2016 Candidate

Biographies for ATCA’s Chair Elect and

Directors-at-Large Election

Vincent Capezzuto Aireon Running for Director-at-Large Vincent Capezzuto is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President of Engineering at Aireon. He is responsible for leading the design, development and implementation of the Aireon service.

With more than 30 years of experience in Air Traffic Management, Capezzuto has an extensive knowledge of the air traffic systems, Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast (ADS-B) and related technologies, ground radar and satellite systems alike. Most recently, Capezzuto spent 18 years working at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In his role as the Director of Air Traffic Systems in the FAA’s Program Management Organization (PMO), Capezzuto was responsible for systems that support daily tactical operations, as well as executing new surveillance and automation tools that are forming the basis for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).

Capezzuto held a variety of positions at the FAA, including Director of En Route and Oceanic Program Operations and Supervisory Aviation Technical System Specialist for a variety of air traffic systems. Prior to joining the FAA, he worked for private sector companies including United Technologies, Westinghouse and Republic Electronics, where he was involved in the design, integration, test, implementation and manufacturing of electronic equipment for commercial, civil and military applications.

Mr. Capezzuto holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from the New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from George Washington University.

Giovanni Carnaroli CSRA Running for Director-at-Large

H. Giovanni Carnaroli is currently a Vice President at CSRA (the result of the merger between CSC and SRA International). He was previously the Director, Global Public Sector Practice at Grant Thornton, LLP. Prior to that position, he was the Associate CIO at the Department of Transportation (DOT), responsible for the most effective management oversight of the Department’s $3.2 billion investment in technology, and all capital planning and investment control activities associated with it, including the safeguarding the Office of the Secretary of Transportation’s interest in NextGen. This has been an involvement that went back to the mid-1990s when, as an Economist in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Aviation Policy and Plans, Giovanni worked with the International Civil Aviation Organization on establishing GPS as the standard for satellite-based navigation. At that time, Giovanni was also responsible for preparing miscellaneous new policy and economic studies for funding facilities and equipment, maintaining the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and Aviation Data Analysis models used in policy development; creating a new benefit-cost analysis model for the establishment and discontinuance of federal contract towers; and performing benefit-cost analyses of airport improvement program applications, resulting in new runways, taxiways, and aprons at several domestic airports.

Prior to becoming a Senior Executive at DOT, as Director, IT Project and Portfolio Services at the FAA, Giovanni was responsible for all aspects of IT capital planning; overseeing the development of the agency's IT business cases and IT portfolio; and implementing Earned Value Management and other program management best practices and processes. Giovanni also provided aviation management consulting to clients worldwide during a break in service at the FAA. Clients included individual airports and multi-airport authorities, regional and major airlines, U.S. and foreign governments, industry trade associations, and labor unions.

Giovanni is a licensed commercial airplane (single-engine and multi-engine land and sea, instrument) and helicopter pilot. In his spare time, if not flying, Giovanni is also a volunteer Fire Chief in Montgomery County, MD whose accomplishments include co-leading the Montgomery County, MD Firefighting Task Force deployed to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Giovanni graduated summa cum laude in agricultural economics from North Carolina State University, obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Arts in security management from The George Washington University.

Cynthia Anne Castillo CSSI, Inc. Running for ATCA Chair Elect Cynthia Anne Castillo is an accomplished leader, passionate advocate for aviation and air traffic control and a candidate for ATCA Chair-Elect.

Ms. Castillo has been CEO of CSSI since 1993, when she took over the company her father founded shortly after it was awarded its first prime contract with the FAA. Today, CSSI is a growth-oriented company that has played a key role in some of the most significant air traffic control and management projects in history, including initiatives that revolutionized airspace safety and capacity and NextGen.

Ms. Castillo has been closely involved with ATCA for more than 20 years. She was a member of the ATCA Scholarship Fund Board from 2002 through 2014, and served as its Chairman from 2009 through 2014. She continues her support of the scholarship initiatives today through fundraising efforts and personal contributions. She was on the ATCA Board of Directors for three consecutive terms, from 2004 through 2010, and during her tenure served as secretary and treasurer. She was also a member of the Search Selection Committee for the ATCA President searches in 2003 and 2006.

Using her experience as a business owner in a competitive industry, Ms. Castillo will promote and grow ATCA as Chair-Elect and advance its mission by encouraging collaboration and involvement of all stakeholders – including corporations, advocacy groups, educational organizations and individuals. She will work tirelessly to increase the visibility and relevance of ATCA while further securing its place as the most important organization in the air traffic community.

Rick Day Rick Day and Associates Running for Chair Elect and Director-at-Large

Professional Summary: April 2016 – Present, President Rick Day and Associates, LLC

As President of Rick Day and Associates, LLC, we provide consulting services with a focus on the services, business strategies, and polices, and plans in the areas of air traffic management, airspace management, aeronautical information, contingency planning, technology integration and implementation, data management, UAS, Airports, weather systems, environmental, safety management systems, systems operations/security.

January 2016 – March 2016, VP Transportation Group, CSRA June 2013 – January, 2016, GM Transportation Solutions, CSGov/CSC

Served as the VP of the Transportation Group at CSRA, and as GM Transportation Solutions at CSC. Developed solutions for the DOT and FAA. Responsible for strategy and plans to bring solutions for mission, IT, and business challenges to DOT and FAA in the area of Mission Air Traffic Control/Air Traffic Management, Business Intelligence, IT, Cyber Security, Mobility, Big Data and Analytics, Cloud computing, Applications Modernization, and other customer-centric solutions. Responsible for new business capture and growth as well as performance within existing programs. Programs included FAA Cloud Services (FCS), FAA Traffic Flow Management System (TFMS), Cyber Security Management Center (CSMC), the FAA Airport Transportation Research and Development (ATRD), FAA EMS365, FAA DUATS, and Volpe TMIS programs.

January 2011- June 2013, President Rick Day and Associates, LLC

As President of Rick Day and Associates, LLC, Rick provided consulting services with a focus on the development of business strategies and business capture plans in the areas of air traffic management, airspace management, aeronautical information, contingency planning, technology integration and implementation, weather systems, environmental, safety management systems, systems operations/security, and infrastructure.

September 2008 – November 2010, FAA ATO Senior VP Operations Served as the ATO Senior Vice President of Operations, responsible for the management of the National Airspace System (NAS); including international airspace delegated to the United States. Led the Air Traffic Organization operating services as well as air traffic controller and technician technical training and all mission support services; leading a team of six vice presidents.

Responsible for the delivering of over 50,000 operational services daily (commercial, civil, military, remotely piloted vehicles, and support for commercial space) from over 500 locations and the Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Directed the establishment of policies, standards, and procedures covering air traffic flow management, airspace management, air traffic procedures and rulemaking, NAS infrastructure, configuration management, and aeronautical information management to assure the safe, efficient, and secure use of navigable airspace. Provided executive oversight and direction to the management of technical and engineering services and over 100 programs that sustain, refresh, and modernize NAS infrastructure, assure safety, track performance, and monitor and protect against cyber threats as well as air transportation security and contingency issues. Represented the FAA worldwide at many international bi-lateral, operational, safety, technical, and trade forums and served as the principal agency representative on operational air traffic issues with congress, industry, the public, and various governmental bodies.

Rick Ducharme CGH Technologies, Inc. Running for Director-at-Large Richard J. Ducharme has over 35 years of aviation experience, including 10 years as a member of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Senior Executive Service (SES). He began his aviation career in the United States Air Force in 1974 and in 1982 joined the FAA as an Air Traffic Control specialist supporting Boston Logan International Airport. He gained progressive management experiences across the FAA, serving as Branch Manager for the Eastern Region of New York in 1993; as Air Traffic Manager at the ATCT in Philadelphia beginning in 1994; as Assistant Air Traffic Division Manager in New York between 2000 and 2003, where he was assigned the lead to coordinate the Eastern region’s air traffic response to 9/11; and as Division Manager for the Eastern Regional Office from 2003 – 2007. He later held the position of Deputy Chief Operating Officer / Senior Vice President for Operations, responsible for providing full executive direction and oversight for safety, security and performance of air traffic management system operations, airspace management, performance targets, mission support, and infrastructure. He directed the formulation and implementation of policies, standards, and procedures governing the efficient operation of domestic and international air traffic operations. Additionally, he served as the Administration’s Chief Negotiator for the 2009 National Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) Contract and conducted executive briefings for the White House, United States Congress and the Department of Transportation regarding negotiation strategies, key decision points, and strategies for success. He also served as Director for Terminal Mission Support, leading Air Traffic Organization Realignment for Terminal Services. He was responsible for developing the strategic initiatives, setting the performance goals needed to carry out the organizational changes, and delivering the field services, staff training, operations, and business support for more than 12,000 Terminal employees. He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2012. Throughout his career, he has served in numerous executive and management positions, touching every aspect of the world’s largest and busiest air traffic system and contributing to the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS) through steadfast, decisive, and responsible leadership. He is considered a subject matter expert in resolving strategic, policy, and day-to-day operational issues for complex air traffic operations, including En Route and Oceanic, Terminal, Aviation Security, Labor Relations and System Operations. Ducharme currently holds an Executive-level position at CGH Technologies, Inc., responsible for organizational innovation and workforce engagements. Prior to joining CGH, he served as the Executive Vice President for Air Traffic Management and Industry Relations for Metron Aviation/Airbus ProSky in Washington D.C. He has an exceptional track record of meeting organizational performance goals, and ensuring that Operational Service Units work collaboratively in achieving their overall goals and mission.  

Michael Hawthorne Veracity Engineering Running for Director-at-Large “As an At-Large Director on ATCA’s Board, I will ensure that our organization is positioned to continue as the most influential of its kind in the world. It is imperative that we help restore aviation as an industry of choice for the next generation of STEM career seekers, and continue to facilitate discussions on the most complex policy issues standing between where we are today and our industry’s future.” As captured in David McCullough’s best seller, The Wright Brothers, while researching birds in flight, Wilbur Wright once remarked that: “The soaring problem is apparently not so much one of better wings as of better operators.” This observation was ground-breaking in its day because it helped change the mindset around the quest for manned flight, adding the need for skilled people to what had been a quest focused primarily on the design of the machine. Over 100 years later, this remains true and applies just as valuably to our industry as a whole. Technology has evolved in leaps and bounds, and will surely continue to do so. However, if we do not work as an industry to ensure we have people with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and passion leading the way, as well as the necessary policy changes in place to apply those technologies to our critical mission, we will fail. After stumbling into this critical industry as a cooperative education student at the FAA Technical Center, I’ve spent over 25 years developing new programs and capabilities, advocating innovative approaches to solving problems, and making sure that those who succeed me are better off for my having been there. I have been involved with ATCA most of my career, publishing multiple papers and speaking on various subjects. Most recently, I have taken on a leadership role with the ATCA Conference Committee around the subject of workforce planning, i.e., fostering the future of aviation, moderating a panel in 2014 and coordinating a follow-on last fall. Bringing fresh faces into our industry, as well as into our leadership ranks, is a passion and a priority for me. As the Vice President for Strategy and Development at Veracity Engineering, I am responsible for positioning Veracity to most effectively contribute to the sustainment and improvement of the aviation industry. Before joining Veracity, I provided strategic direction of the FAA Account at Noblis. I spent the 22 years prior to that with the FAA, leading and developing NextGen-enabling programs like Data Communications, En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), and System Wide Information Management (SWIM). I also led the ATO’s international activities in the Western Hemisphere, served as the ATO’s liaison to the ICAO, and was a Senior Advisor for Aviation Policy. I am a Philadelphia native who fell in love with aviation in South Jersey in the early nineties. I moved to Virginia in 1996 to lead a Cooperative R&D Agreement between FAA and industry to research the potential of integrating the flight deck, flight operations, and air traffic management. Back then they called it wishful thinking; today, we call it NextGen. I hold a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University, and a BS in Engineering Technology from The Rochester Institute of Technology, and a professional certification in Project Management from PMI. I embrace challenges that involve a breadth of aviation issues - technology, operations, people, and policy – and have a passion for working the complex problems where those issues intersect. I look forward to applying the experiences I’ve gained throughout my career, my leadership skills, and the passion I have for this industry to help guide ATCA into the next generation of impactful collaboration.

Michael K. Headley TMA Running for Director-at-Large I am very pleased to once again be a candidate for the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) Board of Directors. I have had the honor of serving as an ATCA Board Member for the past 10 years. Over that time period I have been fortunate to be part of its tremendous growth in individual and corporate memberships, the increase in high quality publications, larger conventions, and most importantly, increased participation from individuals, corporations, and customers in our industry. For the past 25 years I have been an entrepreneur working in both the Eastern and North East regions whose livelihood depends on providing quality engineering services to the FAA. In this capacity I have gained a real appreciation for the problems facing aviation, the FAA, and the large community of people and contractors who collectively keep flying safe and efficient. Over the course of my career, as I grew familiar with the air traffic control field and ATCA, I became more involved with ATCA and the camaraderie it provides. For many years I have sponsored exhibits, participated in and provided speakers for ATCA events, and regularly contributed to the ATCA Scholarship Fund. I feel that I can bring to the Board the perspective of both a small and large business involved in FAA programs, of someone from both inside and outside “the beltway,” and of someone who has been involved with the professional and fraternal aspects of ATCA. With your vote of support, it would be my honor to continue my participation in ATCA and continue to serve you on the Board of Directors.

Fran Hill Lockheed Martin Running for Director-at-Large Fran Hill is a Program Director in Lockheed Martin’s Transportation Solutions business. Ms. Hill is responsible for U.S. Air Traffic Programs including the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), Time-Based Flow Management (TBFM), Micro En Route Automated Radar Terminal System (Micro-EARTS), Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP), Common Automated Radar Terminal System (CARTS), and Host. Key NextGen capabilities including ADS-B, Data Communications, and Ground-Based Interval Management Spacing (GIM-S) have been deployed on these programs. Ms. Hill is leading a portfolio of programs delivering key NextGen foundations and capabilities. Prior to her Program Director assignment, Ms. Hill was the Director of Aviation Engineering leading the engineering organization to deliver technology and innovation to Lockheed Martin customers. Ms. Hill led the engineering for FAA systems such as Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS), User Request Evaluation Tool (URET), Display System Replacement (DSR), ATOP, and ERAM as well as systems in the UK (New En Route Centre – NERC) and around the world. Ms. Hill started her career with IBM Federal System Division supporting DOD and FAA customers in a variety of system engineering, software development and management positions. Ms. Hill graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor and a Master of Engineering in Computer Science.

Chip Meserole The Boeing Company Running for ATCA Chair Elect Chip Meserole is Director of Airspace and Operational Efficiency at The Boeing Company, and he is a current member of the ATCA Board of Directors, representing the Western Region. At Boeing, his group’s responsibility is to advance new capabilities in air traffic management that enhance system capacity and efficiency globally. This group executes the company’s contracts with the FAA, NASA, and SESAR in this domain; creates flight optimization business concepts for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services; and conducts R&D in air-ground integration and network-enabled operations. It has activities in Seattle, in the Washington, D.C. area, and at company sites in Spain, Australia, Brazil, and China. His team was a partner with the FAA in the early work to define system wide information management, and it pioneered tailored arrivals at San Francisco using oceanic FANS data communications. More recently it has been instrumental in establishing the practicality of using FANS in the current Data Communications Integrated Systems program, and he is leading Boeing’s efforts with the FAA in creating a data communications roadmap that is harmonized with Europe. He leads Boeing’s cooperative research and development agreement with the William J. Hughes Technical Center, and his group developed Boeing InFlight Direct Routes and Wind Updates, a pair of new commercial services for airlines. Boeing participation in international committees for standards development in data communications, airborne separation assurance, trajectory operations, and aviation weather is under his direction. He joined Boeing in 1984 and held several positions in space systems and launch vehicles development before moving into its air traffic management initiative in 2001. Early in his career he worked in R&D in the fields of aircraft propulsion, wind energy, and robotics. He is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and is a current member of its Digital Avionics Technical Committee, for which he sits on the executive committees of two annual conferences it manages—the Digital Avionics Systems Conference and the Integrated Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance Conference. He has been a general chair of the latter and is a past chair of the AIAA Electric Propulsion Technical Committee. He holds several patents. He has a B.S.E. degree from Princeton University, an M.S. from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. from MIT, in aerospace and mechanical engineering.