ATCA Aviation Leadership Forum Speakers
We’re bringing together inspiring leaders and industry experts for a series of impactful sessions. Check back soon to see the powerful voices who will be guiding us through this year’s ATCA Aviation Leadership Forum.
Nicholas E. Calio
Nicholas E. Calio has been the president and CEO of Airlines for America (A4A), the trade association representing the country’s leading passenger and cargo airlines, since January 2011. Known for his ability to form strong teams, establish solid relationships and build diverse coalitions that bring about consensus, Calio has worked collaboratively with airlines, labor unions, Congress, the executive branch and countless others to affect meaningful change for the aviation industry, both domestically and internationally.
Bob Etris
As Managing Partner at Evans, Bob transforms complex organizational challenges into clear, sustainable solutions. Since joining Evans in 2003, he has systematically built practical frameworks that bridge technology, business needs, and—most importantly—human dynamics. His approach combines strategic insight with genuine care, helping organizations navigate change while keeping people at the center.
Bob’s journey from Business Analyst to Managing Partner reflects his talent for building structured approaches to transformation. His early work aligning IT solutions with stakeholder needs evolved into leading organizational change initiatives in Air Traffic Control and optimizing / advising / enhancing lifecycle acquisition management programs. Today, he oversees client delivery and business development, bringing his systematic yet human-centered approach to project operations, client engagement, and portfolio management.
Dr. Brandon Fielding
Brandon Fielding holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in clinical social work from Brigham Young University, as well as being a PhD candidate at Portland State University. He was a Hatfield Fellow with the Oregon Health Authority, where he worked on expanding mental and physical health care access for underserved populations. Additionally, he has contributed to research and initiatives through the Center for Public Service at PSU.
He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and operates a full-time private practice specializing in childhood trauma, PTSD, and attachment. Recently, he and his team launched Birchstone Mental Health Urgent Care, a pioneering service to address urgent mental health needs in the community. He is also an adjunct professor at both Portland State University and Clark College, teaching courses in psychology, political science, and sociology. His unique blend of clinical expertise, academic teaching, and policy insight informs his work in addressing the complex challenges faced by individuals and communities impacted by trauma.
Richard Kennington
Richard Kennington’s aviation career began at Utah Valley State College (UVSC), where he earned his private pilot rating while working as a flight dispatcher. These early experiences laid the foundation for his ultimate ambition of becoming an Air Traffic Controller. While pursuing his studies in Pittsburgh, PA, Richard gained valuable experience as an assistant airport manager at Beaver County Airport.
In 1999, Richard was hired by the FAA to work at Portland Tower, Oregon. After earning his certification, he sought opportunities to broaden his expertise, including developing courses for UVSC's online aviation program. In 2003, his efforts were recognized when he and his team won the Innovative Programming Award from the University Continuing Education Association for their development of online aviation science courses.
From 2008 to 2020, Richard served as the Facility Representative for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) at Portland International Airport (PDX). In 2012, he contributed to the Safety Risk Management Panel, which played a pivotal role in establishing Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFARs) for Pearson Field in Vancouver, WA. The following year, Richard was appointed to lead the Northwest Mountain Region on NATCA’s National Legislative Committee.
Richard joined the FAA’s national cadre for recurrent training in 2012, delivering bi-annual facilitated training sessions. In 2016, he was selected to develop and deliver training for the FAA, successfully executing 18 rounds of training over an eight-year period. Concurrently, he continued to lead the regional legislative team and, in 2020, was appointed National Legislative Chair for NATCA.
Throughout his career, Richard has become known for his insightful, humorous, and engaging presentations, emceeing, and speaking at numerous conferences across the United States and Europe.
Paul Rinaldi
Paul Rinaldi is Airlines for America's Senior Vice President, Operations and Safety. Rinaldi is responsible for A4A’s Operations and Safety departments, including Air Traffic Management. He brings to the association more than thirty years of hands-on industry experience and leadership at the highest levels.
Rinaldi began his career as a certified controller with the Washington-Dulles Tower (IAD) in 1991, and he rose through the ranks of elected leadership of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the organization of 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers and other aviation safety related professionals. The membership elected him to an unprecedented four three-year terms as NATCA president, and upon his retirement in 2021, he was honored with the role of NATCA president emeritus.
Since his retirement from NATCA, Rinaldi has served as the founder and president of Rinaldi Consultants LLC, advising aviation leaders on initiatives that help shape regulatory and policy decisions, especially those related to aviation, air traffic control and emerging technologies.During his three decades of aviation experience, Rinaldi has worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), the White House and key committees on Capitol Hill including House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Commerce Committee. He has testified 20 times on Capitol Hill on a wide range of issues including critical aviation safety programs, efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS), new technologies, federal funding and FAA reauthorizations.
Rinaldi has held roles on numerous industry board and advisory councils, and he regularly provides thought leadership to the aviation industry, the media and academic institutions. A current member of Kansas State University’s Advisory Board, he contributes to shaping its aviation curriculum to ensure workforce and safety preparedness.
Rebecca Spicer
Rebecca Spicer joined Airlines for America (A4A) as Senior Vice President, Communications in 2018. She is responsible for media relations and communications initiatives that help advance policy, legislative and regulatory priorities and execute public relations strategies on behalf of the leading U.S. airlines, both passenger and cargo carriers.She led A4A’s communications during the COVID-19 pandemic, generating significant media coverage and launching the “Save Our Jobs” campaign that helped save the industry and get Congress to support the Payroll Support Program, which was passed three times and secured nearly $60 billion to keep airline employees on the job.
Additionally, she worked with an industry coalition to amplify research conducted by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health that concluded that air on airplanes was safe and the risk of COVID-19 exposure during air travel was low. The research was instrumental in restoring confidence in the flying public and reopening markets.
Spicer led A4A’s “5G Interference Won’t Fly” communications campaign in 2022, which was critical to educating federal leaders and the public about safety concerns amid the deployment of 5G service near airports. The campaign generated widespread media coverage and helped drive an agreement, allowing for the safe continuation of air service. The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) honored the campaign with its Power of Associations Award, and PRWeek named it a finalist for its Best in Crisis Award.
Prior to A4A, Spicer worked at the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), where she became Senior Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs. While at NBWA, she was named to PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” edition and received ASAE’s Rising Star Award.She served in the George W. Bush White House as associate director of communications, producing televised presidential events. Earlier, she worked at WJLA in Washington, D.C., where she produced the award-winning six p.m. newscast; KTRK in Houston; WTNH in New Haven; and WVTM in Birmingham. She began as a production assistant at CNN.
A Nashville native, Spicer graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., where she has served on the Board of Trustees, volunteered as Class Alumni Chair and received the Distinguished Young Alumna Award. She also holds a degree in communications from Indiana University.She earned a certificate from Harvard Kennedy School's “Persuasive Communication” executive program and is a member of Page, the world's leading professional association for communications executives. PRWeek inducted her in the Hall of Femme, which honors “leaders in the communications industry who challenge the status quo, move the needle in business and strive to make a difference.” PRNEWS named her an Industry Champion, recognizing “supportive, innovative and inspiring women who are making strides within their organization.”
Spicer serves on the Board of the National Council for Adoption, volunteers as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Council and was on the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army National Capital Region.
