State Aviation Officials Gain Valuable Insights at Successful Washington Conference

*Michael Whitaker photo by Daniel Stanley*.

State aviation officials gathered in Washington D.C. last week for the National Association of State Aviation Officials’ (NASAO) Annual Washington Conference.

Attendees heard from speakers such as FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, the Honorable Rick Larsen (D-WA), and FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin, P.E. who discussed ways to partner with states to improve air service to small communities, gave valuable insight on the status of the FAA reauthorization bill and FY 2024 appropriations bills, and provided an update on FAA Office of Airport’s key activities.

*Shannetta Griffin, Associate Administrator for Airports, Office of Airports, FAA.*

NASAO also hosted a Wednesday evening reception sponsored by Thales & Jetlaw, LLC, where attendees connected with their peers while enjoying beautiful views of the nation’s capital. NASAO’s 93rd Annual Convention & Trade Show will be held in Pittsburgh, PA on September 7-11, 2024.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.