Committees

Professional Education Committee Mission:

To promote, coordinate and advance the professional education development of Executive Members of the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives

Professional Education Committee Chair Role:

• The Professional Education Committee Chair also serves as the Regional Examiner for the Southeast Chapter on the AAAE Board of Examiners.
• Gives updates to the Board on SEC Executive Members progress through the AAE accreditation program.
• Attends 4 SEC Board meetings annually to report on committee progress.
• Attends 2 AAAE Board of Examiners retreats annually.
• Coordinates the AAE accreditation final interview panels at the SEC-Annual Conference and at the SEC-AAAE Airport Finance and Administration Conference.
• Coordinates and tracks candidates progress through the AAE accreditation program through candidate mentorship, mentor development and coaching, and pairs candidates with mentors.
• Coordinates with At-large Members of the Board of Examiners and other committee members to assist with candidate mentorship, mentor development, final interview administration, CM test administration, Proctored Essay and Proctored Memo administration and other related committee and BOE activities.

SAMA/SEC-AAAE Scholarship Program

Committee provides administration of the SAMA Educational Foundation, Inc. and SEC-AAAE Scholarship Programs. The SAMA / SEC-AAAE Scholarship Program awards scholarships funded at $2000.00 each to individual students, representing southeast region academic institutions, who were actively pursuing degrees in three (3) separate industry disciplines. The committee works with the scholarship management firm Cote (Career Opportunities Through Education, Inc.) to award the individual scholarships. The scholarship administration activities generally occur during the August through October period.

SEC-AAAE Internship Grant Program

Committee provides administration of the SEC-AAAE Internship Grant Program. Based on the annual SEC-AAAE budget, a set number of internship grants will be available. The Internship Grant Program will provide up to 50% of eligible matching grant funds to a SEC AAAE member airport (Host Airport) for development and management of an internship program which results in the hosting of an Intern at the Host Airport. The maximum matching grant funds will be limited to $2,500 per Internship, subject to annual review and adjustment by the SEC AAAE Board of Directors, and shall be used to reimburse direct wages and/or certain Intern transportation and living expenses during the internship period. The committee is responsible for reviewing grant applications in accordance with the program guidelines and making recommendations of award of grants to the SEC-AAAE President. The internship grant program activities generally occur from January through September.

The goal of the membership development committee is to increase membership in the SEC AAAE and maintain the largest membership of all AAAE chapters.

The objective of the membership committee is to inform airport executives throughout the southeast about the benefits of participating in the SEC. Those benefits include furnishing opportunities for professional growth, while supporting training and educational programs for airport practitioners in an atmosphere of integrity and camaraderie.

On an annual basis the committee members determine the recruitment strategy for the year. The components of the plan are then allocated to each committee member. Calls are held periodically to update on the status and modifications are made as necessary. The current year strategy includes reaching out to all AAAE members from the southeast region that are not current SEC members and also reaching out to general aviation airports to encourage membership in the chapter.

Provide audit oversight for financial matters concerning SEC conferences.

To maintain the current level of adequate financial oversight and accountability for the Chapter conferences, ensuring proper internal controls and appropriate bookkeeping procedures. Procedures will include receiving all financial records relating to conferences, including but not limited to, conference checkbooks, detailed listings of expenditures and detailed listings of sponsor and registration payments. Random selection of cashed checks to ensure appropriate endorsement. Review both revenues and expenses for reasonableness.

Purpose: Our purpose is to provide support by way of mentorship, networking, and learning opportunities to those just starting out within the aviation industry.

Action Plan:
Specific: The AAAE Southeast’s Young Professionals committee wants to increase the participation within the committee and align with AAAE YoPro and other regional YoPro committees. This committee will be open to all SEC members 35 and younger. The plan is to accomplish this by creating a LinkedIn Page, hosting bimonthly lunch and learns and periodic meetups within the region for members of the SEC YoPro. Our plan is for each of the Young Professionals is to be paired up with a mentor and have the opportunity to review what was talked about during the previous month’s meeting. For example, if in March our meeting topic is Air Service Development, the one on one with the mentor could review the Air Service Development topic. This will build the mentor/mentee relationship and keep engagement throughout the year. We plan to pick topics that could be beneficial to someone planning on taking the Certified Member course as another way to reinforce the material. As we continue to grow, we will seek feedback on topics the group would like to learn about and work to incorporate that into the curriculum. We plan to announce this rebrand to the Southeast Chapter by way of email as well.

Measurable: We plan to continue to develop this committee into something that provides opportunities for the future industry leaders. The goal is to have at least ten YoPros signed up and paired with a mentor by July 2023. We will not limit the number of participants to just 10, that is our goal to shoot for to start. Also, individuals don’t not have to be paired with a mentor to be part of the group. If possible, we would like to organize a meet up at a future conference. But the focus of this committee will be virtual to help grow participation.

Attainable: Increase the amount of participation by hosting a future “Coffee Chat,” Lunch and Learn Webinar sessions, and host a Get to Know us event for the Southeast Region

Relevant: By increasing the amount of participation within the Young Professionals committee it will give the next round of future leaders an opportunity to network, learn from established industry professionals and increase their own marketability

Timely: July 2023

Marketing/Promotional Plan: We plan to initially request that the SEC sends out an email to announce the change and update the contacts for the rebranded committee. We would like to create a presence on social media by way of LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Creating these social media outlets could help get the message out, especially coordinating with AAAE and the Young Professionals committee on the national level. We also plan to host a SEC Coffee chat to help promote the committee, talk about our goals and expectations of the committee going forward.

Provides industry leaders’ recount of their rise in the aviation industry ranks. Primary goal is to deliver a method (through the leaders’ personal experiences) toward a positive path for career promotion to the finest up-and-coming professionals. The objective is to offer informational and instructional workshops to folks not budgeted for the F&A, the NAC, their chapter or annual AAAE conferences. Procedures include daylong regional session from 9:30 to 3:30, at a very minimal cost. Four speakers, with facilitator. Host airport provides light breakfast and box lunch. Facilitator encourages group participation and we have utilized a professional leadership corporate member to assist with developmental ideas and leadership solutions.

• Manage the public's perception of the organization’s product or brand.
• Refine marketing goals and strategies of the Southeast Chapter.
• Coordinate the marketing, advertising and public relations activities of the Southeast Chapter.

Mission: The mission is to further the advancement of all underrepresented communities throughout the aviation sector, with a focus on education and advocacy in airport management and supporting industries.

Vision: A progressive and unified aviation community providing outreach to better diversify the aerospace workforce.

Prepares Resolutions of Appreciation for presentation at Annual Conferences to include:

• Current SEC-AAAE President
• General Manager, Conference Hotel
• Current Annual Conference Committee
• Host city mayor
• Host airport board of directors/commission/authority
• Other resolutions as requested

The Committee drafts changes to the SEC-AAAE bylaws for Board approval. The Committee forwards those changes to the corporate attorney to ensure the changes are germane to the Tennessee State Corporation Commission rules and regulations. The Committee submits the changes to the general membership for final approval.

The Nominations Committee will develop a slate of officers and directors for presentation to and approval by the General Membership of the SEC-AAAE. The Committee will likewise present nominations for various AAAE roles to be filled by prospective members of the SEC-AAAE