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Your WAMA Board of Directors

Who We Are!

Your WAMA Board of Directors and Committee Chairmen consists of an all volunteer board who contribute their time and effort toward the advancement of our organization.

All of our Board members are active and involved in Corporate or General Aviation and represent a broad range of experience and knowledge to guide the organization.

We encourage input, suggestions and engagement from our Members for the continued success of the organization

Interested in Joining the Board or volunteering?

Please speak to or contact any of our board members and  we will invite you to one of our Board meetings. 

There are many reasons to get involved in a professional organization.  Career advancement visibility, networking, sharing your skill set to support a premier aircraft maintenance organization...and it's fun too!

Email any of us with your interests!     admin@wamahpn.org


BOARD OFFICERS

WAMA  President, Web/Technical

Jody Kerton

Dassault Falcon Jet- Customer Support Engineer


As a long standing member of WAMA since the mid 1980s, Jody has served on the WAMA board since 2004 as a volunteer, Membership Chair, Vice President, and now as President.  Jody is no stranger to Westchester County Airport.  Growing up 15 minutes from the airport, he started his aviation career at HPN pumping Avgas while attending college and studying for his A&P license.  He has since worked in General Aviation, an Avionics facility, fifteen years in a large corporate flight department, Chief of Maintenance for one aircraft and currently Engineering Support at Dassault Falcon Jet.  Experience includes part 91, 125 and 135 operations with aircraft to include King Air, Gulfstream, Boeing 737-400, Global Express and the Falcon family of aircraft.

“Being an active member of a premier aircraft maintenance organization really benefits your career through networking and increases your exposure to industry professionals.”

Contact: jkerton@aol.com


WAMA  Vice President, 

Dave Schiavone

Concorde Battery- Area Representative

Dave began his Aviation career by enlisting in the US Navy in 1979 as an Aviation Mechanic. He went to work for Aero Quality Sales and Aviall battery Shop. He joined the US Air Force Air National guard for a combined 22 years of service. He is an active member of American Legions helping other Veterans.  Dave has been part of W.A.M.A since 1983, he served on the board as treasurer, Membership chair, an active contributor and Training liaison.  Dave has developed the WAMA online spot Light and has written about our flight department members.  He is currently an Area Sales Manager for Concorde Battery Corporation,

His memberships include:  

Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association, Professional Aviation Maintenance Association and Long Island Business Aviation Association.

Contact: daveschiavone@aol.com


WAMA CoTreasurer,

Joan Szemplenski


Joan brings over 35 years of aviation experience to the WAMA Board. Her aviation career started as an Assistant Manager of a flight school, at Central New Jersey Regional Airport (47N). The student pilot’s enthusiasm was contagious and it’s where her love of aviation began.

She has worked for Part 121, 135 but mostly at 91 operations, which includes several Fortune 50 companies as an Aircraft Scheduler. She retired from Verizon’s Corporate Flight Department after 16 years of service. Currently Joan schedules Demo flights for Dassault Falcon Jet.

Joan holds a BS Degree in Business Administration from Concordia College  Bronxville, NY, and has her Private Pilot’s License.

Contact: admin@wamahpn.org


WAMA CoTreasurer,

Jennifer Riegel

World Fuel Services

Jennifer started her aviation career at Signature flight Support in MMU as the Customer Service Manager. She was promoted to Duty Manager by working both the customer service desk and outside fueling, towing and marshaling aircraft.  She continued her aviation career at Jet Aviation TEB as Customer Service Manager/Client Liaison.  Currently Jennifer is the FBO and Airport Solutions Sales Manager at World Fuel Services



WAMA Secretary,

Open Position











NBAA Advisor/ Communications,

Brittany Davies

NBAA Northeast Regional Representative

 

Brittany Davies is NBAA’s new Northeast regional representative, following Dean Saucier’s retirement after 17 years of dedicated service. The newly reconfigured Northeast region now includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.

Davies is a long-time business aviation advocate with direct involvement in grassroots organizations. Most recently, she has been president of Wind Shift Consulting, a firm focusing on strategic marketing and development within the business aviation industry. Davies is a multi-engine, instrument and commercial rated pilot.

Davies’ experience includes charter scheduling and sales, hangar development and aerial photography. She has been serving as the first executive director of the Westchester Aviation Association in White Plains, NY and has represented the Northeast as vice chair of NBAA’s Local and Regional Groups Committee. In 2007, she was a founding member of the Colorado Aviation Business Association.

Contact: bdavies@nbaa.org or (202) 478-7761


COMMITTEES

Membership


WAMA Membership Chair,  

Malcolm MacKenzie


Malcolm MacKenzie, also known by his middle name, Ken, began his aviation career in the military.  He served six years of active duty in the U.S.M.C. working on AV-8B Harriers at MCAS Yuma, AZ.  Additionally, he served eighteen years in the Air Force Reserve at Westover Air Base in Chicopee, MA working in the structural repair shop for the C5-A/B/M program. 

He has been part of the HPN family since 1999 and an active WAMA member for many years.  Malcolm started his career at Panorama and held positions as a Technician, Shift Lead and Inspector.  In 2005, he transitioned to EJM/NetJets as a Technician, Inspector, SMS and Safety Manager for the HPN facility.  In 2017, he began a new position as Operations Manager for Clay Lacy in Oxford, CT, while still supporting clients at HPN.

Malcolm will serve as Membership Chairman as well as continuing to serve  as the Aviation Maintenance Chair..

Contact: malcolmmackenzie66@outlook.com



WAMA Membership Assistant, 

Open Position Contact: malcolmmackenzie66@outlook.com if interested








Communications


WAMA Communications Chair, 

George Kleros

Jet Support Services Inc.-JSSI

Senior Vice President,

Strategic Management and Fleet Support

Mr. Kleros is responsible for large fleet support, and strategic planning within Technical Services and Advisory Services at JSSI.  He has over 30 years of experience in Aviation Maintenance, Management, Field Support Services and appraisals for business jet aircraft.

With over 35 years in aviation, Mr. Kleros has held a position as the Eastern Region Customer Service Manager for Rolls Royce North America.  Prior to that position, he was the Technical Support Manager with JSSI for almost a decade.  Mr. Kleros also held positions with Textron Flight Services in a field support position and was the Director of Maintenance for an Air Carrier fleet.  He also held the position of President for an aircraft maintenance company with multiple satellite facilities supporting charter operations, flight schools, and retail maintenance. 

Mr. Kleros currently serves on the maintenance airworthiness committee for General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), is a board member of the Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association, and serves on The Embry Riddle AMS IAC committee.

Mr. Kleros holds an FAA rating for Powerplant and Airframe, with additional privileges as a holder of an Inspectors Authorization (IA). Accredited Senior Appraiser MTS Aviation discipline with American Society of Appraisers.

Contact: admin@wamahpn.org


Education and Training

WAMA Education and Career Development Chair, Social Media

Jennifer Kempsey

AVMATS -Regional Sales Manager, Northeast


Jennifer Kempsey is the Northeast Regional Sales Manager for AVMATS Jet Support out of KSUS, and has worked in the industry for over 15 years.
Kempsey is a long-time aviation advocate who currently sits on WAA as the Executive Director and Women in Aviation (WAI) - Westchester County as the Fundraising Chair. Jennifer also volunteers with The NBAA Maintenance Committee, The Aerospace Maintenance Competition, and WAI Girls in Aviation Day held at the airport.  
Jennifer was awarded “40 Under 40” in 2020 by NBAA for her dedication and passion to the industry. She believes in the future of aviation and is grateful for all aviation has been able to provide for her.
When she is not supporting the industry she loves, she enjoys going to see live music, thrifting, and trying new restaurants. Jennifer currently lives in Westwood, NJ, with her sweet little chihuahua Lucy, who she often travels on the road with.

Contact: JAKempsey@AVMATS.com


WAMA Training Coordinator

Joe Vitulli

Honeywell Aerospace Manager Customer Support

Joe's aviation career has entered its 33rd year, all of which have been on Long Island, beginning in 1987 at Garrett AirResearch facility at Islip McArthur Airport as an expeditor. He later worked at various roles with increased responsibilities as the company he worked for also kept evolving from Garrett to Allied, to Allied Signal, and then ultimately Honeywell.

His career has spanned all three market segments of Aerospace, from Business & General Aviation, to Defense & Space, then Commercial operator’s, now back to Business & General Aviation in his latest role as the Northeast Operator Area Sales Manager. Prior to this role he was the East Coast Operator Support Manager and led a Team of eighteen Field Service Engineers supporting the commercial airlines in the Americas to include the worldwide launching of the A350. He earned a Master’s Degree & Bachelors from Dowling College, as well as his Program Management Professional Certificate. He also serves on the Board of the Long Island Business Aviation Association (LIBAA). 


Aviation Maintenance and Industry

WAMA Aviation Maintenance Chair, 

Malcolm MacKenzie

Malcolm will serve as the Aviation Maintenance Chair as well as your Membership Chair.  In this role, Malcolm will serve as WAMA's industry liaison, reaching out to provide our members with pertinent and relevant industry news, safety issues, and local and regional airport news and information.

Contact:  malcolmmackenzie66@outlook.com

VOLUNTEERS


                                                

Al Bailas 

WAMA Golf Committee Chair


                                              



Liz Friedland

Communications

Liz’s aviation career began many years ago as a Stewardess with Pan American World Airways.  After numerous years of travel, she became a Flight Attendant Supervisor.  After the demise of the airline, she moved on to several positions with Delta Airlines in Inflight Service and Customer Service ultimately as a Manager.  After September 11th, she transitioned into Corporate Aviation with Jet Professionals where she remained for ten plus years doing full time placements.  She currently is retired and has a small business, Resume Rescue, assisting aviation personnel with resume writing and coaching for interviews.  Additionally, she has her M.Ed from Teachers College at Columbia University.  She recently joined the WAMA team to assist with the newsletter.

  Pat Garzon 

  Pilot, Special projects








Janette Licastrino

Million Air HPN- Client Relations Sales Manager 





Sandi Nicosia

Golf Committee

Sandra Nicole Nicosia, a local Westchester County resident, began her aviation career as a Corporate Flight Attendant in 2015 which fulfilled her lifelong passion of air travel.   Since then, Sandi has worked as a professional FA and is familiar with the airport community having grown up minutes from the airport.  Sandi’s diversity and passion extends into other areas of her professional career which is Dentistry.  Sandi can also be found managing a busy private dental practice.  Her outgoing personality is the perfect combination for working at our WAMA events. 

Open Positions





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