Join us for our Conversations with Colleagues session: Conversation with FAA SW Region Grant and Regulatory Agencies. During our session, the panel of state directors will discuss various topics such as status of grants, particularly IIJA funding, grant assurances and compliance, importance of planning projects for CIP development, types of planning projects, etc. Don’t miss out on great networking opportunities and industry speakers that will help you grow and improve yourself and your airport!

Speakers

Grayson Ardies
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission

The Commission is a state agency in charge of promoting aviation and aerospace across the state, including the 108 public airports that comprise Oklahoma’s air transportation system. Ardies’ emphasis is on promoting the aerospace industry, the state’s second largest industry; planning and development of the state’s air transportation system; and encouraging public-private partnerships to enhance the aerospace industry and support workforce development. Director Ardies graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Aviation Management with minors in Business Administration and Air Traffic Control. As part of his education through the aviation program, he also received a commercial pilot’s license with single and multi-engine instrument ratings and is a certified flight instructor.

Brad Brandt
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

He is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aviation Management and a Master’s Degree in Aeronautics. Additionally, he has earned an Aviation Law Diploma from the International Air Transport Association. Brad began his aviation career in Airport Operations at the Denver International Airport. In 1998, he relocated to Louisiana with the W.D. Schock Company where he became a Program Manager in the Noise Mitigation Program for the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. He joined the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s  Aviation Division in 2001. Currently, he serves the aviation community in Louisiana as the Aviation Director for DOTD. He serves with a staff of 11 administering a $1.3 Million Operations Budget and a $28.5 Million Capital Outlay Budget. Brad served as a member of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), where he held numerous positions with the organization as a Regional Director for the Southwest Region, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Chairman of the NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education. Brad also served as Chairman of the NASAO Board of Directors 2017. He is also appointed and serves as chairman of the Louisiana Drone Advisory Committee

Jim Halley
Texas Department of Transportation - Aviation Division

Jim has been the Airport Planning and Programming Director for TxDOT Aviation since May of 2020. In this role he leads a team of outstanding aviation professionals responsible for the development of TxDOT Aviation’s Capital Improvement Program, airport coordination, project development, environmental reviews, land acquisition, and planning studies oversight. Prior to joining TxDOT, Jim was the Statewide Planning Coordinator with Florida DOT’s Office of Policy Planning where he was involved in the update to the Florida Transportation Plan as well as statewide public and partner involvement and outreach. Jim also led Policy Planning’s Automated, Connected, Electric, and Shared Vehicles efforts. Prior to joining Policy Planning, Jim was with FDOT’s Aviation and Spaceports Office where he managed FDOT’s public-use airport system program, the Continuing Florida Aviation System Planning Process, and FDOT’s airport sustainability efforts. Jim previously worked in airport operations at Palm Beach County and Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport and as an airport planner with Talbert & Bright and the Lee County Port Authority. Jim spent 8 years as a U.S. Marine special operations team leader and artillery officer. He received his B.S. in Aviation Management from Florida Tech and his M.B.A. in Aviation from Embry Riddle. He has 13 years of experience in airport operations, planning, development, and management. Jim is an Accredited Airport Executive and Airport Certified Employee, both through the American Association of Airport Executives, a licensed skydiver through the U.S. Parachute Association, and was named to Airport Business Magazine’s “Top 40 under 40 Aviation Professionals” in 2017.

Jane Lucero
New Mexico Department of Transportation

Mrs. Jane Lucero, AICP, A.A.E., is the Planning and Programming Manager for the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division.  Mrs. Lucero has served the NMDOT Aviation Division in many capacities throughout her career including as Acting Director and Airport Development Administrator.  Prior to joining the Division, Mrs. Lucero served as Associate Director of Operations and Planning at the Albuquerque International Sunport. Mrs. Lucero holds a BSET from New Mexico State University and a MCRP from the University of New Mexico.  She is a Certified Planner (AICP) through the American Planning Association and is an Accredited Executive (A.A.E.) with the American Association of Airport Executives.

Stacy Swigart
Regional Financial Programs Manager, FAA's Southwest Region Airports Division