OFFICERS

With over 17 years of extensive senior-level expertise across various facets of the aviation industry, including airport operations, strategic marketing, social media, brand management, public relations, marketing, advertising, and strategic communications, Atif Elkadi currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Ontario International Airport. In this capacity, he orchestrates day-to-day operations, spearheads an expansive capital development program, oversees revenue management, finance, administrative functions, marketing and communications, and information technology, consistently exploring innovative approaches to drive both revenue and passenger growth.

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Atif's journey with Ontario International Airport commenced in the role of Senior Director of Marketing before progressing to the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

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Prior to his leadership at Ontario, Atif played a crucial role as the Senior Corporate Communications Manager, where he developed comprehensive communication strategies and managed initiatives to align with the strategic objectives of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the world's fourth busiest airport. His responsibilities included shaping the overall communication strategy and overseeing its successful implementation.

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Bringing his expertise to the global stage, Atif made significant contributions to Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport for international passengers. During his tenure, he spearheaded the development and management of internal communications, customer service communications, and social media strategies, ensuring alignment with the diverse communication needs of employees and customers.

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Atif holds a Master's Degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California, an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix, and a bachelor's Degree in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. His diverse educational background, combined with his wealth of experience, positions him as a highly accomplished professional in the aviation industry.
 

Charlene Reynolds currently serves as the Airport Director of John Wayne Airport, a dynamic medium hub commercial airport. Ms. Reynolds manages all activities related to the airport’s operation and is directly responsible for six airport divisions, including Business Development, Finance, Maintenance, Operations, and Public Affairs. Charlene Reynolds formerly held the position of Chief Commercial Officer for the Houston Airport System. Ms. Reynolds managed the airport system’s revenue-generating entities, including the In-Terminal Sales, Parking and Ground Transportation and Real Estate Development & Leasing business units.

Charlene also led the negotiation team for the Southwest Airlines seven-gate expansion at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). She worked with Spirit Airlines to bring their newest Maintenance Hub to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). In collaboration with the Director of Parking and Ground Transportation (GT), she deployed strategies to increase revenues for HAS parking assets. Charlene successfully negotiated the request for proposals (RFP) for the IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP) and HOU food, beverage and retail, as well as the development of future everyday use lounges in IAH and HOU. She brought new concepts to the HAS concessions program (gaming, automated retail, etc.) and developed the strategy for mobile ordering in our airports.

Before HAS, Charlene served as the Assistant Aviation Director – Business Planning for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for four years. She was responsible for the Contracts and Services, Business and Properties, Fiscal Management, and Air Service Development Divisions.  During her tenure as the Assistant Director, Charlene created award winning programs that provided more opportunities for small and local businesses at the airport.

Ms. Reynolds also led Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as the Interim Aviation Services Director during the pandemic from October 2020 through March 2021. During this time Charlene led efforts to provide a safe working environment for employees and passengers, provided rent relief to the airport’s business partners, while maintaining a strong financial strategy to ensure the airport could continue its major capital improvement projects such as the extension of the SkyTrain and the new eight (8) gate expansion at Terminal 4.

She also served as the Chairwoman for the City of Phoenix Employee Retirement System (COPERS) and President-Elect for the local chapter of National Forum for Black Public Administrators. She is an active member of Airport Council International (ACI), Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University.

Mukesh “Mookie” Patel, C.M., serves as the Director of Aviation for San José Mineta International Airport (SJC). In his role, he leads the Airport’s staff toward fulfilling SJC’s mission: To connect, serve and inspire; and its vision: To transform how Silicon Valley travels. He manages a San José City Department with an annual operating budget of $176 million, oversees a 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program budgeted for $614 million, and leads more than 200 employees responsible for SJC’s safe and efficient operations.

Patel began his career in October 1993 as the Manager of Commercial Development at Kansas City International Airport overseeing relations and compliance with airlines and concessions.

In 1998, he joined AvAirPros as Business Consulting Practice Manager. In this capacity, he managed the capital program budget for major investments for Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport and International Terminal Building at San Francisco International Airport.

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In 2005, Patel transitioned from airport to airline administration joining Alaska Airlines as the Airport Affairs Corporate Real Estate Manager. He managed a diverse portfolio of airport relationships nationwide that included SJC -- deepening his expertise and understanding SJC’s economic impact in the Bay Area.

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In 2015, Patel became Senior Vice President of Airline Affairs and Commercial Property at Denver International Airport where he spearheaded stakeholder support for the 39-gate expansion project and administered the opening of the new Westin Hotel.

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From 2017 to 2020, he served as Chief Aviation Administration Officer and Assistant Director of Aviation at San Antonio International Airport where he was responsible for enhancing community connections and contributing to the city’s economic growth.

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Before his tenure at SJC, Patel was the Business and Finance Chief Officer at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. There, he increased non-airline revenues by nine percent over three years and facilitated investments supporting the airport’s multi-billion-dollar investment plan.

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Patel holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Oklahoma State University and possesses a private pilot license. In 2022, he received the Dedicated Service Award from the American Association of Airport Executives and is a member of the Commercial Management Steering Committee of Airports Council International.

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He is a passionate leader and mentor for his team, continuously seeking meaningful connections with industry professionals.
 

Kimberly J. Becker is President and CEO of San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and is responsible for fiscal management and operational oversight of the San Diego International Airport (SAN).

Ms. Becker has been in the role since 2017, overseeing several capital improvement projects including the $3.86 billion New T1 program that will replace Terminal 1 with a modernized, more efficient facility and other improvements that enhance the airport experience.

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During Ms. Becker’s tenure, the airport has experienced record-high passenger growth and expanded the airport’s nonstop network to more than 80 domestic destinations and 12 international destinations. Under her leadership, SAN has been recognized for its environmental and sustainability efforts, including being named the second-ever carbon neutral airport in North America. Ms. Becker has been named 2024 Large Airport Director of the Year by Airport Experience News (AXN) and received the Moving San Diego Forward Award from the San Diego Chamber of Commerce.

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Before joining the Airport Authority, Ms. Becker was the Director of Aviation for Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) and held operations and environmental positions at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California, and Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey.

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Ms. Becker is dedicated to being an active partner in the community. She is an executive committee member for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and Past Chair of the San Diego Tourism Authority. She currently serves as a board member for the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and the Kyoto Symposium Organization.

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Ms. Becker is actively engaged with Airports Council International-North America, for which she serves as a U.S. Policy Council member. Additionally, Ms. Becker is Vice Chair on that Board’s Large Hub Committee. Also, within the aviation and travel industry, Ms. Becker is a Policy Review committee co-chair of the American Association of Airport Executives, serves on the Board of Directors of California Airports Council, and as a Director for the International Gateway Coalition.

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Ms. Becker holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in business administration/aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
 

As the current Airport Director for Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), with more than 32 years of experience in the aviation industry, Mr. Hastert is responsible for the maintenance, operations, fiscal management, and long-term capital planning for the airport. He leads a staff of 73 employees and manages a $31 million operating budget.  He is committed to providing a convenient, stress-free travel experience for central coast passengers, promoting the welfare and success of the general aviation community, all while minimizing impacts on neighboring areas. 

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Prior to joining the Santa Barbara Airport team, he served as General Manager of the Santa Maria Public Airport for 14 years, worked his way up from an Operations Officer to Deputy Director for the Ventura County Department of Airports overseeing the operations at both Oxnard and Camarillo Airports for 12 years, and served in the US Army as an Aviation Operations Specialist for 5 years.

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He is currently the Board President of the California Airports Council, board member of the Association of California Airports, membership chair for the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives, and past president of the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club.

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When not enjoying the view from above as private pilot since 2002, he also enjoys camping and offroad driving with Kathy, his wife of 25 years, and sons Riley (20) and Colin (17).