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Metropolitan Airport News Editorial Contributors

Here’s a list of all of our authors.

Jerry Spampanato was the General Manager at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the Aviation Department of the PANYNJ. As General Manager, he was responsible for operating the airport daily, managing and directing the activities of 500 staff members within an annual budget of $300 million. An airline and Port Authority executive with extensive experience, Jerry assumed various roles, including operations, customer service, maintenance, security, cargo, facilities, and labor relations. Before joining the Port Authority, Jerry held key airline executive positions. In addition to managing airports in the Caribbean, U. S. Northeast, and Southeast regions, he was the key architect in developing and constructing cargo and terminal facilities. He also orchestrated the buildup of flight operations in New York and Miami to major hub status. Jerry began his career with the Port Authority in 1992, where he managed Terminal One and supervised the operation of Carrier Operations. In 1994, he became Manager, Airport Maintenance Services Division at JFK. As General Manager, he interfaced with airlines, airport tenants, federal agencies, and surrounding local communities. Jerry continues to be an active airport community member donating his time to the JFK Chamber of Commerce, Our Lady of the Skies Catholic Guild, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and York College.6 Articles

One of the recurring comments overheard in elevators and around water coolers at the Port Authority is there aren’t many people who are aware of the really cool transportation stuff the agency does every day. These stories rarely make the news cycle. Not many of us would pause anyway to think about the intermodal freight system that delivers fresh fish to our region, while out dining at a restaurant on Alaskan sockeye salmon.5 Articles

Associate Public Information Officer at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey5 Articles

Roz Hamlett is an aviation and transportation writer and former senior writer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Her current work focuses on drones, UAS integration, airport safety, and the evolving role of emerging technology in aviation. She is currently at work on a book project exploring the economic reality of the $83B drone industry.4 Articles

Alana Calmi is a Public Information Officer at The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In 2014 she received her BA in Journalism and Communications from the University at Albany where she played on the Women's Golf team.3 Articles

After publishing “Reclaiming the Sky,”​ a story of the courage of aviation workers on 9/11, Fordham University invited Tom to create the Human Resiliency Institute to develop resiliency training programs that reflect the healing principles of the 9/11 heroes profiled in his book. Edge4Vets is the lead program for the institute, which is housed in the Gabelli School of Business. Edge4Vets helps veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, learn how to tap into their resiliency strengths from the military to make successful transitions to civilian life.3 Articles

Phil Derner founded NYCAviation in 2003. A lifetime aviation enthusiast that grew up across the water from LaGuardia Airport, Phil has aviation experience as a Loadmaster, Operations Controller and Flight Dispatcher. He owns and operates NYCAviation and performs duties as an aviation expert through writing, consulting, public speaking and media appearances. You can reach him by email or follow him on Twitter @PhilDernerJr.3 Articles

Senior Public Information Officer at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey3 Articles

Brian KEENE grew up in West Islip, NY, in the 1970s and loved to hang around John F. Kennedy Airport. Awestruck by the colors and trademark insignia of aircraft and their movement about the airport, Keene decided to take his passion for aviation and the airport to another level by building a 1:400 scale replica of JFK International Airport that would capture and remind him of a moment in his life when the aviation bug first bit him.2 Articles

Emmanuel Akinbobola is currently pursuing a career in aviation as a pilot at the Academy of Aviation's career pilot program in New York. Emmanuel holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University and has an extensive background working on policy-related matters in the private, public, and international governmental organization (IGO) sectors. His professional journey has taken him to the United Nations and the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), and the World Bank Group, working in several countries, including Tajikistan and Ukraine. Additionally, Emmanuel can communicate in multiple languages, including Yoruba, French, English, and Mandarin.2 Articles

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