Author: Metropolitan Airport News
Metropolitan Airport News
Produced by a team of aviation professionals and enthusiasts, our mission is to inform and update the more than 68,000 employees who work on the metropolitan New York airport properties, as well as the many others that provide goods and services in the surrounding communities.
Jennifer Baxmeyer is a dynamic and accomplished museum executive passionate about cultural education, community engagement, and organizational leadership. With over a decade of experience in the museum sector, Jennifer has a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, fostering inclusive environments, and building impactful educational programs. Jennifer has held various leadership roles throughout her career, including Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Director of Education at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY. In these positions, she has successfully managed all aspects of museum operations, including budgeting, staff management, and strategic planning. Jennifer’s collaborative approach and innovative thinking have…
Alyssa Burke joined the ARK at JFK team in January 2019 to expand her knowledge and expertise in the aviation industry. Alyssa is responsible for daily operations, including oversight of the daily equine import and export operations, coordination of all ground movements, management of the human resource department, and building security. Alyssa comes to The ARK with several years of Human Resource experience from one of JFK’s largest ground-handling companies. She specializes in billing, payroll, employer-employee relations, labor law compliance, employee training and development. Alyssa has a passion for helping others and emphasizes team building. Alyssa always looks for new…
Denise Erickson is the Vice President of the Airport Division at Duty Free Americas (DFA) North America. She oversees Miami International Airport, Terminal 7 at JFK International Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Denise is responsible for the day-to-day Duty Free operations of four airports and 40 stores to include: airport relationships, business development, staffing, marketing, customer service, brand assortment and distribution. She works with local agencies to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations pertaining to DFA business. Denise has been in the travel retail industry for 28 years. While attending the Fashion Institute…
Mayra Fazio is the General Manager of Facilities and IT for Delta Air Lines Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport. She manages the network used to support the organization’s critical systems and customer phasing systems, the terminal’s security and surveillance system, creates departmental processes and procedures, and works closely in coordination with the Port Authority, the TSA, and other stakeholders in the security system. Ms. Fazio previously served as the Systems Support Project Manager at JFK International Airport Terminal (JFKIAT); Special, Technical Senior Project Manager at NACO – Aruba Airport Authority; Program manager for Oxford Airport Technical Services, and has over…
Teresa Ferraro is the President & CEO of East/West Industries, an SBA-certified Woman-Owned Small Business/Women’s Business Enterprise (WOSB/WBE) company in Ronkonkoma, NY. East/West has over 55 years of dedicated service in the design, development, and manufacturing of aircraft seating systems and other critical components for military aircraft crew safety in both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Ms. Ferraro has a 40-year track record of success providing fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership at the rapidly growing company her parents founded in 1968. She is known for her exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to resolve multiple and complex challenges while motivating staff to…
LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the manager and developer of LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B, appointed Klaudia FitzGerald as Chief Operating Officer in November 2023. FitzGerald joins LGP’s now majority-women-led executive leadership team from AvAirPros Inc., where she most recently served as the JFK Terminal One operator’s Senior Director of Operations. A seasoned operations leader in the airport industry, Klaudia oversees LaGuardia Airport Terminal B’s commitment to safety, security, and operational performance. Her career stretches across two decades. Most recently, she concluded a 12-year tenure with JFK’s Terminal One operator AvAirPros in various operations roles leading up to Senior Director of…
During the day, LeSher Harvey is a Commercial & Compliance Manager for JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) at Terminal 7, a role she has held for over a year. In her free time, she’s the founder and leader of JMP’s “People of Passion” (PoP) community outreach group, a 17-member strong team of JMP staff that volunteers their time to support initiatives in the local Queens community. At T7, LeSher manages and optimizes the Terminal’s commercial operations and ensures compliance with standards and regulations. She oversees the development and management of concession spaces within the Terminal, fostering partnerships with vendors and ensuring…
Shehla Iftekhar is an Academic & Career Advisor for York College Aviation Management, which is under the Business & Economics Department. Shehla loves every aspect of her role at CUNY York College. Prior to joining CUNY Aviation Management her work has earned her several distinguished human rights advocacy awards at the New York State level and beyond. Shehla has earned her bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication Studies from CUNY Baruch College and dual graduate degrees with distinction in Mental Health Counseling and Vocational Rehab Counseling from Hofstra University in New York. Shehla is also a TEDx Speaker, who can speak…
Stacey Lora, Vice President Safety and Security, manages Terminal 4’s safety and security program. She ensures that T4 is focused on achieving a zero-accident culture and adhering to all security-focused regulations while working closely with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police, the Transportation Security Administration, and US Customs and Border Protection, among others. Ms. Lora previously served as a security manager for American Airlines and has more than 20 years of experience in aviation operations. How did you get your start working in the aviation industry? Stacey Lora: I started working at JFK just out of…
Dr. Maxine Lubner is a Professor and Chair of the Management and, formerly, Aviation, Departments at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, New York City. Previously, Dr. Lubner was appointed Executive Director of the City University of New York (CUNY) Aviation Institute at York College and a faculty member at New York University’s Graduate School of Social Work. She has conducted research in the areas of aviation safety, human factors, and aviation education. She holds an FAA Private Pilot Certificate. She obtained an undergraduate B.A. and a graduate B.A. (Hons) in Counseling Psychology from the University of Cape Town, South…