November-December 2022 - 56

Age: 38
Employer: South
Bend International
Airport
Hometown:
Carrollton, VA
Alma Mater: Roanoke
College; Hampton
University; Purdue
University
Ashley P. Thorsen, C.M.,
Operations Manager, South Bend International Airport
Ashley P. Thorsen, C.M., worked as an intern at the
Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) Air Traffic Control
(ATC) Tower, while working on her associates degree in
air traffic and aviation management from Hampton University
in Virginia and getting her student pilot certificate.
Becoming an air traffic controller was a dream of hers so
she went to Oklahoma City to complete the FAA training
program, however things didn't go as planned. When an
evaluation didn't end in her favor, she was back to square
one. A classmate who also didn't get through the academy
inspired her to work in the RDU ramp tower, where she
was quickly promoted to supervisor.
At the snow desk with the operations team, she became
interested in operations. As an operations officer, she led
multiple projects, including one with American Airlines
to improve the remain overnight parking system for the
Terminal 1 ramp.
When she saw an opportunity to advance her career as the
operations manager at South Bend International Airport
(SBN), she moved.
" Every day is different, every problem is diverse, and
In addition to her day-to-day work, Thorsen is a leader
of initiatives such as Aviation Education Day, the Safety
Management System Program, and the Employee Appreciation
Committee. She serves on the Great Lakes
Chapter AAAE Academic Relations and Operations &
Maintenance Conference committees and is a member
of the NEC International Snow Symposium Committee,
Women in Aviation, and The Ninety-Nines.
" Any type of negative thing that I've approached in my
entire life, I've always tried to put a encouraging spin on it
and make people feel invested and important in anything
they do, " she said. " I can't be a good leader without my
team and without all the ideas from all the people that
work for me. So, just knowing I build people up personally
and professionally to get to where they want to go makes
me happy. It makes me feel like I've done my job well. "
www.AviationPros.com/21277640
working as a team to find the solution and seeing a plan
come to fruition is the coolest, " said Thorsen, who holds a
Master of Science in Aerospace and Aviation Management
from Purdue University.
Age: 30
Employer: Fayetteville
Regional Airport
Hometown:
Detroit, MI
Alma Mater:
Tennessee State
University; EmbryRiddle
Aeronautical
University
Deontae K. Watson, MBA, A.A.E.,
Deputy Airport Director, Fayetteville Regional Airport
Deontae Watson currently serves as a deputy airport
director at the Fayetteville Regional Airport, responsible
for managing airport operations, maintenance, safety,
public services, finances and administration.
" I mostly enjoy how natural my position comes, it shows
that airport management is my passion, " He said. " I feel
as if I have the best job in the world. I'm able to manage
airport finance, airport planning & development, airport
engineering, airport operations, airport maintenance,
airport law, airport marketing, and airport revenue. Even
more, my place of work has a family environment and
my colleagues are team-oriented, which is why we've
been successful with completing a $21 million Terminal
Renovation Phase I and are in the midst of wrapping up
with Terminal Renovation Phase II with a project cost
of $33 million. "
His early interest in pursuing this type of career stems from
his undergraduate time at Tennessee State University,
studying aeronautical & industrial technology with a minor
in aviation management. After graduating with his Bachelor
of Science degree, Watson obtained an MBA in aviation
finance from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
56 \ AIRPORT BUSINESS / NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
Looking to the future, Watson said he would like to see
airports continue to work together, work with regulatory
and with airlines to support travelers.
" I would also like to see more educational programs
offered by airports to spark interest in the aerospace
workforce for our leaders of tomorrow, " he said. " The
Fayetteville Regional Airport noticed a decline not only in
pilots but in our industry entirely, therefore, we hosted a
four-day Aviation Career Education Academy to introduce
the various careers available in our industry. In my daily
walk of life, I incorporate unselfish living and make it
my duty to lift others as I climb. I want to be able to
indirectly support aviation recruitment efforts by being
an industry educator as needed and continue to be an
aviation education advocate. "
www.AviationPros.com/21277634
Recently, Watson was nominated to serve on the board
of directors of the North Carolina Airports Association
where he will help support the growth and sustainability
of the 72 airports in the statewide aviation system.
http://www.AviationPros.com/21277640 http://www.AviationPros.com/21277634
November-December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November-December 2022
