More than two hundred aviation professionals participated in the 52nd Annual Massachusetts Airport Management Association’s (MAMA) Conference at the Margaritaville Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis, MA from October 19-21.
Intense by day and laid back by night, delegates participated in a wide range of discussions that included noise mitigation, preparing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 games, effective stakeholder communication strategies, project funding tips, dealing with regulations in motion with updates from the Massachusetts Legislative Aviation Caucus, Mass DOT Aeronautics Division and the FAA.
The three-day meeting kicked off with a Commissioner’s Workshop where both new and seasoned airport commissioners gained practical and legal insight into their duties and best practices.
The keynote speaker was Jamail Larkins, a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur, Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Innovative Entrepreneur, and President of Ascension Aircraft. Larkins clearly demonstrated the need for many more pilots, mechanics and controllers in the next decade and a plan to meet that need. The following day, Ed Freni, Director of Aviation at Massport showed a clear path for growth in regional air transportation.
Inducted into the Massachusetts Hall of Fame were Russell Boardman and John Polando who flew from Floyd Bennett Field to Istanbul, Turkey in 1931 to set an aviation record for the longest continuous distance flown without refueling. Today, Cape Cod Gateway Airport bears their names. Also inducted was Massachusetts native and world-known airshow performer Rob Holland, who lost his life preparing for an airshow earlier this year. The third inductee was Dan Wolf, former state senator and founder of Cape Air.
This year’s conference was co-chaired by Dave Dinneen of Gale Associates and Paul McDonough of McFarland Johnson, Inc.
The meeting concluded with the nomination and subsequent election of MAMA’s officers; President Andy Widor of Westover Airport, Vice President Dan Shearer of Westfield Barnes Airport; Secretary Natalie Pavelock of Jacobs Engineering; and Treasurer Matt Cardillo of Plymouth Airport. Serving on the Board of Directors for 2026 will be Andy Davis, Worchester Airport; Geoff Freeman, Marthas Vineyard Airport; Christopher Willenborg of Hansom Airport; Peter Kettle, Fitchburg Airport, Matthew Elia, Hoyle Tanner Associates; Don McPherson, Minute Man Air Field; and Dave Dinneen, Gale Associates. Natalie Pavelock of Jacobs Engineering and Kelsey O’Connell of Westover Airport will represent MAMA’s Emerging Leaders.
