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Speakers
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Grayson Ardies
The Commission is a state agency in charge of promoting aviation and aerospace across the state, including the 108 public airports that comprise Oklahoma’s air transportation system. Ardies’ emphasis is on promoting the aerospace industry, the state’s second largest industry; planning and development of the state’s air transportation system; and encouraging public-private partnerships to enhance the aerospace industry and support workforce development. Director Ardies graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Aviation Management with minors in Business Administration and Air Traffic Control. As part of his education through the aviation program, he also received a commercial pilot’s license with single and multi-engine instrument ratings and is a certified flight instructor.
Toby Baker, P.E.
Toby Baker, PE, is an Associate and Aviation Team Leader. Toby received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He has not only worked on over 165 projects at 41 different airports throughout the state of Oklahoma but is also an active pilot. He holds a commercial pilot certificate for single and multi-engine aircraft and also flies as a copilot in several Cessna Citation jets. Having flown into many airports throughout Oklahoma, he can give a rare perspective to an aviation project by being a pilot and an engineer. Toby is very familiar with FAA and OAC’s design and construction standards, grant administration procedures, and required reporting. To date, Mr. Baker has worked on over 165 projects at 41 different airports throughout the state of Oklahoma.
GLEnn Boles
Glenn is the manager of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Arkansas/Oklahoma Airport District Office. He is responsible for overseeing and directing implementation of multiple Federal grant programs to include the Airport Improvement Program, Covid Relief programs, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program and Passenger Facility Charge program. Oversight and implementation of these programs demand constant coordination between his team, local officials and their consultants.
The annual AIP investment in Oklahoma is approximately $50 million dollars. Starting in 2022, BIL allocations for Oklahoma total approximately $27 million dollars. Federal grants provide resources to Airport Sponsors so they can improve safety, meet FAA design standards, preserve existing infrastructure and meet new operational needs.
Glenn has been with the FAA for nearly 30 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Kansas and is a diehard Jayhawk! Glenn and his wife just celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary. They have two children. Their son is a junior at the University of Arkansas and their daughter is in a sophomore in high school. Away from the office, Glenn enjoys taking on house projects or simply hanging out in the garage working on a hot rod.
Keston Cook
Keston Cook is the Airport Director for the Enid Woodring Regional Airport in Enid, OK. Previously he worked at the Appleton International Airport before moving back to Oklahoma to serve as the Airport Operations Manager for Woodring Airport. He served as Operations Manager for three years before being named the Interim Airport Director in October 2020. He was officially named the Airport Director in March 2021.Keston is active in many other roles in the aviation industry. He currently sits on the executive committee for the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association (OAOA) as the Vice President. He is also a sitting member of the Emerging Aviation Technology Sub-Committee under the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation’s Advanced Mobility Council. With a strong passion for furthering aviation he also serves as an advisory member to the Enid Aviation Workforce Grant Committee. Keston obtained his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Administration and Operations with a focus on both Aviation Management and Aerospace Security from Oklahoma State University.
Brittany Cotton
Brittany is a Project Coordinator in Parkhill's Aviation Sector of OKC and an inaugural member of Parkhill's first ever DEI Council. She is passionate about human rights, equal opportunities for minorities and women, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Brittany and her boyfriend live in Crescent, Oklahoma and are raising two boys together. She attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond OK, and graduated in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science-Organizational Leadership.
David Day
David serves as the Pryor High School Innovation Center Director, which houses the applied engineering, robotics, CAD, computer science, EMT, Esports and aviation programs. Previous to his current role David was a basketball coach for 24 years and taught Physical Science. He has been instrumental in providing innovative programs that align with local industry and enhance student employment opportunities.
David holds a B.S. in Secondary Education from Oklahoma State University and a M.S. from East Central University in Educational Leadership.
Kelly Fincannon, P.E.
Kelly Fincannon began working for the Aeronautics Commission in September of 2021 as the agency’s Chief Airport Engineer. His focus is on airport planning, design, construction, and project management with a mission to provide continued development and improvement of the Oklahoma Airport System, working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, airports, consultants, and construction contractors.
His 38 years of related work experience includes office management, staff management, regional financial oversight, business development, client negotiation, project management, engineering design, bidding services, construction administration, construction observation, grant administration, master planning, and capital improvement plans. His airport experience spans civil, military, commercial, and general aviation airports as well as other civil infrastructure projects including highways, streets, drainage, water lines, sewer lines, and water resources projects. He holds professional registrations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Kelly earned an MS and BS in Civil Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association.
Alexis Higgins, A.A.E.
Ms. Higgins has been with the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust for over 20 years, and was named Chief Executive Officer in March 2019 after serving previously as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Director of Marketing & Community Relations. As Chief Executive Officer, she develops organizational policy, administers all activities associated with the operation of Tulsa International Airport and Tulsa Riverside Airport, and sets the organization’s annual and strategic business plans. She graduated cum laude from the University of Tulsa Business School, where she was named Outstanding Marketing Graduate, with a degree in Marketing and double minors in Management and Russian Language. She achieved the professional designation of Accredited Airport Executive from the American Association of Airport Executives in June 2010. In addition to her work at the airport, she serves on the advisory boards of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Tulsa Community College’s aviation program. She also actively supports Challenge Air for Kids and serves on their Tulsa Fly Day event committee.
C. Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan
Kinsley “TRIGGER” Jordan is the Founder & CEO of The Winning Network: an expansive team of premier experts, strategist, coaches, and mentors, all united with one focus: connecting People to their Purpose through their Passion. The Winning Network firmly believes that if you know your value, you know your power; when you know your power, you can make your impact.
Kinsley has not only grown and taught this “Value Branding” expertise throughout Silicon Valley Venture Capital clientele, but throughout the Startup and Entrepreneurial communities both nationally and internationally. His commitment to the service of helping others didn’t begin in the commercial sector however. From the age of 5 yrs old, Kinsley desired nothing more than to become a military pilot. Through many challenges and failures, he earned his way to exactly that dream, and for the last 15 years, Kinsley “TRIGGER” Jordan has served his country in the United States Air Force, as an Intelligence/Surveillance/Reconnaissance Combat Pilot, and as an Air Force Primary Flight Training Instructor in the mighty T-6 Texan II.
Most recently, TRIGGER Jordan took the culmination of these recent experiences in Aviation, Innovation, and Emerging Air Mobility and launched what has been called, “The Future of Flight Training”: SPARK Aviation. SPARK Aviation utilizes it’s proprietary and personalized TRI-PEAK Training Methodology to symbiotically blend cutting edge Technology, Fluid Competence Mastery Training and Personal Peak Performance Iteration to produce aviation Premier Peak Performance Pilots, capable of operating in any diverse and fluid changing environment, anywhere in the world. Spark Aviation trains from Recreational Pilot all the way through Commercial Pilot and beginning fall of 2023, will be training to ATP as well.
Whether leading as the Founder of The Winning Network, speaking as an Exec. Innovation Strategist, teaching as an Instructor at Spark Aviation, loving people as a Husband, Father and Pastor, Kinsley Jordan has been a spoken champion of his ideals throughout the Legacy Podcast, Winning in the Morning Show, and the DisruptiveAF Podcast. Holding a Bachelors of Business Strategy and Marketing from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and finishing a Masters of Business Leadership from Regent University, this 2019 AETC Gen. Larry O. Spencer Innovation Award winner and 19th Air Force Field Grade Office of the Year brings his infectious excitement and experience to every opportunity he has to Learn, Love, Lead or Speak.
Lisa Jewett
Lisa M. Jewett has served as the airport manager at Grove Regional Airport in Grove, Oklahoma since 2009. She has led the airport through significant growth and development in the last thirteen years. In addition to a new, five thousand (5,000) square foot terminal building, she has been responsible for overseeing the development of the west side of the airport where new taxilanes and hangars have been constructed.
She is responsible for the financial planning, implementing and coordinating the day-to-day operations of the airport in accordance with the goals of the Grove Municipal Airport Managing Authority.
Lisa has served as a past president of Oklahoma Airport Operator’s Association as well as a board director. She has also served in city government for over 20 years, including Mayor and Police Commissioner of her town in Fairland, Oklahoma.
Lisa’s goals are to work in helping further community relationships with the aviation community, moving the airport on to the next level of excellence together.
Paula KEdy, M.A. ED
Paula Kedy serves as the Aerospace and Aviation Education Coordinator for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. A life-long educator, Kedy now works to promote aviation education across Oklahoma by sharing the importance of the AOPA “You Can Fly” High School Aviation Curriculum. The Commission was recently awarded the “Most Innovative State Program Award” at the 2022 National Association of State Aviation Officials Conference for its work in implementing aviation education in over 50 Oklahoma high schools.
Kedy serves on the national AOPA High School Steering Committee and has been named to the advisory committees of Sooner Flight Academy, Southeastern University school of Aviation Science, and the Spartan College of Aeronautics Avionics. She has helped to develop five Oklahoma Aviation High Schools of Excellence through the implementation of an FAA 625 Workforce Development Grant and is committed to helping ensure equitable aviation STEM opportunities for Oklahoma students.
Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe is the Regional Administrator for FAA’s Southwest Region, including the states of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Rob is the FAA Administrator’s principal representative for this region and its 4,900 employees. As Regional Administrator, he provides corporate leadership and represents the FAA before industry, government organizations, and civic and private interest groups. He directs delivery of corporate services in the region including command and communication operations, building and facility services, executive services, and cross-organizational project integration.
Rob serves as the Department of Transportation (DOT) Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator (RETCO) supporting FEMA Region VI. As the DOT executive lead for Transportation Emergency Support Function (ESF-1) across a large multi- state area, he leads DOT emergency transportation programs across all DOT modes while ensuring development, training and deployment of emergency preparedness/response plans. As the RETCO, Rob is the executive point of contact and linkage to transportation stakeholders, local, state and federal agencies and elected officials.
Rob Lowe has more than 37 years of FAA experience and has held numerous leadership positions across multiple service units within the agency. The majority of his public service career has been in the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) in roles that include the Central Service Area Director of Operations for Air Traffic Services South, Terminal Operations, Technical Operations and System Operations. Known for his systemic operational expertise and customer relations, Rob also has spent a number of years in the Washington DC area working in FAA HQ and the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC). He has also led large service delivery point facilities such as Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), and all the Air Traffic Control Towers and TRACONs in Northern Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana. Extensive experience in Crisis Response and Emergency Operations is another trademark of Rob Lowe’s federal service playing crucial leadership roles in response to events such as September 11, 2001, Hurricanes, wild fires and floods. He served as the senior Department of Transportation representative (S-1) in New Orleans, Louisiana, immediately after Hurricane Katrina leading the evacuation, response and initial restoration for which he was recognized with the Department of Transportation’s highest award (Gold Medal) for his actions.
Born in Albuquerque, NM, Rob is also an accomplished Airshow and Sports Public Address Announcer. He is often heard across Texas and around the country announcing on TV coverage including the Reno Air Races, numerous Airshows as well as High School, NCAA, and Professional sporting events.
Mike "Wizzard" Mccabe
Mike McCabe oversaw some of the deepest technological shifts and changes at the U.S. Navy. He ensured thousands of military personnel would be ready for these transformations and managed the budgets that supported these key innovations and changes. Mike was largely responsible for the current generation of naval aviation technology, aircraft and aircraft carriers. His career was driven by one motivation: building exceptional teams while sustaining a culture of excellence in changing environments.
He draws inspiration from his father, a World War II Navy pilot and early jet pilot, who was killed deploying to the Korean War. Eighteen months after graduating college, Mike was flying combat missions under the mentorship of one of the original Top Gun Instructors. He became the Executive Officer of Top Gun himself, and the two combined again to consult for the movie “Top Gun”.
Mike commanded at every operational level of the Navy, including the Commander of the US 3rd Fleet. In these commands, he was able to achieve excellence, while suffering no operational loss of life. His combat decorations include the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross. Mike also served as the Director of Air Warfare for the Navy with oversight of all naval aviation requirements and budget, in which capacity he was in the Pentagon when the terrorist attack struck the building directly below his office.
Following Navy retirement, he became the CEO/President of a large Commercial Charter Airline. He grew the airline into a multi-hundreds of million-dollar business. He left the airline and retired a second time to battle cancer. Having survived air combat, the 9/11 attacks, and cancer, Mike embodies the spirit of gratitude and lives in a “pay it forward mode” bringing his storied experience and passion to helping teams and leaders.
Angelique Mulford
Angelique is a Project Coordinator in Parkhill's Community Sector and the Co-Chair of Parkhill's DEI Council. She is passionate about mental health, spreading cultural awareness, and advancing equal opportunity for all. Angelique and her husband live in Dallas, TX and have two dogs, Kenobi and Binks. She attended the University of North Texas and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Rhetoric & Writing.
Paul Myers
Paul Myers joined the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust (TAIT) in April 2022 and serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Mr. Myers is responsible for leading the daily operations of TAIT, including airport operations, customer experience, human resources, and information technology for Tulsa International Airport and Tulsa Riverside Airport.
Daniel Plaisance
Daniel leads the Advanced Air Mobility portfolio at Tulsa Innovation Labs (TIL), a philanthropic economic development organization based in Tulsa, OK. In this role, Daniel oversees program development and strategic investments in research & development, testing infrastructure, and workforce development initiatives that build upon the Tulsa region’s competitive advantage in aerospace and AAM.
Recently, Daniel spearheaded the development of three projects for TIL as part of the Tulsa Region’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge application, which was selected by the US Economic Development Administration as one of 21 winning applications from 529 initial applicants, resulting in ~$70M in funding to develop a world-class advanced mobility ecosystem in Tulsa.
Prior to joining Tulsa Innovation Labs, Daniel has worked on innovative economic and workforce development initiatives for the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the City of Providence, Rhode Island.
Daniel holds bachelor's degrees in Economics and Urban Studies from Brown University.
Paul Priegel, AAE
Paul is currently a Aviation Project Manager for HW Lochner in the OKC Office. Paul spent many years as the Airport Director at Stillwater Regional Airport and as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University teaching in areas of aviation security, aircraft accident investigations and airport management. Paul is an Accredited Airport Executive through AAAE and serves in several organizational leadership positions. Paul served as the 2021-2022 OAOA President and is the current conference chair.
Austin Wheeler, C.M., A.C.E., O.C.A.P.
Mr. Wheeler joined TAIT in August 2015 as an airfield operations officer. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Administration and Operations. He has received the designation of certified member as well as airport certified employee in operations through the American Association of Airport Executives. He was in the inaugural class of OAOA’s Oklahoma Certified Airport Professionals. He has completed FEMA emergency training in ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-700, ICS-800. In June 2019, Mr. Wheeler was promoted to Airport Manager at Tulsa Riverside Airport, the reliever airport to Tulsa International. Mr. Wheeler enjoys overseeing the day to day operations at the busiest airport in the state of Oklahoma.
Leah Whitfield
Leah Whitfield is the majority owner, President and Senior Aviation Planner of The Aviation Planning Group. She co-founded APG in January of 2020 after serving as the Aviation Practice Lead for a civil engineering firm. Prior to becoming a consulting Leah worked as Airport Manager of the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport and Projects and Programs Manager of the Casper/Natrona County International Airport. Leah holds two degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is a Certified Member of AAAE, and an ACE in Operations. Leah currently serves as the Chair of the Committee on Aviation System Planning (AV020) for the Transportation Research Board. Her work as a consultant has spanned coast to coast on projects such as master plans, siting studies, aviation system plans, airfield design projects, sustainability plans, and most recently in Advanced Air Mobility.
DOUg Wood
Doug joined the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission staff in January of 2022 and brings 26 years of law enforcement experience, with 17 years as a first line supervisor responsible for training, supervisory, management and administrative tasks, including project development and leadership for the small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Program at the Riley County (KS) Police Department. He served 23 years in the U. S. Navy (Reserve) retiring as a First Class Master-at-Arms. His career included increasing levels of responsibility for training, supervisory, administrative, mentoring, and technical expertise as a first-line supervisor and Leading Petty Officer primarily in the area of Firearms Training and Anti-Terrorism / Force Protection Physical Security Procedures.
Doug works directly with users of UAS in the state, FAA, and other state/local government agencies and administers the Commission’s UAS program. He also conducts research related to other states’ rules and regulations for UAS and the new Advanced Air Mobility initiatives, determining how Oklahoma can best position itself within the industry. He is the primary contact point to develop/update a UAS and AAM strategic plan for the state and provides recommendations to other state agencies or local governments on UAS operations, regulations, and policies.
Doug holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Central Christian College, McPherson, Kansas.
