NASAO News Release
The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) concluded its 2026 Annual Convention and Trade Show in Grand Forks, North Dakota held Sept. 13 -16, 2026, drawing more than 340 attendees and representatives from 37 states, NASAO leadership called the event a resounding success.
“NASAO’s 95th annual meeting once again brought the nation’s state aviation leaders together to discuss critical policy issues as well as access information on new developments in airport infrastructure, workforce development, and emerging aeronautical technologies,” said Greg Pecoraro, the association’s president and CEO. “It also brought state officials together with their partners at the FAA to exchange ideas on solving common problems and identifying opportunities to improve processes and information sharing vital to the maintenance and improvement of America’s airports.”
“It was a tremendous honor for North Dakota to host the 95th NASAO Annual Convention and Trade Show in Grand Forks,” said Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. “The theme ‘50 States, One Sky’ captured the spirit of the convention—state aviation leaders coming together to share ideas, confront common challenges, and help shape the future of our national aviation system. We were proud to showcase North Dakota’s aviation and UAS ecosystem and the remarkable partnerships that continue to move our industry forward. I am deeply grateful to our Aeronautics Commission staff, our local partners, and the NASAO team whose dedication and collaboration made this convention such a success.”
The three-and-a-half day event featured trade show floor demonstrations and exhibits, keynote addresses from leadership coach Stephanie Goetz and BETA Technologies Head of Sales & Support Simon Newitt, as well as panel sessions, and networking opportunities.
2026-2027 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NASAO state members also elected the 2026-2027 NASAO Board of Directors. Frank Farmer, Bureau Chief for aeronautics at the Alabama Department of Transportation, began his tenure as NASAO Board Chair on Sept. 15. The NASAO Board of Directors is comprised of NASAO’s Executive Committee and Regional Directors.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Frank Farmer, Alabama Department of Transportation – Chair
Bryan Budds, Michigan Department of Transportation – Vice Chair
Colette W. Edmisten, A.A.E., Georgia Department of Transportation – Treasurer
Kenji Sugahara, Oregon Department of Aviation – Secretary
Clayton Stambaugh, Illinois Department of Transportation – Immediate Past Chair
REGIONAL DIRECTORS
Jeremy Borrell, Nebraska Department of Transportation – Central Region
Greg Campbell, Virginia Department of Aviation – Eastern Region
Ryan Gaug, AICP, Minnesota Department of Transportation – Great Lakes Region
Denise Garcia, Massachusetts Department of Transportation – New England Region
Shawn Burke, Wyoming Department of Transportation – Northwest Mountain Region
John Paul Saalwaechter, P.E., Tennessee Department of Transportation – Southern Region
Jessi Litz-Rowden, New Mexico Department of Transportation – Southwest Region
Tarek Tabshouri, California Department of Transportation – Western-Pacific Region
FUTURE CONVENTIONS
The 2027 NASAO Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held Sept. 26-29 in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by Seattle, Washington in 2028.
