GOAA Celebrates New Certified Members
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), the organization responsible for managing Orlando International and Orlando Executive airports, recently celebrated a group of ambitious employees who achieved the Certified Member (C.M.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). The AAAE is the largest professional organization for airport employees. The achievements were made possible by the hard work and dedication of the students and GOAA staff.
According to Jay Cassens, A.A.E., Vice President of Aviation Real Estate for GOAA, the 10 successful candidates began their preparation late last year and completed coursework in April 2024. The coursework covered a range of airport management topics. New members are Jamie Ford; Justin Grindell; Yvonne Clay; John Zhao; Olivia Tine; Jonathan Cooper; Maegan Pollard; Jose “JR” Ramos; John Bayley; and Michael Karamarkovich.
According to AAAE, the C.M. designation points to “a diverse knowledge of the primary functions of how an airport operates.” AAAE also confirms that the designation is “a useful credential when seeking employment within the airport management profession.” To achieve the designation, one must be a member of AAAE and successfully score at least a 70% average on a 180-question, multiple-choice examination. Topics include Airport Finance & Administration, Planning, Construction & Environmental, Operations, Security, Maintenance, and Communications & Community Relations. Suffice it to say, achieving the designation is no small task. In fact, there are fewer than 3,000 C.M.s nationally. Previously, GOAA had only 10 active C.M.s with the number now doubled.
“GOAA has made a commitment to invest in the professional development of its employees,” said GOAA CEO Kevin J. Thibault. “Indeed, the first Strategic Priority is focused on our People, identified as our most valuable resource and number one priority.”
By successfully implementing this professional development program, GOAA is also fulfilling its Strategic Goal to provide and expand opportunities that will enable career advancement.