The Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety

The Honorable Robert L. Sumwalt is the former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. He now serves as the Distinguished Fellow in Aviation Safety and executive director of the Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety. Mr. Sumwalt has over four decades of aviation experience, including 24 years as captain for a major U.S.-based international airline. He also served in airline and corporate aviation safety and flight operations management roles. Additionally, Mr. Sumwalt served as a research consultant to NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). He holds a master's degree in Aeronautical Science (with Distinction) from Embry-Riddle with concentrations in aviation/aerospace safety systems and aviation human factors.

Dr. Kristy Kiernan is the program coordinator for the Master of Science in Aviation Safety at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus and an associate professor in the Department of Graduate Studies. A former Coast Guard aviator, Dr. Kiernan was an aviation safety officer, crew resource management instructor and chief pilot for technical issues in the Falcon 20. Her current research investigates the positive contribution of human performance to aviation safety and the safety aspects of integrating uncrewed systems into the national airspace. She is a contributor to Forbes.com in the area of aerospace and defense, and serves as the curator of the World Economic Forum Drone Transformation Map. She has worked on several grants funded by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence for UAS Research (ASSURE). She holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from Brown University, a Ph.D. in Aviation from Embry-Riddle, an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with a Falcon-type rating and a Remote Pilot Certificate. She is an actively flying commercial pilot in the SR-22 and TBM 850.

Dr. Ryan Wallace is an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He holds an Ed.D. in Applied Education Studies (Aviation option), an M.S. in Aviation and a B.S. in Aeronautics. His research focuses on UAS safety, security, human factors and public policy. Dr. Wallace serves as the PI for federal grants valued at more than $2.1 million. He has facilitated professional training seminars for multiple federal agencies in the areas of UAS safety, operations, and counter-UAS topics. He further serves as a representative on the FAA’s Drone Safety Team (DST).

Dr. Wallace previously chaired the University Aviation Association’s UAS Committee, where he led a collaborative effort to publish the UAS Pilot’s Code, a compendium of procedures and best practices to improve UAS operational safety. He is also a former editor of the Collegiate Aviation Review International, the official scholarly journal of the University Aviation Association. He previously worked as a customer training specialist at the Boeing Company on the E-7T Airborne Early Warning & Control program. An Air Force veteran, he was a rated Air Battle Manager on the E-3 AWACS, where he accumulated more than 1,500 flight hours.

Mr. Ryan is the executive director of the Robertson Safety Institute. He is an assistant professor in the College of Aviation at the Embry-Riddle Prescott campus. Before joining Embry-Riddle, Mr. Ryan was the VP of Aviation for a Part 91 operator from 2008 to 2021, where he was responsible for the operational oversight of a flight department with multiple aircraft, personnel and hangar facilities. Mr. Ryan also served as the Chief Pilot for Bombardier Aerospace/Learjet in Wichita, Kansas, where he served on the flight deck and systems design, development and flight test team for the Challenger 300 and Learjet 60XR programs, and was one of the founders of the Bombardier Safety Standdown program. Mr. Ryan holds Airline Transport Pilot, Commercial ASEL/S Instrument (multiple type ratings) and Flight Instructor certificates.

Sarah Ochs is the director of professional programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on the Daytona Beach, Florida, campus. She has served as the director for over 14 years and has represented the university for nearly two decades. Sarah has welcomed over 1,000 professionals from over 65 countries to open enrolment and customized contract courses that cover the scope of the aviation and aerospace industry. Under Sarah’s leadership, the offerings by Professional Programs have quadrupled and increased in diversity of subject area and modalities of learning. Sarah’s passion for hospitality, continued learning and customer service serves her well as an ambassador for the university. Sarah holds a Master of Science in Management, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Education.

Rosa Biondi is the senior administrative assistant for the Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on the Daytona Beach, Florida, campus. She has served as the assistant to the executive director and Center since January. Rosa has over 28 years of experience, both administratively and in very technical project management roles in the financial services sector.

She is married with two children and resides in Ormond Beach, Florida. In her spare time, Rosa enjoys fitness and reading. Rosa holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Montclair State University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Embry-Riddle Worldwide in Project Management.

Dr. Abbott is the FAA’s chief scientific and technical advisor for Flight Deck Human Factors, with over 40 years of work on human performance and human error. She has led the integration of human engineering into FAA/international regulatory material and policies for flight guidance systems, avionics, all-weather operations, Required Navigation Performance, crew qualification, data communication and other areas. She has been involved extensively in accident, incident and other safety data analysis.

Prior to joining the FAA, Dr. Abbott worked for NASA, where she was responsible for leading analytical, simulation and flight studies with the specific objective of improving aviation safety and operational efficiency. She is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She is also a certificated private pilot, with familiarization training in several large transport aircraft. Dr. Abbott earned her B.S. in Mathematics and Information Science from Christopher Newport College, an M.S. in Computer Science from George Washington University and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Rutgers University.

Dr. Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, president of West Houston Airport, started sweeping hangars at eight years old at the privately owned, public-use FAA Reliever airport that her father, Woody Lesikar, developed into one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country with the oldest operating flight school in Houston, Texas. Shelly previously worked for Cessna Aircraft Company selling and demonstrating the piston aircraft line, as well as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, advocating and working alongside policy decision-makers supporting the general aviation industry across the southwest.

As an active pilot with over 5,000 hours of flight time and an advocate of aviation and airport safety and workforce development, she was appointed to the United States Department of Transportation Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee (SOCAC) in 2019. Currently, she is a board member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).

She earned her Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree from the University of Texas, her EMBA from Texas A&M University and her Doctorate in Aviation and Space Science. She volunteers and does research with the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board.

Shelly, her husband — also a pilot — and her twin daughters reside in Houston, Texas.

Brad Elstad is the vice president of corporate safety, security and compliance at Republic Airways. He is responsible for administrating the overall safety and compliance posture of Republic’s fleet of 233 Embraer 170/175 jets, the company’s Safety Management System (SMS) and voluntary safety programs. Brad is also responsible for Department of Transportation (DOT) reporting and customer relations at its Indianapolis corporate headquarters.

Prior to joining Republic, Brad served as the director of safety and regulatory compliance at American Airlines’ wholly owned subsidiary PSA Airlines, initially with the air carrier’s System Operations Control, and concluding as the designated Part 119 safety officer and air operator security coordinator (AOSC) responsible for the air carrier’s compliance and safety program development.

On the national level, Brad has represented the regional airline industry by serving as both Chair and Co-Chair for the Regional Airline Association’s Safety Council. He has also instructed graduate-level aviation safety coursework through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide campus.

Brad’s commitment to the aviation industry is reflected in his 28 years’ experience in various operational and safety leadership positions with several Part 121 air carriers, including Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines and Mokulele Airlines.

Brad holds a commercial, multi-engine pilot certificate, aircraft dispatcher and remote pilot certifications. He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University and his Master of Aeronautical Science (with Distinction) degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with concentrations in aviation management and aviation safety.

Mr. Elwell is president of Elwell & Associates, which provides aviation consulting and advocacy services. Prior to forming Elwell & Associates, he was deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. Before being appointed deputy administrator, Mr. Elwell was a senior advisor to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. During his tenure as deputy administrator, Elwell served as acting FAA administrator from January 2018 until August 2019. Prior to joining the FAA, Mr. Elwell was senior vice president for safety, security and operations at Airlines for America, and vice president of the Aerospace Industries Association.

Elwell was a commercial pilot for 16 years with American Airlines, flying DC-10, MD-80 and B-757/767 aircraft. Mr. Elwell earned his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He retired from military service as a Command Pilot with more than 6,000 hours combined civilian and military flight time, including combat service during Operation Desert Storm. He currently serves on several private and public boards, including Alaska Airlines Group and Asylon.

Lauren is aviation regulatory counsel for instant logistics leader Zipline. In this position, she works on aviation regulatory, safety and policy issues as Zipline continues to advance its global autonomous on-demand delivery system using UAS. Prior to joining Zipline, Lauren served as the general counsel and director of safety and regulatory affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). At GAMA, her work included representing the association’s members in issues related to safety and training, public policy, federal regulation, and state and federal litigation.

In 2018, she received the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Friend of Aviation Safety Award. She also served on the Women in Aviation Advisory Board, established under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to develop strategies and recommendations to encourage women to enter the field of aviation. A native of New Jersey, Lauren received her B.A. in biology and political science from Tufts University, and her J.D. and M.A. (philosophy, bioethics) from Duke University. Lauren clerked for the Honorable James A. Wynn, Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Prior to law school, she worked in clinical research. She is an active instrument-rated commercial pilot and lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her very patient partner (also a pilot).

Captain Hoskins is the vice president of safety, security and technical affairs for Airbus Americas, Inc. He leads a diverse team responsible for the facilitation, coordination, and execution of Airbus activities and interests in North, South, Central and Latin America related to safety, security (physical/product/cyber), regulation/airworthiness-certification standards/environmental/sustainability programs, quality program, human factors, crisis management and operational matters in the Americas.

Prior to joining Airbus in 2013, Craig was the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 119 Chief Safety Officer for JetBlue Airways that included flight, ground, cabin, occupational health, internal audit, FAA regulatory and environment. He also held the (FAR) Part 119 System Chief Pilot position that provided leadership for a Chief Pilot Team that encompassed five bases to support 2,000-plus pilots.

After a 20-year Coast Guard career that included helicopter aircrew, HC-130H Instructor Pilot and chief safety officer for the Coast Guard’s largest air station, Craig was a DC-9 First Officer and also was the technical operations human factors senior analyst at Northwest Airlines.

With 40 years of aviation experience, he is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Aviation Safety Officer Course, University of Southern California Aviation Safety Certificate Program and NASA-Ames Fatigue Countermeasures Course, and holds an Airline Transport Pilot License with type ratings in the A319/A320/A321 and L-382.  

He is a member of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) Executive Team, industry co-chair of the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) and NextGen Advisory Committee, and a member of the Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors.

Richard McSpadden is senior vice president of the AOPA Air Safety Institute (ASI). He currently leads a team of certified flight instructors and content creators who develop and distribute aviation safety material through a dedicated YouTube channel, webinars, iTunes podcasts, online courses and a dynamic website. ASI material is accessed 12 million times annually. Prior to joining AOPA, Mr. McSpadden had a successful career in the information technology industry, leading large, geographically dispersed operations providing business-critical IT services. He also served in the Air Force for 20 years, including the prestigious role of commander and flight leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team, where he led over 100 flight demonstrations flying the lead aircraft. Mr. McSpadden is a commercial pilot, CFII, MEI with SES, MES ratings and a 525S (Citation Jet Single Pilot) type rating. He has logged over 5,000 hours flying a variety of civilian and military aircraft. Additionally, he currently serves as the industry chair for the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee.

Mr. McVenes is the president and CEO of RTCA, a public-private partnership venue for developing consensus standards in the aviation industry. Previously, he spent a decade at The Boeing Company, where he served as director of system safety and regulatory affairs. He has a long history with aviation safety and standards, as he has served as a member and industry co-chair of the FAA Voluntary Aviation Safety Information Sharing (VASIS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee. He holds several type ratings and has logged over 17,000 flight hours in the past 30 years. He has been a board member of Flight Safety Foundation with the Board of Governors, and a board member of the SKYbrary Supervisory Board.

Captain Mills is the vice president of flight operations and safety at UPS. He is responsible for ensuring the safe operation of UPS’s fleet of 237 jets, the quality of its worldwide Safety Management System and regulatory compliance of all airline-related activities. Before accepting his current position, Capt. Mills served as UPS’s international chief pilot, where he was responsible for international flight crews and flight operation activity, and as the UPS director of flight training, where he was responsible for the all crew member training via the UPS Advance Qualification Program.

Prior to joining UPS, Capt. Mills served in the Marine Corps as an F/A-18 fighter pilot. He was an air combat tactics instructor, a Forward Air Controller during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, flew in Operations Restore Hope and Southern Watch, and has more than 100 aircraft carrier landings to his credit. He serves on the FAA Advanced Aviation Committee (Chair); Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors; Cargo Airline Association Board of Directors (Chair); RTCA Board of Advisors; IATA Safety, Flight and Ground Operations Advisory Council; and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professional Board of Advisors. He is also president of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky and an international qualified Captain on the Boeing 757/767.

Lacey Pittman is the vice president of Global Aerospace Safety Initiatives (GASI) at The Boeing Company. In this newly formed role, Pittman collaborates with Boeing and industry stakeholders, and leads an Integrated Product Team to improve aerospace safety through several key initiatives. 

These initiatives include partnering with airline customers to ensure delivery and operational readiness, improving training standards and harmonizing regulatory training guidance, maturing Global Engagement Pilot efforts, and working with Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Boeing Test & Evaluation to define horizons for future design of airplanes and airspace.

Pittman has more than 20 years of flight operational experience. Before joining Boeing, Pittman was responsible for Air Safety and Operations at Amazon Air, including the operations technology portfolio and leadership of the global network operations center. Prior to that, Pittman was managing director of System Operations Control and Safety at Horizon Air, leading the implementation of the airline’s Safety Management System.

Pittman began her aviation career as a pilot for AirServ International, working under contract with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide aid and relief to developing countries throughout West Africa. She later joined the organization’s Board of Directors. Currently, she is chair of the board of directors safety committee at Mission Aviation Fellowship, a not-for-profit global aviation organization.

Pittman maintains a type rating for the Q400 and has accumulated more than 3,500 hours of flying time. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity Western University and a master’s in Business Administration from Walden University.

Bobbi Wells is the vice president of safety, environmental and regulatory compliance at American Airlines, where she oversees American's safety strategy, regulatory compliance programs, and environmental sustainability program. Previously, she served as vice president of safety and airworthiness in air operations at FedEx Express, where she led the carrier's safety, airworthiness and regulatory compliance through safety risk management, analytics, auditing and culture development. Prior to FedEx Express, Ms. Wells served in the U.S. Army as a transportation and logistics officer for more than 10 years, where she supported 30,000 troops while based in Germany. Ms. Wells serves on the Board of Governors for the Flight Safety Foundation and the Department of Transportation's Women in Aviation Advisory Board, and as the president of the International Aviation Women's Association. She is also a member of the MITRE Aviation Advisory Committee and Airlines for America Safety Council.