tips to identify hazards, meet regulatory standards, and enhance airfield safety through consistent, thorough inspections. Dakota Shaw, Aviation Planner, TxDOT Aviation Division Konner Young, Airport Operations Manager, Meacham International Airport Clinton Tuggle, C.M., Airport Manager, Cleburne Regional Airport (AirfieldInspectionpresentation slides, 5 MB) II: Promoting Your Airport: Branding and Marketing for Small Airports Discover practical branding and marketing strategies tailored for small airports. This session explores how to define your airport’s identity, strengthen community engagement, leverage digital tools, and communicate your unique value. Learn actionable tactics to elevate visibility, attract partners, and build a compelling, sustainable brand presence. Lori Walderich, IdeaStudio Branding & Marketing (Walderichpresentation slides, 12 MB) III: Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) TxDOT’s Aviation Division oversees the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP), a cost‑share program that offers grants to eligible Texas airports, for maintenance of qualified airside and landside airport asset/infrastructure needs. This session will provide more information on the RAMP program, including funding and eligibility requirements. Michelle Burcham, Director, Grants and Administration, TxDOT Aviation Division (Burchampresentation slides, 1 MB) |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Texas Airports Council Annual Meeting and Elections |
| Thursday, April 2, 2026 | |
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast Buffet |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Airport 101 Guidebook Overview Michael Van Vliet, Director, Planning and Programming, TxDOT Aviation Division (VanVlietpresentation slides, 379 KB) |
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study Update Daniel Benson, Aviation Planner, TxDOT Aviation Division Jeff Borowiec, Aviation Program Director, Woolpert Greg Sanders, Senior Planner & Project Manager, Woolpert (EconomicImpactpresentation slides, 5 MB) |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Capital Improvement Program Overview Sean Newton, Aviation Planner, TxDOT Aviation Division (Newtonpresentation slides, 245 KB) |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION III I: Advancing/Emerging Technologies I: Advanced Air Mobility in Texas With recent developments at the federal level, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is moving toward reality. This session will explore how Texas is preparing for the future with AAM at both the state and local levels. Panelists will discuss statewide and regional planning efforts, landside access needs, and how airports can prepare for AAM. Sergio Roman, Director, Emerging Aviation Technology, TxDOT Aviation Division Ernest Huffman, Aviation Planning and Education Program Manager, North Central Texas Council of Governments Ghassan “Gus” Khankarli, Ph.D., P.E., Director, Transportation and Public Works Department, City of Dallas Mitchell Davies, Director of Aviation, Sugar Land Regional Airport (AdvancedAirMobilitypresentation slides, 2 MB) II: Airspace Protection and Procedure Development (Obstruction Surveys) This session focuses on safeguarding navigable airspace through accurate obstruction identification, data collection, and analysis. The session covers survey methods, new tools to support analysis, and procedure design to support safe instrument and visual flight operations while enabling compatible land use development around airports Daniel Benson, Aviation Planner, TxDOT Aviation Division Derek Mayo, Garver Tony Lombardi, Airport Manager, Gillespie County Airport (BensonMayoLombardipresentation slides, 6 MB) III: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Federal Funding Overview This session provides a high‑level overview of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the federal funding programs available to support airport and pavement maintenance projects. Participants will hear from the FAA on accessing the remaining funding and have an opportunity to ask questions on IIJA programs as well as federal funding for airports more broadly. Moderator: Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT Aviation Division Jesse Carriger, Manager, Infrastructure Branch, Planning and Programming, Office of Airports, Federal Aviation Administration |
| 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Plated Luncheon Art Contest Awards sponsored by National Business Aviation Association (ArtContestAwardspresentation slides, 8 MB) Texas Aviation Awards Program sponsored by the Texas Airports Council National/Regional Airport of the Year Local/Basic/Unclassified Airport of the Year State Airport of the Year Airport Professional of the Year Airport Project of the Year Aviation Educator of the Year (K-12) RAMP Coordinator of the Year |
| 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | BREAKOUT SESSION IV I: Advancing/Emerging Technologies II: Digitization of Airports for Planning and Maintenance Digitization of Airports explores how new tools can transform airport asset management. The session will highlight the experience with digitizing one Texas airport; lessons learned, benefits, and challenges. Moderators: Sergio Roman, Director, Emerging Aviation Technology, TxDOT Aviation Division & William Graffis, Emerging Aviation Technology Coordinator, TxDOT Aviation Division Daniel Benson, Aviation Planner, TxDOT Aviation Division Bret Gardner, Enterprise Sales- North America, gNEXT Tony Lombardi, Airport Manager, Gillespie County Airport (AdvancingEmergingTechpresentation slides, 3 MB) II: Importance of AWOS This session examines how Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) provide timely, accurate aviation weather data. The session discusses system components, siting, maintenance, and data dissemination, and explains how AWOS supports flight safety, operational decision-making, regulatory compliance, and continuity of operations at towered and non-towered airports during all weather conditions nationwide. In addition, we’ll talk about how the weather observations that they produce actually improve and validate weather forecasts and serve as an economic growth engine for your community! Bring your AWOS and weather questions and Troy and Victor will try to answer them for you! Troy Kimmel AMS CBM, Owner/Meteorologist, KimCo Meteorological Services Victor Murphy, Meteorologist, KimCo Meteorological Services (KimmelMurphypresentation slides, 2 MB) II: Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP) Missed the first RAMP breakout session? Here’s your second chance to learn all about the Routine Airport Maintenance Program. TxDOT’s Aviation Division oversees the Routine Airport Maintenance Program (RAMP), a cost‑share program that offers grants to eligible Texas airports, for maintenance of qualified airside and landside airport asset/infrastructure needs. This session will provide more information on the RAMP program, including funding and eligibility requirements. Michelle Burcham, Director, Grants and Administration, TxDOT Aviation Division (Burchampresentation slides, 1 MB) |
| 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Break |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Sponsor/Agent Process Michael Van Vliet, Director, Planning and Programming, TxDOT Aviation Division Sean Newton, Aviation Planner, TxDOT Aviation Division (SponsorAgentProcesspresentation slides, 1 MB) |
| Friday, April 3, 2026 | |
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Airport Manager Roundtable Got questions? We have answers! This session provides attendees with an open forum to ask questions and engage a panel of experienced airport managers. No formal presentations will be made during the session, but the panel members will share their experiences and thoughts on questions and issues brought up by the moderator and those attending this session. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions about any issues and concerns at their airports. This forum is designed to provide an exchange of information and ideas among airport professionals. Moderator: Sharlette Wright, Airport Manager, Mid-Way Regional Airport Gary Lee Davis, Director of Airports, San Patricio County Ty Helton, Airport General Aviation Manager, Greenville Texas Municipal Airport |
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | FAA Update and TxDOT/FAA Listening Session Doug Lane, Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration Ignacio Flores, Director, Office of Airports, Southwest Region, Federal Aviation Administration Rodney Clark, Manager, Texas Airports District Office, Federal Aviation Administration Dan Harmon, Director, TxDOT Aviation Division |