Secretary General of the ICAO
Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar is the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).He was first appointed for a three‐year term starting August 2021.
His career in international civil aviation spans over 27 years in various advisory and leadership roles. Prior to his appointment as Secretary General, Mr. Salazar served as Director General of Aeronautica Civil of Colombia – Aerocivil.
For the twelve years previous to joining Aerocivil, Mr. Salazar was a Senior Advisor to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.
His professional experience also includes terms as the President of Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC), Secretary of the Colombian Civil Aviation Board and Director of its Air Transport Office, Director General of Air Transport at the Colombian Ministry of Transport, Corporate Secretary and Director of the Legal Department of Tampa Cargo (currently known as Avianca Cargo).
Mr. Salazar is a lawyer and has earned advanced degrees from Harvard University (Master in Public Administration ‐ MPA) and McGill University (Master in Air and Space Law ‐ LLM).
He is fluent in Spanish, English and French, and speaks basic Arabic.
U.S. Representative to the ICAO
Ambassador C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger was sworn in as U.S. Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on December 11, 2021, and assumed his duties in Montreal on February 2, 2022. Ambassador Sullenberger is a lifelong safety expert, speaker, and author, and brings his passion for safety in global air travel to this important diplomatic mission.
Ambassador Sullenberger has a long history of service. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. He advanced to become a flight leader and a training officer, attaining the rank of captain. During his active duty, he was stationed in North America and Europe. After serving in the Air Force, in February 1980 he became an airline pilot with Pacific Southwest Airlines, later acquired by US Airways, until his retirement from commercial flying in March 2010. He still flies privately.
The Ambassador was an active and ardent safety advocate throughout his four-decade-long career. He was selected to perform accident investigation duties for the United States Air Force, and served as an Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) representative during a National Transportation Safety Board accident investigation. Additionally, he served as a Local Air Safety Chairman for ALPA, and was a member of one of their national technical committees, where he contributed to the creation of a Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular. He was also instrumental in developing and implementing the Crew Resource Management course used by US Airways, and he taught the course to hundreds of other airline crewmembers.
Copa Airlines
Álvaro Pereira, for 21 years worked in the Bolivian flag line LLoyd Aéreo Boliviano (LAB), the first 5 years as a specialist technician in engines and line operation; he later served as a pilot for the Fokker F27 (Line Chief), Boeing B707, B727 (100-200), and the B737 Classic (Flight and Simulator instructor). While working as a mechanic at LAB, he also flew as a DC-3/C-47 pilot on a freight line.
Due to the bankruptcy of LAB, he joined Copa Airlines, being active for the last 16 years, performing the duties of Pilot in the Embraer E-190 (Flight and Simulator Instructor, Fleet Specialist, Technical Pilot) and in the Boeing 737 NG / MAX as line pilot; also as an Accident/Incident investigator.
He currently works as Flight Safety Coordinator in the Vice Presidency of Operational Safety and Quality Assurance.
FAA Acting Administrator
Billy Nolen was appointed acting FAA Administrator in April 2022. Previously, Nolen served as FAA’s Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety (AVS). The Aviation Safety Organization’s programs are carried out by 7,400 employees located in Washington Headquarters, regional and directorate offices, and 125 field offices throughout the world. The AVS safety purview covers over one million registered aircraft, over one thousand approved manufacturers, over one million active pilots, and over 50,000 flights every day.
Billy has over 33 years of experience in operations and corporate safety, regulatory affairs and flight operations. He started his career as a 767, 757 and MD-80 pilot with American Airlines. His passion for operations and safety led to the role of Manager of the Pilot Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). He then became Manager of Flight Safety with responsibility for Accident/Incident Investigations, Flight Operational Quality Assurance, Line Operations Safety Audits, and oversight of the Pilot and Maintenance ASAPs.
After American Airlines, Billy served as Senior Vice President of Safety, Security and Operations with Airlines for America, where he collaborated with leaders across the airline industry, government and other key stakeholders to enhance safety and operational performance.
He subsequently served as Executive Manager of Group Safety & Health for the Qantas Group. In that capacity, Billy played a key role in the Qantas Group Safety Governance Framework and was responsible for providing assurance and advice to the Qantas Board, principally the Corporate Health, Environmental, Safety & Security Committee, the Group CEO, the Qantas Group Management Committee, and Qantas’ executive management.
Billy came to FAA from his position as Vice President of Safety, Security and Quality at WestJet in Calgary, Alberta. Reporting to the CEO, Billy had responsibility for overseeing safety, security and quality across WestJet, Encore and Swoop, 14,700 WestJet employees, and the millions of passengers flying on WestJet aircraft each year.
Billy is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he earned a BS degree in Aviation Management, and has certificates in aviation safety from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, U.S. Army Safety Center, and the University of Southern California. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and has travelled extensively across the globe.
United Airlines
Captain Bryan Lesko serves as the chair of the Aircraft Design and Operations Group for the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA-I), where he assists in developing engineering, design, and operational policy for the Association.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation from Mountain State University, and a Master’s Degree in Aviation Safety, from the Florida Institute of Technology.
With over 12,000 flying hours, he is currently a line Captain on the B-737 for United Airlines. Captain Lesko has a diverse background in aviation. He worked as a flight instructor, founded a private flight instruction company, and started up a Part 91 flight department managing many aspects of daily flight operations.
Captain Lesko has also represented ALPA as a member on numerous government and industry groups. These include the Master Minimum Equipment List working group, FAA ARAC Bird Ingestion working group, and the Ice Crystal Ingestion working group. Captain Lesko served on the Aviation Rulemaking Committee for new engine entrant standards following the US Airways 1549 Hudson River accident. Captain Lesko is also the ALPA-I representative to the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations’ Aircraft Design and Operations Group
Captain Lesko has presented at the International Snow Symposium in 2017 and 2018 and at ALPA’s annual Air Safety Week. Additionally, he has spoken at the Flight Safety Foundation, IASS Dublin, October 2017, with a topic of: Electronic Flight Bags, Friend or Foe? He also authored papers on flight crew automation; safety culture in SMS programs; fatigue, duty, and cabin altitude; and just culture and safety reporting within corporate aviation.
Captain Lesko holds FAA Pilot In Command type ratings in the CRJ, A-320, B737, B757, B767, B777 and the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 aircraft and resides in Charlotte North Carolina with his family.
Delta Air Lines
Chris Collins is the Director of Flight Safety at Delta Air Lines, where he coordinates a team of safety professionals that oversee employee safety reporting (ASAP), flight data monitoring (FOQA), operational safety investigations (accidents/incidents), safety management system (SMS), pilot safety applications, and analytics through a data and decision science team. He also participates as a member of the IATA Safety Group and the Flight Safety Foundation International Advisory Committee. Previously Chris was the Chief Pilot of Flight Operations Safety Programs which included the opportunity to work in fatigue risk management (FRM), safety risk assessment and management, and the pilot safety reporting program.
Chris is an Airbus A320 Captain with over 20 years of professional flight experience. Since joining Delta as a line pilot in 2007, he has held numerous leadership positions in the chief pilot’s office, flight standards, fatigue management, and served as strategic manager supporting the Vice Presidents of Flight Operations. Chris is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s Aviation Program, and before joining Delta, spent time instructing undergraduate aviation students in flight, meteorology, and aviation law.
Chris lives with his family in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and can be contacted at christopher.collins@delta.com.
American Airlines
Captain Chris Moran began his career as a pilot with American Airlines in 1992. He is presently serving as the Manager of Flight ASAP.
Additionally, he serves as AA’s Party Coordinator for Major Accident Investigations with the NTSB or international investigative authorities via ICAO Annex 13.
Prior to American, Chris flew transports in the US Air Force and worked in various Flight Safety Officer positions during his 28-year career with the USAF and Reserves.
Chris has investigated multiple NTSB incidents and accidents, including the B-757 CFIT in Cali, Columbia as well as the B-767 uncontained engine failure, fire and hull loss in ORD.
He holds a Master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has flown the 727, 737, 757, 767, and S80 aircraft based in LGA, MIA, and DFW.
Chris helped develop and launch American’s continuous LOSA program which has since become the industry’s gold standard.
Gol Airlines
Danilo Andrade joined GOL Airlines in 2004. He is a Captain since 2011, currently flying 737NG and MAX. In 2019, Danilo became Director for SMS & Security, being responsible for the Safety, Quality Assurance, Security, Safety Promotion and Emergency Response areas.
Danilo is a Certified Air Safety Investigator and holds bachelor´s degrees in Aeronautical Sciences and in Social Communication, a MBA in Business Administration, a Specialization in Safety & Continuous Airworthiness and an Aviation Management Certificate.
Boeing
Offering more than 35 years of experience in aviation, aeronautics, and aircraft education, operations, safety, and standards, Captain David “Sam” Goodwill is a globally renowned pilot, instructor, and subject matter expert.
Following a 20+-year career as an international transport/special operations pilot and staff officer with the United States Air Force (USAF), Sam transitioned to Boeing in 2005, transferring his leadership efficacy to executive aviation training roles including his current position as the Senior Safety Pilot for Boeing Flight Technical & Safety.
As a pilot, staff officer, special project commander, and program director in the USAF, Sam was critical to the successful completion of special assignments with the Military Aircraft Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, and HQ USAF (Pentagon). His service and training offered him Top Secret security clearance (current), special operations combat pilot experience, and mission-qualified training development. As a result of his remarkable service, including 9,756 hours of total flight time, Sam received numerous military honors and awards, including Air Mobility Command Military Deception Officer of the Year and 53 Military Airlift Squadron Officer of the Year. As the Senior Safety Pilot for Boeing Flight Technical & Safety, Sam represents Boeing globally, providing subject matter expertise in flight operations, safety leadership, and technical support. He serves as an on-scene accident investigator, representing the reputable aircraft manufacturer with regulatory agencies worldwide. His technical excellence is matched only by his extraordinary ability to build high-performing teams and his diligent drive to foster cooperation between industry stakeholders.
Under his leadership, his team was recognized as Boeing Commercial Airplane Functional Engineering Team of the Year in 2012. Sam earned his Master of Science in Aeronautical Science, with distinction, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science and Human Factors Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy. His list of certifications, specialized trainings, and aircraft ratings is extensive and a testament to his dedication to continuous improvement, including serving as a Fellow in the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS), the highest grade attainable for those in the profession of aeronautics or aerospace.
Sam’s breadth and depth of subject matter expertise expand widely across the industry. An international speaker and influencer, he offers unique insights, instruction, and inspiration as a result of his global leadership.
Highly accomplished, Sam’s global flight safety and training versatility stretch from remotely piloted systems to international commercial airline operations. With both military and civilian leadership, Sam is equipped to communicate, motivate, and inspire others toward a commitment to operational excellence, global aviation partnerships, complex safety management system program development, and mission-critical project management.
EANA
Diego Gamboa is actually flying as a 737 NG/MAX Captain with more than 22 years of experience in civil aviation, either cargo, executive and commercial airplanes. Moreover, he worked at the Training Department for the main airline in Argentina for several years, also as Type Rated Instructor & Type Rated Examiner.
Apart from that, he has been participating at ICAO SAM PANS-OPS group for the last 4 years, and he is actually coordinating one of the group related to PBN Implementation and utilization.
Also he is actually participating in the PBN Working Group, which is one of the Operating Working Group at CANSO. He was recently designated as Co-Chair of the group.
Finally, at EANA S.E., the ANSP of Argentina, he was in charge of the Airspace Design Department, and currently he is the Planning Manager.
ATR
Aeronautical engineer (graduated from Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile in 1996) Géraud has started his career as an autopilot specialist in Airbus and has then worked over 13 years as an incident/accident and flight operations analyst in France, before being sent to India as a Flight Analyst instructor in order to setup a team of analysts.
He has joined ATR in October 2015 as the Regional Flight Safety Director thus coordinates ATR’s flight safety initiatives worldwide. The main driver being the prevention, these initiatives include dedicated training to operators, promotion of Flight Data Monitoring within ATR operators, promotion of Performance Based Navigation as well as participation to international working groups. Géraud is member of RASG-PA Executive Steering Committee.
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Captain Ignacio Crowder joined Aerolíneas Argentinas as a pilot in 1994, serving as first officer in the CN-235, DC-9-30, B-737-200 and MD-88 fleets.
In 2004 he was promoted to Captain, flying B-737-200, MD-88 and E-190. He has held positions as an instructor, instructional coordinator, and instructional manager.
He is currently part of the Operational Safety Management, in charge of the Head of Human Resources and Airport Operational Safety.
ICAO
Javier Puente is currently the Safety Implementation Officer for the ICAO South American Regional Office. He has previously held other positions at national, international, public and private organizations in the aviation sector. Javier holds Master’s degree in Business Administration, a post-graduate degree in Higher Education. He holds a Layer degree, and a Commercial & IFR Pilot Certificates. He serves on multiple ICAO panels and working groups. His background includes over 20 years of experience working with States, airlines and other aviation-related Organization in various levels in Flight Safety, Safety Management, Data Analysis and visualization, Accident Investigation and development and provision of Training. |
CANSO
Responsible for CANSO’s initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr Vanegas represents the interests of CANSO and its Members to promote and facilitate the development of ATM in the region. He also represents CANSO and the ATM industry across the region with governmental and industry bodies. Before joining CANSO, Mr Vanegas spent five years at Enaire’s Air Navigation International Development Department, responsible of managing the financial/economic environment of projects such as SESAR, EGNOS and other project participated by Enaire at an international level. Mr Vanegas also worked in EADS-CASA (currently Airbus Military) in Madrid, Spain; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFK Int. Airport operations units and the Port Authority of NY and NJ HQs at the Customer Services and Standards Aviation Department; the Lee County Port Authority, South West Florida International Airport at the Customer Service and Standards unit. Mr Vanegas holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Aviation Administration from State University of New York Farmingdale, New York, USA and a Master Degree in Airport Systems from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Aeronautical Engineering School.
ANAC
João S. D. Garcia is currently the Head of the Department of Flight Standards for the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). He has previously held other positions within the Agency and the aerospace industry. João holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) as well as a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering from Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Garcia currently serves as the Brazilian member at ICAO’s Safety Management Panel, as well as the Panel’s vice‐chair. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
John R. Watret, Ph.D., FRAeS is a dedicated leader and champion for education. As the Chancellor of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Watret provides strategic direction that fosters growth, maintains academic integrity, and promotes efficient operations for the Worldwide Headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the over 130 campus locations worldwide.
Under his leadership, the Worldwide campus, which serves more than 23,000 students annually, has experienced an increase in accredited programs, an expansion of highly qualified faculty and staff, and the introduction of research initiatives all of which help to advance the university’s relationships throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Since 2013, Embry-Riddle Worldwide has secured the top 5 rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list for best Online Bachelor’s Programs, including being named No. 1.
Watret is active with organizations both nationally and internationally, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Asia, Ltd. in Singapore; as an elected member for the Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors; and as a board member for the Aerospace Alliance, Inc. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS) and has been a featured speaker and panelist at several national and international conferences.
During his 26-year tenure with the University, Watret has served in several senior-level administration roles. He is also a tenured Professor of Mathematics.
A licensed private pilot, he holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Mathematics, both from Texas A&M University, and a bachelor’s degree with honors from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.
IATA
Capt. José Ruiz Llorente was born in Madrid, Spain, and has over 30 years of aeronautical experience. He is an Iberia Airlines Captain and Line Check Pilot. Also, Flight, Sim and Ground Instructor, and EBT certified Instructor. José holds both FAA and EASA ATPL, Instructor licenses and ratings, having flown also as Captain for TWE in the USA, JFK International based. Ha also has a Master’s degree on Airlines and Airports Management by the University San Pablo CEU in Madrid, Spain. Currently, José is the Director of Operations, Safety and Security for Las Americas Region / International Air Transport Association (IATA). |
AeroMexico Group
Capt. Juan Carlos Gonzalez Curzio, for 37 years, served as AeroMexico Pilot, flying experience 24 000 flight hours, currently B787 Captain, TRI/TRE on B787 type. USC graduated on Aviation Safety and Accident Investigation. Former AM Flight Standards and Human Factors Coordinator.
Currently SVP of Safety for Grupo AeroMexico (AMX and AMC operators), Chairman for SkyTeam SSQ (Safety, Security and Quality) Group.
ANAC
Appointed for the Board of Directors in April 2016, Juliano Noman is the current President-Director of ANAC, with a term until March 2025. He is ANAC career servant, Specialist in Civil Aviation Regulation, and was Secretary of Civil Air Navigation (2013-2016) and of Airports (2011-2013) at the Civil Aviation Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic (SAC-PR). At ANAC, he was Head of the Economic Regulation and Market Monitoring Department (2008-2011), Market Monitoring Manager and Special Advisor to the Air Services Department (2006 to 2008). Graduated in Economics (UnB), he holds a Masters in Air Navigation Management from the Ecole Nationale de I’Aviation Civile (ENAC), and a Graduate Degree in Airport Infrastructure Management from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). |
ICAO
Mr. Julio Siu has over 25 years of experience in Aeronautical Telecommunications, Project Management, senior business administration and financial matters. Mr. Siu covered several senior management and leadership posts in the Central American Air Navigation Services Corporation (COCESNA), such as Regional Manager of Honduras and he was the Regional Officer, Communications, Navigation and Surveillance for the ICAO NACC Regional Office as well as an auditor and Team Leader for the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). Since 2016, Mr. Siu is the Deputy Regional Director of the ICAO NACC Regional Office, where he is responsible of the Regional Office management; he serves as Technical Team Leader and assists the Regional Director in leading the organization´s vision and mission in support of 22 ICAO Contracting States and 19 Territories.
Psychologist
Laura Antunes has been a Clinical Psychologist for 27 years, being 21 years in the area of civil aviation. Qualified in Continuing Safety of Aviation and Airworthiness by the “Instituto Tecnológico da Aeronáutica (ITA)”, she is also a CRM Facilitator by ANAC. At CENIPA, she graduated as an Aeronautical Accident Investigator in the Human Factor Area.
A member of the Nucleus for Psychological Interventions in Emergencies and Disasters (NIPED), she is also qualified in Disaster Risk Reduction by the “International Development Center” of the International Labor Organization (UN), in Italy, and a specialist in Comprehensive Risk Management and Disasters.
In the teaching area, Laura is instructor for stewards’ preparation and has given lectures on Death, Mourning, Emergencies and Disasters to members of the “São Paulo Metropolitan Civil Guard” and at the Universities “Anhembi Morumbi” and “São Judas”. She is a professor at the Department of Psychology at “Escolas Universitárias Integradas Campos Salles” and co-author of the book “A Psicologia em Acidentes e Desastres Aéreos”.
Latam Airlines Group
MD Lia de Melo Ribeiro is a postgraduate doctor in gynecology and obstetrics, occupational medicine, aeronautical medicine, and business management and sustainability.
She worked for 5 years as a clinical researcher at ISBEM (“Instituto Brasileiro de Bem Estar e Saúde da Mulher”).
As a physician on the clinical staff of “Hospital Sírio Libanes”, she is the author of the aerospace medicine chapter of the book “Checkup na Prática Médica”.
She is a professor of the postgraduate course in Aerospace Medicine at the “Estácio de Sá University”.
She is currently the Corporate Health Manager of Grupo Santa Joana and the Head of Aerospace Medical Health for Latam Airlines Group. At Latam Airlines, she has been working for about 15 years and was responsible for the creation, implementation and development of important programs in the area of flight safety, such as the psychoactive substance use prevention program and the mental health program for pilots.
FAA (ACG)
Ms. Luci Holemans has over 31 years of experience in the federal government, 25 of which have been at the FAA in various positions. Ms. Holemans started her career with the Navy testing GPS receivers for military aircraft. After transferring to the FAA, she worked on the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) program from the beginning of its acquisition cycle though its transition/implementation. As part of FTI, Ms. Holemans became heavily involved in the security requirements and testing at a time when cybersecurity was at its infancy from an agency perspective. After FTI, Ms. Holemans led her team in the development of ICAO telecommunications standards and in the coordination and implementation of telecommunications services. Ms. Holemans has worked with the international ICAO community on the Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS) modernization program and the integration of X.25, IPv4, and IPv6. She also directed and led multiple international projects.
In 2014, Ms. Holemans became the Cybersecurity Strategic Team Lead in the Air Traffic Organization’s (ATO’s) Technical Operations directorate, gaining expertise in critical infrastructure, NIST, and executive orders on cybersecurity. In 2016, she received her Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity. In 2016, the ATO made the decision to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the National Airspace System by consolidating and integrating ATO Information Security Systems functions into a single accountable organization with multiple responsibilities. |
LATAM Airlines Group
Marcelo Marcusso is an A32F Captain and has extensive management experience in the Flight Safety and Flight Operations areas.
His background in aviation safety includes the qualification as an Aircraft Accident Investigator by CENIPA, Safety Management System (SMS) for airlines by the University of Southern California, Operational Risk Management by IATA, and specialization in Flight Safety and Continuing Airworthiness by the Instituto Tecnológico da Aeronáutica (ITA).
FAA
Nicholas Reyes is the FAA Director, Western Hemisphere, Office of International Affairs (API) with base in Panama City, Panama. As the Director, Western Hemisphere Office, he is responsible for promoting U.S. interests and advancing civil aviation safety, security and efficiency. He plays a lead role in the development of international aviation policy and serves as the chief advocate for the U.S. aviation interests in the region. Mr. Reyes works directly with top U.S. and foreign civil aviation officials and serves as the agency’s chief spokesperson at major international aviation forums to articulate and advance FAA policy. Mr. Reyes served as the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Acting Deputy Director, Office of Safety Standards, Deputy Director, Office of Foundational Business and Division Manager of both Southwest and Western-Pacific Regions in the Flight Standards Service. In this role, he managed more than 1100 employees. Previously, he served as Manager of the Southwest Certificate Management office and the Dallas Fort-Worth International Field office. Mr. Reyes is a former U.S. Airways and American Eagle airline pilot. He served in the military as a Flight Examiner/Pilot with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard and the Texas Army National Guard.
Embraer
Patrice London has been working, as a performance Engineer, at Embraer since 2001. He was responsible for Stall Certification of E-Jets and in 2005/2006 he was the Technical Aeronautical Leader of E195. He was Aeronautical Engineer Supervisor in 2007/2009 and was member of the Performance Group at NTSB in the E170 overrun (Cleveland) investigation. He was Aeronautical Engineer Manager in 2010/2012 and was the Leader of the E175 Enhanced Aircraft.
Since 2013, he has been working at Technology Development and, since 2014, he is the Technical Leader of the Project E2TS (Embraer Enhanced Takeoff System). He is a co-author of some Patents related to Aircraft Automation and Performance.
Also, he has been working, since 2018, in a Doctorate Thesis at ITA (Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica), regarding the same subject (“Smart Automation: to Optimize Aircraft Performance and Improve Flight Safety”).
Latam Airlines Group
Capt. Rastrello is the Director of Safety at LATAM Airlines Group, and extensively experienced airplane pilot, Captain and instructor A320 Family, including experience in the A330 and Fokker 100 fleet. Master in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica – ITA. Post-graduated in Aviation Safety and Continuing Airworthiness, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica – ITA. Bachelor’s in Civil Aviation, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, and graduated in Civil Engineering at “Escola de Engenharia Mauá”. Accident Investigator, CENIPA. He is also the Chairman of Regional Coordinating Group – Latin America and Caribbean (LATAM/CAR RCG -IATA), Chairperson of ALTA-IATA Safety Team, responsible for exchanging best practices between operators and authorities to improve safety ratings in the region, and extensively experienced Professor at Anhembi Morumbi University (graduation and post-graduation). |
ABEAR
Raul Souza, for 30 years, served as an officer in the Brazilian Air Force, having reached the rank of Lt.Colonel. In the Air Force, he developed functions such as Flight Instructor of the Brazilian Air Force Academy, Operational Pilot of the Transport Aviation, Air-to-Air Refueling Pilot, Operational Pilot in Missions to Antarctica, Search and Rescue (SAR) Pilot, Pilot of the Special Transport Group (Brazilian Authorities Group), Senior Investigator of Aeronautical Accidents for the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) and took the Master’s Degree Course in Aeronautical Engineering.
In the corporate world, he was Flight Data Analysis Manager in Latam Airlines (Chile).
He is currently Technical Advisor at the Brazilian Airlines Association (ABEAR).
TROPIC AIR
Ravei Nunez, served as an officer in the Belize Defence Force, attaining the rank of Captain. While in the military, Ravei served as Flight Training Captain, Flight Instructor (Jamaica Military Aviation School) and Acting Commanding Officer Belize Defence Force Air Wing.
After leaving the Military Captain Nunez served as Tropic Air’s Chief Training Captain, Deputy Director of Operations and is currently serving in the capacity of Director of Operations.
Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras
Capt. Renan Frota joined Azul at the Startup of the company as a First Officer.
During these last 14 years, the Startup became “The Best Airline in the World” and Captain Frota passed through different positions during this time.
After the creation of a forerunner position in the industry as Head of Safety Data, he became the Safety Management System Manager for Azul.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Robert L. Sumwalt joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in January 2022 as Distinguished Fellow in Aviation Safety, and Executive Director of the Embry-Riddle Center for Aviation and Aerospace safety.
Previously, Sumwalt served as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), where he served from August 2006 to June 2021, after being appointed by Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trump.
While serving on the NTSB, Sumwalt was involved in the deliberation and determination of probable cause for over 250 transportation accidents, across all modes of transportation – pipeline, rail, aviation, hazardous materials, highway, and marine.
Sumwalt was a pilot for 32 years, including 24 years with a major US-based international airline. He has co-authored a book on aircraft accidents and has published more than 100 articles on transportation safety and aircraft accident investigation.
Sumwalt earned an undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Aeronautical Science (with Distinction) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with concentrations in aviation/aerospace safety systems and human factors aviation systems. He is a proud recipient of honorary doctorates from Embry-Riddle and the University of South Carolina.
In recognition of his contributions to the aviation industry, in September 2021, Sumwalt was awarded the Flight Safety Foundation – Boeing Aviation Safety Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the Flight Safety Foundation’s Laura Taber Barbour Award in 2003 and ALPA’s Air Safety Award in 2005. He is an inductee into the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame.
ANAC
Roberto J. S. Honorato started his carrier in aviation in 1998.
Since 2008, has been working for ANAC, the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency, currently as Head of the Airworthiness Department.
He holds degrees in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering from Pontifical Catholic University de Minas Gerais and postgraduate studies in Civil Aviation Management by the University of Brasilia.
Before joining ANAC, he worked for ten years with avionics, maintenance and supplemental type certification.
The Brazilian aircraft registry, international agreements on airworthiness, aircraft certification and production approvals are under his responsibilities.
Airbus
Rudy Quevedo currently serves as the Regional Safety Director for Airbus in the Americas Region. He previously held key positions in aviation safety including Director of Safety at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Director of Global Programs at Flight Safety Foundation. He has served on ICAO panels and working groups in various regions supporting the enhancement of safety. His background includes over 40 years of experience working with airlines in various levels in Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Flight Safety. |
RIMA
Capt. Salomão D. Ensslin is currently the head of RIMA’s Safety Department, an airline that operates under part 135, with the major operations on the Brazilian North macroregion, specifically at the Amazon Rainforest. He has worked as a flight instructor and safety assistant within other institutions.
Salomão holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS), as well as a postgraduate degree in People Management, with a focus in Leadership, at the same university.
He is currently a member of Brazilian General Aviation Safety Team (BGAST) and also a member of Safety Human Factors Committee (SAF) at the Brazilian Aeronauts National Labor Union (SNA).
AIRBUS
Santiago Saltos is the Regional Safety Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at Airbus. Santiago has been part of Airbus since June 2019 where he assists and coordinates different safety initiatives that impact Airbus customers and collaborates with other industry stakeholders to improve the safety record of the region. Before that, he served as Head of Tech Ops and Safety for the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA, by its Spanish acronym) from 2006 to 2019. At ALTA, Santiago developed solid skills addressing the different issues affecting the airline industry in the region, from Maintenance & Engineering, Industry Affairs, and Aviation Safety. He is an active member of the ICAO Regional Aviation Safety Group – Pan America (RASG-PA) where he’s currently the Co-Chairman for the Regional Aviation Safety Team (PA-RAST) in representation of the Industry. He is the former Chairman of the ALTA Pan-American Safety Summit, a position he held from 2011 to 2018. He’s also a Board Member and one of the founders of ICARO Aviator’s Club in South Florida. Santiago comes from a family of aviators where he has been involved from a young age in his country of origin, Ecuador. He holds a Private Pilot certificate, a Bachelors in Business Administration focused on Airline Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and he holds a Masters in Travel and Tourism from Florida International University (FIU). In 2017 he became a Certified Professional Coach from the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC). |
SAAB
Sergio Martins is a Brazilian Graduated Engineer, with MBA in Business Administration, Marketing, Branding and Foreign Trade.
Sergio started his career at the air transport industry in the early 80s, working as Air Traffic Controller, Flight Dispatcher and Flight Operations Engineer. In the mid-90s, Sergio switched over to the commercial arena, serving the most relevant multinational suppliers of airport and air traffic management solutions, over the last 25 years, including its own data link training & consultancy company – LinkSMART (2008 to 2011), with services provided worldwide.
Throughout the last three decades, Sergio has built solid expertise in different areas, as air traffic management, air/ground datalink communications and CDM (Collaborative Decision Making).
Fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish, working out of Saab´s Rio de Janeiro office, Sergio holds sales responsibility for company´s air traffic management portfolio, in Latin America and the Caribbean, being a member of CANSO´s ATFM/A-CDM Working Group.
Flight Safety Foundation
Sophie Ghezai is currently the Program Director at Flight Safety Foundation. In her role she is responsible for development of safety initiatives and conference events to further the Foundations objectives.
Previously Sophie worked with Airlines for America (A4A) as the Director of Aviation Safety and Operation overseeing member airlines’ safety activities including the Flight Safety, Cabin Operations and Ground Operations, to promote safety best practices and support the implementation of safety initiatives.
Sophie began her commercial pilot career at Ethiopian Airlines, followed by Atlantic Coast Airlines and Independence Air (FLYi) in the United States. She has flown the DHC-6, Jetstream 41, CRJ-200 B-707, and B-737 (200)
She obtained her Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, specializing in Aviation Aerospace Management and Aviation Aerospace Safety Systems.
Sophie is a member of Women in Aviation International (WIA), Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), African Section 99s as well as a Board member for the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA), serving as the Vice President of Events.
FAA
Dr. Susan A. Northrup is the Federal Air Surgeon for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. In this capacity, she leads the Office of Aerospace Medicine in Washington, D.C. She leads strategic management of the FAA’s aviation medical programs, which oversee all pilots. She is responsible for the direction and management of all FAA medical programs.
This includes the development and establishment of airman medical certification, the air traffic control specialist medical qualification policy, the application of that policy in medical decision making, the medical appeals process, and the oversight of aviation industry drug and alcohol testing programs. Dr. Northrup oversees the FAA’s aeromedical education programs, the planning and conduct of aerospace medical and human factors research, and the investigation of aircraft accident medical factors.
A private pilot, Dr. Northrup is a retired U.S. Force colonel. She is board certified in aerospace medicine and in occupational medicine. She is an acknowledged expert in aviation. She has authored several scientific papers on accident investigation, the use of sleep aids by pilots, cabin air quality, and bioterrorism. While serving in the Air Force, she was the U.S. Head of Delegation to NATO’s aeromedical working group.
Dr. Northrup has experience as a senior FAA aviation medical examiner. In 1985, Dr. Northrup earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with Honors in Liberal Arts from The Ohio State University. She earned a medical degree, also from Ohio State, in 1989. She was awarded a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas in 1994.
Dr. Northrup is a past President of the American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists and the Civil Aviation Medical Association. She also was vice-president for the Aerospace Medicine Association. Dr. Northrup spent nine years (2007-2016) as a trustee for the American Board of Preventive Medicine. She is on the adjunct faculty for the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine and is a Fellow of the Aerospace Medicine Association.
CENIPA
Vanessa Vieira Dias Kfouri, for 9 years, served as an officer in the Brazilian Air Force. She has courses in the areas of Accident Prevention – Human Factor, Training for CRM, Inspection in Civil Aviation and Safety Management System. Also, extension course in Psychology applied to Aviation with a focus on post-accident psychological support.
She got specializations internationally through the Human Factors in Flight Safety courses at the University of Southern California and the Critical Incident Management course at the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.
She is currently Technical Advisor in the Human Factors area at CENIPA, where she works as an investigator of aeronautical accidents and incidents.
