Conference Programme Speakers
Mike Corcoran
Director Network Planning, Avelo Airlines
Mike Corcoran has served as Avelo Airlines’ Director of Network Planning since September 2024. In this role, he oversees the airline’s commercial planning with a focus on route development, revenue forecasting, and schedule optimization.
Before joining Avelo, Mike held leadership positions in revenue management, network/enterprise planning, and operations design at Frontier Airlines and JetBlue. A lifelong AvGeek, he is passionate about advancing the field of aviation and continues to contribute his experience to innovative airline growth strategies. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Aeronautics (Air Traffic Control) and Economics from the University of North Dakota.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Kristen Schilling-Gonzales
VP, Planning & Revenue, Allegiant
Kristen Schilling-Gonzales is Vice President of Planning & Revenue at Allegiant, where she leads the airline’s network strategy, scheduling, and revenue optimization efforts. Kristen works closely with internal teams and airport partners to identify new route opportunities, improve operational reliability, and support long-term growth. Since joining Allegiant in 2012, she has held multiple leadership roles and played a key part in expanding the airline’s footprint across 123 U.S. airports.
A recent highlight of Kristen’s work includes Allegiant’s successful launch of service at Gulf Shores International Airport, where she partnered with Jesse Fosnaugh and teams across Allegiant to bring the project to life. This effort reflects Allegiant’s broader strategy of entering underserved leisure markets through thoughtful planning, close coordination with local stakeholders, and a commitment to building sustainable, profitable service that aligns with customer demand. Kristen continues to guide similar initiatives, balancing airport capabilities, operational needs, and long-term financial performance to support Allegiant’s growth.
Participating Talks and Sessions
John Parker
Director Capacity Planning, Southwest Airlines
John’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the near and mid-term capacity plans for Southwest Airlines, working closely with the schedule production process, from the development of routes through schedule creation and publication. Along with internal stakeholders, John’s team works with Air Service Development and Community partners to ensure Southwest markets are successful.
John began his career as an Auditor and CPA in public accounting. In 2011, John joined the Southwest Airlines family, spending two years with the Finance Department. During the past twelve years in Network Planning, John has worked with the Network Strategy and Capacity Planning teams, helping launch Hawaii and initiating service to new stations.
Participating Talks and Sessions
John E. Dailey
Mayor, City of Tallahassee
Participating Talks and Sessions
David J. Pollard, C.M.
Director of Aviation, Tallahassee International Airport
David J. Pollard, C.M., was appointed as Director of Aviation at the Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) on June 15, 2019, following a longstanding tenure marked by significant accomplishments in aviation for the Tallahassee market area. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Pollard served in various capacities such as the Deputy Director of Aviation, Superintendent of Airport Operations and Airport Operations Coordinator at TLH. In his role as Director of Aviation, Mr. Pollard provides general oversight over administration, airport operations, air service development, strategic planning, budget development, funding procurement and external affairs. Mr. Pollard has 33 years of combined experience at the Daytona Beach International Airport and the Tallahassee International Airport.
In addition to his extensive Aviation career, Mr. Pollard fulfilled 22 years of honorable active duty and reserve military service in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a First Sergeant. As a decorated Marine Corps Veteran, he was honorably discharged from service, after serving in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. During his military service, Mr. Pollard pursued and completed a degree in Aviation Business Administration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, which marked the beginning of his distinguished career in aviation.
Under Mr. Pollard’s administration, the Airport received the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) 2018 Commercial Service Airport of the Year award. In the same year, Mr. Pollard was recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Southern Region as the Air Carrier Service Airport Manager of the Year. Most recently, the Airport earned the FDOT 2023 Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year award for the Runway 18-36 Rehabilitation Project. These honors reflect the Airport’s operational excellence as well as Mr. Pollard’s exemplary leadership within the aviation industry.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Brian Grefe
Airport Director, Central Wisconsin Airport
Brian Grefe is the Airport Director of Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA), where he has led the organization for more than nine years. With over two decades of experience in airport management, Brian has built a strong reputation for advancing air service, driving infrastructure development, and strengthening community partnerships.
Under his leadership, CWA has seen significant growth and innovation, including major capital improvements, enhanced air service development strategies, and stronger connections between the airport and the communities it serves. His work emphasizes collaboration, sustainability, and positioning the airport as a key driver of economic vitality in Central Wisconsin.
Brian is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) through the American Association of Airport Executives and an Airport Certified Employee (ACE) in Operations. He has also served in leadership roles at airports in Aspen, Colorado, and Duluth, Minnesota.
Beyond the airport, Brian is an active advocate for Wisconsin’s aviation industry, working closely with state and federal leaders to secure funding, strengthen policies, and position the region for long-term success. He is passionate about connecting Central and Northern Wisconsin to the world, enhancing economic vitality, and ensuring that aviation remains a cornerstone of regional growth.
Participating Talks and Sessions
John Heimlich
VP & Chief Economist, Airlines for America (A4A)
John Heimlich joined Airlines for America (A4A) in April 2001 and currently serves as Vice President and Chief Economist. He is responsible for matters pertaining to economics and energy and frequently engages with members of the media. Prior to A4A, Heimlich spent five years at United Airlines in financial planning, financial analysis and international and regulatory affairs. In the latter role, he worked on competition matters, mergers, route cases and antitrust immunity for alliances.
A native of Kent, Ohio, Heimlich holds a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Cornell University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Matthew Cornelius
Executive Vice President, Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA)
Matt Cornelius joined ACI-NA in November 2012 and is currently Executive Vice President. Since joining ACI-NA, Matt has served in various positions and has been essential in strengthening our relationship with U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as leading key initiatives to improve airport operators’ standing in commercial aviation.
Cornelius oversees ACI-NA’s regulatory work, the ACI-NA committee system and serves as the committee secretary to the ACI-NA U.S. International Air Service Program. His aviation industry experience has allowed him to provide insight and support for many issues including U.S., Canadian and international aviation regulations, air service development, international bilateral air service issues, airport/airline business relations, passenger facilitation and more.
Matt has served several terms as a member of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection User Fee Advisory Committee and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness. He served as the co-chair of the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee on UAS Detection and Mitigation Systems, which delivered recommendations to the FAA on Counter UAS policies in January 2024.
Prior to joining ACI-NA, Matt served as Airline Affairs Manager with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. He also held roles in Frontier Airlines’ finance and commercial strategy departments and worked in airport operations at Denver International Airport. He began his career with the aviation department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he held various positions in the central office and in airport operations at JFK International Airport.
Cornelius is a graduate of Villanova University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and also holds an MBA from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Jonathon Freye
Executive Director, Association of Value Airlines
Jonathon Freye is the Executive Director of the Association of Value Airlines, the trade association representing the leading domestic low-fare airlines.
Freye began his career in policy in the Office of Senator Maria Cantwell, then-chair of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee. He then served as Federal Government Affairs Representative for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, executing an advocacy campaign on DCA slots and perimeter issues.
He returned to Capitol Hill during the 2018 FAA Reauthorization cycle as Senior Policy Advisor to a member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, and then served as Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for the National Air Transportation Association.
He is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation, and is a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Faye Malarkey Black
President and CEO, Regional Airline Association
Participating Talks and Sessions
Christina Cole
Senior Digital Aviation Strategist, Advance Aviation
Christina Cole is the Team Leader of Advance Aviation, a respected full-service airport marketing partner known throughout the aviation industry for driving results and strengthening airport engagement.
With over 25 years of experience in marketing—and more than a decade focused exclusively on aviation—Christina launched Advance Aviation with a clear mission: to help airports reduce passenger leakage, grow enplanements and load factors, and increase community commitment to flying local. Under her leadership, the firm has become a trusted name in the industry, working with airports across the country to deliver strategic, measurable results.
Christina plays an active and influential role in one-on-one airline meetings, helping make the case for new or expanded air service. She presents tailored marketing and creative strategies that will be implemented to promote the service, ensuring it gains strong awareness, community support, and long-term success.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Erin Porter
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations, Gainesville Regional Airport
Her mom, Holly, found out she was pregnant with Erin while taking flying lessons from her father, John, and aviation-related life is natural to her. Growing up in a flying family, Erin (nicknamed “ErPort” since nursery school) flew all over the country with her family in a small airplane. Since graduating from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, Erin has been lucky to spend much of her career in the industry she loves.
She has provided media relations, diplomatic relations and project management for some great global companies, including LearJet, Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Virgin Group of Companies. She led Media and Public Affairs for the National Park Service’s First Flight Celebration at Wright Brothers National Memorial in 2003. Earlier in her career, she even worked as a flight attendant at America West Airlines and used her flying benefits to do public relations and media projects all over the world.
When Erin returned recently to her college town of Gainesville, Florida, she learned the airport had an opening that suited her skill set. Despite the amount of time she has spent in the industry, she never knew how complicated the airport world could be, even at a small regional airport where there is never a dull moment. Erin is grateful every day for her multifaceted career in this amazing industry.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Jesse Fosnaugh
Airport Director, Gulf Shores International Airport
Jesse Fosnaugh is a seasoned airport executive with over 18 years of experience in aviation management, regulatory compliance, and strategic development. His aviation journey began early when he soloed an aircraft when he was 16, and getting his pilot license when he was 17. He continued his passion for aviation through service in the Michigan Air National Guard, where he worked on A-10 and KC-135 aircraft while earning his B.S. in Aviation Science and Administration from Western Michigan University.
Jesse’s career spans key leadership roles at Gerald R. Ford Airport, Portland International Jetport, and most recently, the Branson Airport in Missouri. There, he led strategic planning, FBO operations, and airline relations. Key achievements while in Branson included earning the Small Community Air Service Development Grant, government contract fueling, and bringing in Sun Country Airlines.
In December 2024, Jesse joined Gulf Shores International Airport as Airport Director, where he spearheaded a transformative air service expansion. Through a strategic partnership with Allegiant, he helped grow service to nine cities by summer 2025—marking a major milestone in regional connectivity and economic impact.
Jesse earned his MBA in Airport Management from the University of Central Missouri and is an Accredited Member of the American Association of Airport Executives. He is also an FAA-licensed private pilot. Formerly an adjunct professor at Ozarks Technical Community College, Jesse remains committed to inspiring future aviation professionals through education and outreach.
Outside of aviation, Jesse enjoys the outdoors, serving in his church, and spending time with his wife Sunny and their children, Kasten and Kinley.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Nico Spyrou
Head of Partnerships, Routes
Participating Talks and Sessions
Ilona Cambron
Director, Air Service Development Consulting
Ilona Cambron serves as ASM’s Director of Air Service Development bringing nearly 20 years of experience in air service development and marketing. Over the past decade, she has focused on air service development consulting, specializing in assisting small- and medium-sized airports in gaining and retaining air service.
Ilona has a deep understanding of the real-world challenges faced by the small communities, including industry consolidation, supply chain disruptions, and the depletion of aircraft resources. In her role, Ilona tackles these challenges by helping client airports craft compelling business cases for prospective carriers. She achieves this by fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders, ensuring a unified approach to strengthening air service opportunities.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Evan Berg
Director, ASM
Evan Berg is a commercial and business development leader with 25 years of experience in aviation strategy, air service development, and capacity planning. His career spans roles at major airlines and leading aviation consultancies.
At Southwest Airlines, Evan served in multiple leadership positions for more than 15 years, including International Planning, where he established the airline's international planning team and developed the airline's international growth strategy. He also held leadership roles at Southwest Airlines in Network Planning, Network Initiatives, Capacity Planning, and Airport Affairs.
As Director at Informa (ASM Global – Air Service Development), Evan leads forecasting and demand planning projects for airport clients across North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Evan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has completed postgraduate studies at Appalachian State University and Coastal Carolina University.