2025 National Airport Economic Development Conference Speakers

April 22 - April 24, 2025

         Rachel Barth, C.M.
                                                     

Director of Marketing & Air Service | Aviation Trailblazer | Cornhusker at Heart

Rachel Barth grew up in the small town of Bennet, Nebraska, where her big dreams took off faster than a jet on a clear runway. She pursued higher education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a bachelor’s degree in advertising and a master’s degree in marketing and communications. While her career has soared through various industries, it’s in aviation where Rachel found her ultimate passion—and plenty of turbulence to conquer.

Since joining the Lincoln Airport Authority in 2020, Rachel has made her mark in ways that have truly elevated the LNK experience. She earned her Certified Member Designation from AAAE, launched the wildly popular LNK Drive-In Movie Program, and helped land LNK as the official airport of the Nebraska Huskers. Her innovation and leadership haven’t gone unnoticed—she was named one of Airport Business’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2023.

Rachel is also a proud member of Women in Aviation’s Cornhusker Chapter, where she works to inspire and empower women navigating a male-dominated field. She sits on several industry boards, loves volunteering in her community and of course enjoying life on her family acreage raising her two boys. Her mantra? Challenges are just opportunities in disguise. She believes in standing up for yourself, lifting others along the way, and building a community that helps everyone soar.

Thanks to Rachel’s creativity, dedication, and flair for connecting with people, the Lincoln Airport isn’t just a stop on the map—it’s a thriving hub for the community and a testament to how high ambition can take you.

Ryan M. Bauer, C.M., ACE

Airport Development Manager | Fort Wayne--Allen County Airport Authority 

Ryan Bauer was born and raised in Portland, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Psychology. Ryan then had the opportunity to explore his interest in aviation graduating from Western Michigan University with a BS in Aviation Science and Administration. While at WMU, Ryan earned his Private Pilot certificate and Instrument Rating. Since 2011, he has held various airport management positions at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Airport, Battle Creek Executive Airport, Midland International Airport, and Fort Wayne International Airport.

Ryan is currently the Airport Development Manager with the Fort Wayne Allen County Airport Authority, serving both Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field Airport. His responsibilities include overseeing land development, market research, business attraction, leasing of airport facilities, and promotion of the airport. Previously, Ryan served as the Airport Operations Supervisor where he led airport staff towards earning "zero discrepancies" findings from the FAA nine years consecutively.      

When Ryan isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Alicia, taking his dog Luna on walks, as an active pilot and Board Member in the Back Forty Flying Club, as an avid Detroit Red Wings fan, and eating pizza whenever possible.

 

Burdette (Pete) Fullerton, PhD, CEcD

Deputy Director - Kansas City Aviation Department 

Burdette (Pete) Fullerton is the Deputy Director for Commercial Properties & Development with the Kansas City Aviation Department, a position he has served over the last year. He has been with the Aviation Department since 2015. The Commercial Properties & Development Department within the Kansas City Aviation Department works to increase revenues for the department through existing building/terminal leases and real estate development. Pete has been a Community Economic Development professional in Kansas City for over 35 years. Before coming to the Aviation Department, Pete served as President/CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City and Executive Director of the Platte County Economic Development Council in Kansas City, Missouri. In his career, Pete has participated in the completion of projects that have directly invested over $5 billion, which currently employ over 10,000 in Kansas City. 

Pete, in 2017, earned his Doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi in Human Capital Development with the publication of his dissertation, The Effects of Tax Increment Financing on Assessed Land Values. Pete attended Texas A&M University and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri.  Pete has earned certifications as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Professional Community Economic Developer (PCED), Certified Return on Investment Professional (CRP), Certified Professional Coach (CPC), and Certified Executive Coach (CEC).

Additionally, Pete is Past Chairman with the economic development industry associations, the Southern Economic Development Council and the Missouri Economic Development Council.

 

                      Steven Osit
Steven Osit represents public entities throughout the United States with respect to the development and operation of airports. Having previously served multiple posts within the U.S. Department of Transportation, Steven counsels clients on a wide range of federal regulatory matters and the negotiation of complex airport transactions. He frequently represents clients in administrative and judicial litigation arising from regulatory compliance, contract disputes, accident investigations, and the review of federal agency actions and rulemakings. Steven has served as the Chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Transportation Section and on the Airports Council International-North America Legal Affairs Committee’s Steering Group, and currently serves on the Editorial Board of the American Bar Association's Air and Space Lawyer.  Steven is a certificated private pilot.  Steven graduated cum laude from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and subsequently obtained his Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
            Mark Fletcher
As the Director of Business Development for Paradies Lagardere, Mark is responsible for working with our airport partners and operations teams to develop/implement growth strategy in key markets.  He has held a number of company leadership roles over the past 10+ years in both the support center and field.  Some of his experience includes overseeing airport operations in ATL & JFK, company operations support, and directing business transformation/systems initiatives.  Mark is committed to delivering exceptional dining and retail experiences that will drive revenue growth in his markets.