Power Players in Aviation

President Conti was appointed to the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) in 1994. He was assigned to various PAPD Commands prior to being selected for training as an explosives detection K9 handler. As a member of the PAPD K9 Unit, P.O. Conti and his K9 partner diligently worked to secure Port Authority facilities including JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Airports. President Conti has served the Port Authority PBA membership as a delegate, trustee, financial secretary, first vice president and, since January 2022, president of the association. As president, he represents approximately 1,800 PAPD members holding the rank of police officer. The PAPD is the nation’s largest transportation-related law enforcement agency.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
LaGuardia Airport. The Port Authority of NY & NJ built a new, modern airport on the footprint of one of the nation’s busiest airports while still in full operation. Truly an engineering and operational marvel.

Rick Cotton became executive director of The Port Authority of NY and NJ in August 2017. Prior to joining the Port Authority, Mr. Cotton served as New York State’s special counselor for Interagency Initiatives. Mr. Cotton joined New York State following 25 years at NBC Universal. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School, and he served as a law clerk to Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kevin E. Cox serves as the CEO of Ferrovial Vertiports. Prior to his appointment in 2021, Kevin served in leadership positions at DFW  Airport; and American Airlines among other leading aviation firms. Kevin also served as a lawyer at Strasburger and Price in Dallas. He received his B.A., with honors, in accounting from Oklahoma State University and his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University. In 2022, Kevin was appointed a committee member of the FAA. 

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
I am an aviation man, so it must be an airport! Although JFK’s New Terminal One development just recently got underway, I am proud Ferrovial Airports is part of the consortium delivering a world-class global gateway to the New York metropolitan area, setting standards for design and service through innovative, stress-free, passenger processing, immersive retail and dining experiences, and an iconic architecture and art program. The terminal improvement will have benefits for generations to come.

Tell us about your best flying experience…
With a career in aviation that spans over three decades, I have had the privilege of traveling around the world, logging well over 2 million miles, and flying on countless airlines to countless countries.  Given this, it’s literally impossible for me to pinpoint my best flying experience, but I can say with conviction that the people who crew and maintain the aircraft are some of the most dedicated, caring, and passionate people I have encountered. 

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
My favorite travel adventure was a trip that I took with my family to New Zealand, just a few months before covid hit.  We spent almost two weeks traveling both islands and were amazed by the beauty of the landscape and the welcoming of the people.  A trip we will not soon forget. 

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
Over the years, I have learned the benefit of packing everything in a carry-on.  Normally I pack two suits, three white shirts, running shorts, running shoes, a computer, a mobile phone, a mobile phone charger; and an electrical converter.

Jessica Cracchiolo brings twenty years of experience and deep involvement in the transportation industry to her current role of director of external partnerships at Grant Associates, where she’s responsible for business development and industrial recruitment. Jessica transitioned into the role in 2015 after successfully leading the Transportation Career Center as director and managing the highly applauded Scholars at Work program for the NYC Department of Education and Small Business Services. Jessica holds a bachelor’s in industrial/organizational psychology from Hofstra. 

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
It’s so hard to say, between the new Delta Terminal at LaGuardia and expansion of T4 at Kennedy – but I would have to say my absolute favorite has been the TWA Hotel!

Tell us about your best flying experience.
Although on the sentimental side, I would have to say my best flying experience had to be on my very first first-class flight on Hawaiian Air returning home from my honeymoon! There is just something different about sipping Lilikoi juice from glass stemware. 

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
Now this all depends on if we’re talking about a family trip with the kiddos to Disney or if I’m heading out on a business trip to DC! Either way one can never have enough charging wires!

Bob DeMichiel has spent his entire 38 year career at Citigroup and leads its aviation finance practice. Citigroup has raised more private capital for the redevelopment of New York’s airports than any other firm on Wall Street. Since 2002 Citigroup has underwritten over $10 billion in financing for the redevelopment of Terminals B and C/D at LGA and Terminals 1, 4 and 8 at JFK.

Lonnie Fine serves as CEO of Triangle Services, a company he has worked for since 1974. With nearly 40 years of experience, Mr. Fine has worked in both facilities and aviation support roles within Triangle Services. Additionally, Mr. Fine is a member of the Young Presidents Organization and the International Air Transport Association Ground Handling Council. Mr. Fine earned his business degree from American University.

Mike Finley is CEO of Boingo Wireless, a leading 5G and Wi-Fi provider for New York’s airports, and serves on the company’s board of directors. He is responsible for Boingo’s strategic direction and leading the business into the 5G future. Prior to Boingo, Finley served as president of North America and Australia at Qualcomm. He has over three decades of experience in leadership roles in the telecommunications industry with Nextel, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and more.

Brandon Fried currently serves as the executive director of the Air Forwarders Association. In this role, Mr. Fried serves as representative for the Air Forwarders Association on all security matters and serves on several federal advisory committees. Additionally, Mr. Fried advocates for the air freight industry to Congress and the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Fried has over three decades of experience in the air freight industry and is a recognized expert, regularly commenting for major trade publications. 

Carl Galioto, FAIA, is HOK’s president, managing principal of the New York and Philadelphia studios, and an executive committee member. He leads HOK’s technical board, directing global quality management and virtual design and construction initiatives. With more than four decades of experience, Carl expertly designs and implements large, complex projects. He is also a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects and serves on the executive committee and board of the New York Building Congress.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
LaGuardia Airport’s new award-winning Terminal B is top of mind for my favorite New York airport improvement. Designed by HOK and WSP in partnership with LaGuardia Gateway Partners, it features two island concourses accessed by pedestrian bridges above active taxiways, increasing the airport’s operational efficiency and saving millions of dollars during construction. The bridges are an apt metaphor for New York, a city of islands and bridges, with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

Joanna Geraghty is president and chief operating officer of JetBlue. In this role, Ms. Geraghty is responsible for the airline’s safety, operations and commercial performance including network, brand and marketing and revenue management. Ms.Geraghty serves on the board of directors of L3Harris Technologies, is a member of the board of the JetBlue Foundation and chairperson of the board of Concern Worldwide. Ms. Geraghty earned her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and her M.A. and J.D. from Syracuse University.