SWAAAE Announces Board of Directors Election Results and Annual Awards

Kim Stevens National News

The 2026-28 Board of Directors election was held in late July in conjunction with the 80th Annual SWAAAE Summer Conference in Palm Desert, CA. Below are the results of the election, as well as Board member advancements:

  • Andrew J. Swanson, C.A.E., of Palo Alto Airport advanced from 1st Vice President to President
  • Alex Smith, A.A.E., C.A.E., of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority advanced from 2nd Vice President to 1st Vice President
  • Cole T. Hartfiel, C.M., ACE, of Sacramento County Department of Airports was elected to 2nd Vice President
  • Gladys D. Brown, C.A.E., C.M., of Yuma International Airport & Rolle Airfield advanced from President to Immediate Past President and President of the SWAAAE Foundation
  • Brett J. Godown, A.A.E., C.A.E., of County of San Bernardino Department of Airports was appointed to Director to represent Southern California for a one-year term
  • Benjamin Westergren, C.M., of Santa Barbara Municipal Airport continues his term as Director to represent Southern California
  • James Cullison, C.M., of Sacramento County Department of Airports was elected as Director to represent Northern California
  • Francisco Partida, C.M., C.A.E., USAP, of City of Fresno, Airports Department continues his term as Director to represent Northern California
  • Graham Ritz, A.A.E., C.A.E., ACE, of Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority continues his term as Director to represent Nevada
  • Sarah Demory, A.A.E., ACE, of City of Phoenix Aviation Department was re-elected as Director to represent Arizona
  • Tim O’Keeffe, C.M., ACE, of San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport continues his term as Director At-Large
  • Stephanie Sampson of Accenture was elected as Corporate Director
  • Brett Shank of RS&H continues his term as Corporate Director
  • Chad Makovsky, A.A.E., C.A.E., of City of Phoenix Aviation Department continues his term as AAAE Director
  • Mark Witsoe, A.A.E., C.A.E., of Napa County Airport continues his term as AAAE Director
  • Andrew Solsvig, A.A.E., of City of Redding Airports continues to serve as the Chapter’s AAAE Board of Examiners Representative
  • Jennifer Maples, A.A.E., C.A.E., ACE, of City of Phoenix Aviation Department continues to serve as the Chapter’s AAAE Nominating Committee Representative

SAJ Joins SWAAAE in Congratulating Their 2026 Chapter Award Winners and SWAAAE Foundation Scholarship Recipients

SWAAAE was pleased to recognize the recipients of their Chapter Annual Awards. During the President’s Banquet on Tuesday, July 21, they proudly honored the following individuals with this year’s awards:

  • Lifetime Achievement – The Wanamaker Award: Michael D. Hill, DBIA, CPC, LEED AP, Sundt Construction
  • Aviation Excellence Award: Katherine Bales, C.M., ACE GA, C.A.E., Napa County Airport
  • Airport Executive of the Year: Charlene Reynolds, John Wayne Airport
  • President’s Award: Anita Cobb, MBA, Mead & Hunt
  • President’s Award: ZØØ Visual & Audio Production Committee
  • Award of Distinction: Alice Bimrose, A.A.E., ACE, C.A.E., PSM²
  • Outstanding Committee Service Award: Erica Ledesma, C.A.E., City of Livermore
  • Mentorship & Leadership Award: Lisa Watada,WSP
  • Volunteer of the Year: Katherine Bales, C.M., ACE GA, C.A.E., Napa County Airport
  • SWAAAE Member of the Year: Whitney Robare, C.A.E., Monterey Regional Airport
  • Emerging Leader: James Bui, City of Palo Alto
  • Operational Excellence and Community Spirit: Loriann Chace, C.M., ACE, ASC, Sacramento County Department of Airports
  • Aviation Partner Award: KCA Association and Event Management


New Certified Airport Executive Chapter Members

SWAAAE is pleased to announce Erica Ledesma, Property Manager for Livermore Municipal Airport, T.J. Chen, PE, CM, Senior Program Manager at AtkinsRealis, and Donald Williams Jr., Operations Manager of Monterey Regional Airport District, were recently awarded the SWAAAE designation of Certified Airport Executive (C.A.E.). This designation is a testament to expertise and commitment to excellence in airport management.

SWAAAE also congratulates the following SWAAAE Foundation Scholarship recipients:

  • 2026 Summer Conference Scholarship Recipient: Andrew Solsvig
  • 2026 Summer Conference Scholarship Recipient: Max Bloom
  • 2026 Summer Conference Scholarship Recipient: Purdina Guerra
  • Academic Scholarship Recipient: Mst Nahar
  • Accreditation Scholarship Recipient: Mohammed Jaweed

For more information regarding the awards, please visit: