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.
Denecia Marshall, M.A., Ed.M. has prepared students for successful careers in the Aviation Industry since 2023. She serves as an Academic Internship Manager/Industry Organization Specialist at CUNY York College where she specializes in career launch readiness, leadership development, and professional identity for aviation students. Her work emphasizes bridging the gap between academic preparation and industry expectations through experiential learning, career coaching, industry exposure, and leadership skill-building. A certified coach and educator, Denecia leverages 18 years in finance and 14 years in psychology and higher education to prepare students for the aviation industry. She combines industry rigor with career strategy and student-centered…
Sonjay Murray brings a strong background in community engagement, public service, and customer advocacy to her role at Delta Air Lines. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in sociology and her Master of Social Work from Syracuse University, academic experiences that shaped her people-centered approach to service. She began her career with Girl Scouts of the USA as a Membership and Community Development Liaison for the Northeast region, working with diverse communities to expand access and engagement. She later joined the U.S. Department of Justice, contributing to mission-driven work at the federal level. After taking time to focus on…
Lucia Oswald is the Vice President of Business Development at Global Elite Group, Inc., an aviation security company located in Garden City, NY. Lucia joined Global Elite in 2008 and has held various positions within the company, including Director of Operations and Vice President of Operations, before taking on her current role. With over 45 years of experience in the aviation industry, Lucia has also worked for TWA in both the U.S. and Europe, as well as for Spirit Airlines, Jet Airways of India, and Maxjet. How did you begin your career in aviation or at the airports? Lucia Oswald: I…
Kathleen Pettit is a distinguished hospitality executive with over 30 years of experience driving growth and excellence within the New York market. Currently serving as the Corporate Director of New Business Development for HHM Hotels, Kathleen oversees a sprawling portfolio of over 230 properties. Her career is defined by a unique blend of high-level sales strategy and a ‘people-first’ leadership philosophy that consistently exceeds guest expectations. Known as a ‘trailblazer’ in the industry, Kathleen’s impact extends far beyond the boardroom. In 2021, she received the prestigious HSMAI Global Recovery Hero award for her visionary leadership during the pandemic, where she…
Jaclyn Rodriguez is the Controller for JFK International Airport’s animal health, reception, and quarantine center at The ARK at JFK. She oversees all accounting functions, including bookkeeping, financial reporting, budgeting, and risk management/assessment alongside management. Jaclyn partakes in operational work with all departments, having specific oversight of the Equine Import/Export Operations. From Long Island, NY, Jaclyn graduated from Molloy College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in finance, where she was also part of the softball and equestrian teams. With a family background in JFK aviation and a lifelong love for animals, Jaclyn combined her passions at…
Cathy Romano is a seasoned Executive Manager with over 30 years of experience in the aviation and ground handling industry, specializing in delivering exceptional customer service and operational excellence. Renowned for fostering strong client relationships, Cathy has a proven ability to lead high-performing teams, resolve complex challenges, and ensure customer satisfaction at every touchpoint. With a customer-first mindset and expertise in service delivery, Cathy is dedicated to creating seamless, world-class experiences for clients and stakeholders alike. Was aviation your first career choice? Catherine Romano: Aviation was not my first choice as a career. I have a B.S. degree from St.…
Community cultivator Dianna Rose embodies growth, resilience, and intentional impact across every space she touches. A devoted woman of faith, mother, and visionary entrepreneur, she remains deeply rooted in Southeast Queens while expanding her influence across sustainability, infrastructure access, and inclusive economic advancement. Proudly balancing family, purpose, and leadership, she continues to model what mission-driven entrepreneurship looks like in practice. As Founder and Principal of Dianna Rose & Associates, Dianna leads initiatives that bridge local businesses to institutional marketplaces, particularly within major transportation infrastructure projects. Her firm serves as program coordinator for the JFK Airport Institute of Concessions, a nationally…
Elisabeth Sailer serves as Chief Commercial Officer for LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the manager and developer of the new LaGuardia Terminal B, where she leads the commercial strategy for Terminal B, working closely with commercial partners and overseeing revenue development, guest experience, and marketing. She brings more than 20 years of international experience in airport management, commercial revenue growth and business development, with a longstanding tenure at Munich Airport Group, including her most recent role as Chief Commercial Officer at Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport. Elisabeth holds an MBA in General Management and is an International Airport Professional (IAP),…
As Director, Operations Planning and Implementation, Kasia is a key member of Vantage’s Operational Readiness and Transition (ORAT) teams, currently supporting facility design and phasing activities at JFK Terminal 6. Kasia provides oversight for all JFK Terminal 6 ORAT planning and implementation initiatives, a role she also held at LaGuardia Gateway Partners during the transition to the award-winning Terminal B. Kasia’s additional airport specializations include security, health and safety, and passenger services. Prior to joining Vantage Group, Kasia spent a decade with JFK IAT, where she held roles in both Operations and Safety. In the Operations Department, she served as…
With a strong foundation in aviation education, operations, and community engagement, Natasha is committed to driving impactful outreach, education, and business‐inclusion initiatives within the aviation sector. Natasha earned a B.S. in Aviation Management & Pre-Law from CUNY York College and an M.S. in Aviation & Aerospace Technology from Purdue University Polytechnic Institute, where her research on NTSB-reported aircraft and helicopter incidents, aviation forecasts, and operational safety received academic recognition. As Project Manager for JFK International Airport’s multi-billion-dollar redevelopment, Natasha leads community engagement, educational pipelines, and local business partnerships for the Port Authority of NY & NJ. Natasha designs community engagement…