ATCA Announces Newly Appointed Aviation Leaders to Its Board of Directors

ATCA welcomes a newly appointed Chair-Elect, Treasurer, and five Directors to its Board of Directors. These five new members bring decades of expertise and leadership to help shape the future of aviation through their work on the ATCA Board.

“I look forward to working with our five new and dynamic ATCA Board members,” said ATCA Board Chair Paul Feldman. “Each of them brings unique perspectives, deep industry knowledge, and a shared commitment to advancing air traffic management. I am confident that their leadership will be instrumental in driving ATCA’s mission forward.”

Michael Hawthorne has been appointed as ATCA’s new Chair-Elect, following Chris Rocheleau’s departure to become the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Acting Administrator. The Chair-Elect serves a two-year term before assuming the role of Board Chair for an additional two years. Hawthorne, Growth Executive, Transportation and Aviation for General Dynamics Information Technology, has been an ATCA member for 27 years. He has served as a Director at Large on ATCA’s Board since 2019 and was previously the Board Liaison to the Rising Professionals and Membership Committees.

Carl Burleson has been appointed Treasurer after previously serving as a Director on ATCA’s Board since 2023. Currently an aviation consultant, Burleson spent over 30 years at the FAA, where he served as Acting Deputy Administrator (2018-2019) and later as Senior Advisor to the FAA Administrator before retiring in 2020.

In addition to these leadership appointments, ATCA is pleased to welcome five new Directors to the Board, each serving a three-year term: 

• Dawn Amore – President & CEO, Volanno
• Kelly Caccetta – President & CEO, CSSI
• Amy Parish – Vice President, North America Programs, UFA, Inc.
• Sharon Pinkerton – SVP, Legislative & Regulatory Policy, Airlines for America
• Don Thoma – CEO, Aireon

“Michael and Carl have served alongside me on the Board for the last few years and have been tremendous assets as we’ve re-envisioned ATCA and strengthened its role as the definitive voice for the air traffic management community,” Feldman added. “Dawn, Kelly, Amy, Sharon, and Don bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm, and I look forward to their contributions in advancing the National Airspace System.”

Mike Hawthorne said, “While ATCA has made significant progress over the past year, there is still much work to be done.” He added, “I look forward to continuing to work with Paul Feldman, Carey Fagan, the Board of Directors, and our dedicated members to position ATCA as the leading voice of the ATM industry and chief advocate for our National Airspace System.”