Vanessa Chin selected for national TRB committee
Vanessa Chin, Innovation Section Manager at KCIA, starts work on a national appointment this month. She begins serving as a member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)’s Aviation (AV) Aircraft/Airport Compatibility Committee.
“I’m really excited about it because it’s with the National Academies,” Chin said. “That’s where new ideas spawn from and get funding. Things like alternative fuels, electric aircraft, and digital twins. For me, this is a great opportunity to be part of the future of aviation.”
Membership on each standing committee is limited to 25 individuals nationwide. The committee members work together to develop research problem statements in their area of interest, review and recommend papers for publication and for presentation at TRB Annual Meetings, and organize annual meeting sessions as well as committee meetings, workshops, and other activities.
“Vanessa Chin’s selection to this TRB Committee is another example of how the King County International Airport is Leading the Way,” said John Parrott, KCIA director. “By investing in our people we have fostered professional growth that has resulted in nationally recognized expertise.”
The Aircraft/Airport Compatibility Committee is focused on issues related to aircraft and their compatibility with airport airside areas, which include the regions that aircraft interface with during ground movements: airport aprons, taxiways, runways, and their environments. In addition, the committee is focused on the use of and evaluating data from Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support airside operations.
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Celebrating community and collaboration
 "Return on Investments," a collaborative artwork by Indigenous artists Tommy Segundo and Toka Valu. The artists engaged the community in the design, which includes a Boeing 747 and spawning salmon, shown above. The salmon symbolize life's cyclical nature while the Boeing 747 stands for modern transportation.
Below, the new fence selected by a community working group that supports the new mural.
4Culture and King County International Airport (KCIA) held a celebration for the new artwork, Return on Investments, on March 29. The artwork, by artists Tommy Segundo and Toka Valu, adorns a new perimeter fence at South Albro Place and South Hardy Street.
The two projects, completed separately but in collaboration, mark the end of a long journey with significant public engagement for each part of the project.
In 2020, the artists started on the 2D art for fence project and engaged in conversations with the Georgetown community about important elements to be considered in the artwork design. In 2021, the airport convened a working group of members from the Georgetown community. The airport needed to replace a fence on the northwest corner of the property.
“It was a great collaboration to ensure the safety and security of the airport while incorporating community feedback to ensure the airport is a good neighbor,” said Kevin Nuechterlein, former capital projects manager at the airport.
“There was a lot of back and forth, finding creative ways to make it still look nice and still be safe and secure,” Nuechterlein said.
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In September 2022, the airport brought three fence options to the Georgetown Community Council. They also did a survey to get feedback. Input from the survey and the working group drove the selection of the final fence design.
The fence type that was preferred by the community was more expensive but was a nicer looking fence than the airport standard fence. The airport agreed with the community’s recommendation and installed the preferred fence type.
“We collaborated with 4Culture to install a locally designed artwork along the fence from a 1% for arts project,” Nuechterlein added. The 2D art for fence project was funded by Percent for Art dollars from King County International Airport eligible capital project funds and managed by 4Culture.
“We as the airport are willing to put the time and energy into doing significant community engagement,” Nuechterlein said. “We’re being good neighbors and we have an attractive sightline for the community.”
The airport also coordinated with the City of Seattle to place the fence to accommodate a city walking path.
“We heard from community members that the walking path was a high priority for them so we made it a priority for us so SDOT (Seattle Department of Transportation) could be successful,” Nuechterlein added.
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 Immediately above, the mural showcases "Thunderbird," a symbol of balance in the natural world, uniting past, present and future.
Apply for the Airport Roundtable
The Airport Roundtable has open positions. If you live in Beacon Hill or South Park and would like to apply, please fill out an application.
The Airport Roundtable is an advisory board that makes recommendations to the airport's administrators, the King County Executive, and the King County Council. Its membership includes representatives of aviation-related businesses and communities interested in airport issues.
The Roundtable meets on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in person at the airport terminal as well as virtually on Zoom.
Get more information on How to Apply for a Board or Commission.
Modern Aviation recognizes Women in Aviation
 The women of Modern Aviation Seattle, from left to right: Chris Fudge, Active U.S. Airforce Reserve Air Transport, Student Pilot, Line Service Technician; Rachel Manning, Assistant Line Service Manager; Angie Villafane, Former U.S. Navy, Avionics Tech., Line Service Technician; April Dobbs, Student Pilot, Line Service Technician; Christina Peters, Customer Service Manager; Megan Birkel, Student Pilot, Customer Service Representative; Ella
Aubert, Customer Service Representative; Alyssa Martin, Customer Service Representative; Chitwan Kaur, Army National Guard, Customer Service Supervisor
Not pictured: Kyla Flynn, Customer Service Supervisor; Nykeyra Smith, Customer Service Representative; Heather Paterson, Student Pilot, Customer Service Representative
Excerpted from a submission by Modern Aviation
Women of Aviation Week (“WOAW”) is celebrated annually and this year it was held from March 4 - 10. WOAW is a global aviation awareness week held for women and young girls to commemorate the issuance of the first female pilot’s license, which took place in 1910. WOAW is also a means to address gender discrimination in the aviation industry. Women in aviation have come a long way in defying gender stereotypes and excelling in their roles.
Modern Aviation encourages women to pursue education and training in aviation-related fields and goes a step further to promote diversity and ensuring equal opportunities at all levels.
Meet two aviation professionals at Modern Aviation
Rachel Manning, Assistant Line Service Manager
Manning started by getting her private pilot's license and sought an entry-level job in aviation, so that she could see what her options were.
“When I first was going for the Line Tech position, I was a bit nervous to be in such a male-dominated industry,” Manning said. “I was worried that I didn’t have a mechanical or much of an aviation background and that I would have a harder time understanding the work. There were other women who started around the same time as I did who had similar feelings. But we supported each other and received support from our male co-workers.”
Manning’s advice to young women is “Don’t talk yourself out of things. I went a long time thinking that I wasn’t smart enough to be a pilot, wouldn’t be good enough at math, didn’t come from a family with money, etc. The list of excuses went on. Recognize your interests early on and learn about your options.”
Meet Kylie Griffin, Pilot
Griffin is originally from Denver, CO. She started flying with her grandpa at four years old in his homebuilt Challenger II, which sparked her love for flying. At 15, Kylie started flying lessons with her parents' support at F70 (French Valley Airport) in Southern California. She continued her flight training in Scotsdale, Arizona and in Denver, Colorado.
“My flying career began as an aerial survey pilot. I then flew Cessna 172s, 206s, and 207s for
San Juan Airlines in Bellingham, and finally as a first officer on a PC-12 NG and a Hawker 800 for two separate 135 companies” Griffin said. “I now fly a Pilatus PC-12 for a private family. While growing up, my dream was to fly for Southwest Airlines. But after my introduction to business aviation, I found a real passion for that environment and thrived in it. My dream job for the last eight years has been to fly a part 91 PC-12, which I am currently doing! I truly enjoy this position and have found so much joy and balance in this work."
Three employees become AAAE ACE Trusted Agents
 Left to right: Narain Gambir, Operations Specialist; Ellen Knowlen, Executive Assistant; and Joshua Markovich, Operations Specialist, recently were certified as Trusted Agents.
King County International Airport congratulates Narain Gambir, Operations Specialist; Ellen Knowlen, Executive Assistant; and Joshua Markovich, Operations Specialist; for their successful completion of the Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Trusted Agent course provided by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). The Trusted Agent course is designed to provide a thorough knowledge base for individuals who work in airport badging. As the primary team who oversee the Airport’s badge office, Ellen, Joshua, and Narain are now better equipped to stay on top of evolving airport security requirements, while continuing to provide a world class experience for our tenants and visitors.
Ginny Justiniano becomes Certified Procurement Professional
Congratulations to Ginny Justiniano, contract specialist for the airport’s Finance and Administrative Services group, who recently earned the prestigious NIGP Certified Procurement Professional certification (NIGP-CPP). Justiniano is one of the 1,358 procurement leaders to earn this distinguished NIGP-CPP.
The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc., dubbed NIGP: the Institute for Public Procurement, supports public procurement practitioners. The NIGP-CPP program is the only certification that is anchored in the Public Procurement Competency Framework, rooted in research produced by the Volcker Alliance that seeks effective public service through workforce competencies. It integrates with NIGP’s Pathways program, assessing 43 technical competencies within seven focus areas. And it expands beyond public procurement’s technical aspects and assesses the more holistic competencies needed to be successful leader within a public entity, embracing elements of leadership, business principles, and procurement strategy.
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Dave Decoteau receives international accreditation from ACI
 Dave Decoteau, deputy director of KCIA, received his International Airport Professional (IAP) accreditation from Airports Council International last month in Miami, Florida. Decoteau is in the photo above, third from left.
The Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP) is an executive development program for airport managers worldwide that promotes the adherence to the highest professional standards, covering all functional areas of the airport business. Graduates earn the International Airport Professional (IAP) Designation.
Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Noise Study
Project Advisory Committee to meet in April
King County International Airport (KCIA) is making progress on the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Noise Study updates. The project team is working on the airport inventory and the aviation activity forecast. This technical work involves meetings with airport staff and tenants to collect information about existing facilities and operations at KCIA to support inventory work. The aviation activity forecast documents existing information about aviation activity and projects how KCIA activity will evolve over the next 10 to 20 years based on trends in the region and across the aviation industry.
In addition, the project team is organizing an advisory committee to provide input on the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Noise Study projects. The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) members will represent local city and neighborhood councils, businesses, airport tenants, labor unions, the Federal Aviation Administration and KCIA staff. PRR and airport staff developed a list of organizations as a part of the project community participation plan. Invitations to these organizations will be sent in the next few weeks. PAC members will be asked to engage in discussion and opportunities for input throughout both projects as well as share information and with their respective organizations.
The PAC is expected to hold its first meeting in April. The agenda will include project introductions and a discussion of a PAC Charter. PAC roles will be established in collaboration with committee members and study processes will be outlined. Additionally, there will be discussion and opportunity for input on the goals and objectives for the Vision 2045 Airport Plan. The first meeting will also help to lay the groundwork for a public open house later this spring, focused on introducing the Vision 2045 Airport Plan project and collecting feedback on goals and objectives.
KCIA plans to hold PAC meetings quarterly and at key milestones throughout the Vision 2045 Airport Plan and Part 150 Noise Study projects. PAC meeting materials, including summaries of input shared, will be available on the project website following each meeting. The website is expected to launch this spring.
Interested parties are encouraged to learn more about both planning projects through frequent website and email updates, small group interviews, a public open house and e-newsletters. If you have questions or would like to learn more about these projects, please contact KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov.
KCIA cultivates Raisbeck Aviation High School partnership
Edited submission by Isaiah Fu and Brandon Dean
Raisbeck Aviation High School
 Above, Raisbeck students visit KCIA in April 2022.
How do students discover new careers in the aviation industry? One way that students are able to do this is through the collaborative efforts between schools and the King County International Airport (KCIA). This year’s upcoming annual project with KCIA will aim to give the students at Raisbeck Aviation High School (RAHS) a new understanding of the aviation industry, providing them with career opportunities and real-world experience to help them pursue their goals.
KCIA created the capstone project with Raisbeck Aviation High School (RAHS) in 2021.
“The capstone project stemmed from my involvement with RAHS Career and Technical Education advisory board,” said Eric Miller, Capital Project Manager at KCIA. “The CTE team expressed the school’s desire to develop a more project-based curriculum and it was a great opportunity for KCIA to partner with RAHS since both organizations are so close to each other.”
Approximately two years ago, Graham, now a senior, worked on one of the capstone projects that let students learn about how 100-year rainfall affects airports. Although quite a challenge for Graham and other students, this research provided an opportunity for him to expand his aviation knowledge and eventually help him land an opportunity to work at the Port of Seattle at SeaTac.
Through the KCIA partnership, students have the opportunity to get hands-on learning experiences such as field trips and tours.
“The tour allows students to see how the airport operates firsthand and incorporate that into their capstone project,” Miller said. Collaborative projects also expose students to real-life learning experiences.
“We took a tour and the kids loved it and they felt really good about it,” said Dr. Dana Carmichael, a teacher at Raisbeck. “They got to see how the fire trucks worked and how King County works.”
Carmichael added that the high quality of the students’ presentations impressed airport staff so much that it sold them on the partnership.
“KCIA is committed to investing in our communities and next generations,” Miller added. “Working with RAHS and other educational institutions has allowed us to share the amazing world of airports and help students find internships and continue to develop their professional network.”
By engaging in unique learning experiences with projects and field trips, students at RAHS can deepen their knowledge and spark a passion for pursuing careers in the aviation industry.
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