2026 Annual Conference

Sunday, March 29, 2026

11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Registration

12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Board Meeting

Luncheon sponsored by 

1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Setup

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Committee Meetings

5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception—Hilton Downtown, 23rd Floor

Monday, March 30, 2026

8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Registration—Event Center

8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast

8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Keynote Address

Hear from airline executive leadership on workforce strategy, the evolving demands of modern airline maintenance operations, and the critical role collaboration between education and industry plays in building a resilient, highly skilled aviation maintenance workforce for the future.

Andy Schneider, CEO and President, Horizon Air

9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Welcome and Exhibitor Spotlight

A fast-paced introduction to exhibitors and the products, services, and opportunities they bring to aviation technician education.

James Hall, ATEC President & Vice President, Aviation and Workforce Development, WSU Tech

9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Networking Break

Sponsored by

10:00 - 10:30 a.m.

What Have We Done for You Lately

Get an overview from council leadership on initiatives, accomplishments, and ongoing work undertaken on behalf of members. Panelists will highlight progress across advocacy, education, workforce development, and member services, and share how these efforts are delivering value to schools, employers, and partners. Attendees will gain insight into current priorities, upcoming initiatives, and opportunities to engage with and help shape ATEC’s work in the year ahead.

Panelists:

Jared Britt, Legislative Committee Chair & President, Aviation Education Academy

Rhonda Cooper, ATEC ACS Working Group Lead

Kelly Filgo, Director of Operations, Choose Aerospace

Sean Gallagan, Regulatory Committee Chair & Chief Executive Officer, Aviation Workforce Solutions

Michael Sasso, ATEC Academy Co-Facilitator & Aviation Maintenance Chief, Aims Community College

Archie Vega, ATEC Conference Committee Chair & Director of Maintenance and Development, Horizon Air

Moderator: Crystal Maguire, Executive Director, ATEC

10:30 - 11:30 p.m.

Session I: Understanding the Pipeline — Data, Drivers, and What Comes Next

Join a moderated discussion that goes beyond the data to explore what it means for aviation maintenance education and workforce planning. Drawing on the latest findings from ATEC’s Pipeline Report, panelists will examine trends, underlying drivers, and consider how schools and industry are experiencing these challenges on the ground.

Speakers:

Etain Connor, Director of Community Affairs, FEAM AERO

Livia Hayes, Director, Oliver Wyman Vector

Deja Hubbard, Director Talent Acquisition Outreach, Alaska Airlines

Suzanne Markle, President/CEO, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

Moderator: Sean Broderick, Senior Air Transport & Safety Editor, Aviation Week

Industry and school rep

11:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Awards Luncheon

Sponsored by

Honoring the Educator of the Year, Student of the Year, Choose Aerospace Teacher of the Year, and recipients of the Choose Aerospace SkillPointe Scholarship, celebrating outstanding achievement, dedication, and impact within the aviation technician community.

Emcees: 

Ryan Goertzen, President, Choose Aerospace

Melissa Mullinix, Director of Scholarships, SkillPointe Foundation

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Session II: Bridging the Gap: Plane Talk

Employers share candid insight into skill gaps, professionalism, and workforce readiness in entry-level technicians.

Panelists:

Scott Colling, Director, Tech Ops Training Programs, Southwest Airlines

Jessica Istas, Director, Aftermarket Environmental Health and Safety, U.S. Academia and Community Relations, Bombardier

Mike Rothlein, Director Talent Management, NORDAM

Archie Vega, Director of Maintenance and Development, Horizon Air

Scott Colling, Director, Tech Ops Training Programs, Southwest Airlines (not invited)

Mike Rothlein, Director Talent Management, NORDAM (invited)

Nick Fleming, Manager, Aircraft Line MX-MEM, FedEx (invited)

Moderator: Justin W. Madden, Vice President, Safety and Technical Operations, Airlines for America

2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Networking Break

Sponsored by

3:00 p.m.

Bus Departs for Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Session III: Leadership Perspectives in Maintenance Operations

A senior-level discussion on airline maintenance strategy, workforce development, and future challenges and opportunities.

Panelists:

Baron Converse, Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering, Horizon Air

Nathan Engel, Vice President of Maintenance Operations, Alaska Airlines

Andy Schneider, CEO & President, Horizon Air

Carlos Zendejas, Senior Vice President of Operations, Horizon Air

Moderator: Archie Vega, Director of Maintenance and Development, Horizon Air

5:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Dinner & Reception—Under the Spruce Goose

sponsored by

7:30 p.m.

Bus Returns to Hilton Downtown

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast

Sponsored by

8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Welcome & Keynote Address

Begin the day with remarks from our host institution, highlighting their commitment to aviation and aerospace workforce education.

Dr. Adrien L. Bennings, President, Portland Community College

Dr. Jennifer Ernst, Vice President, Academic Affairs, Portland Community College

9:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m.

Networking Break

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

A. Policy

B. Systems

C. Instruction

D. Pathways

9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.

Breakout A.1. Airman Certification & Safety Update

Breakout B.1. NASA & CAET

Breakout C.1. Defining the AMT Skillset

Breakout D.1. Discover Choose Aerospace

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Breakout A.2. Tracking Student Certification Outcomes

Breakout B.2. Advancing ATEC Legislative Priorities

Breakout C.2. Modernizing the Mechanic ACS

Breakout D.2. Building High School Pathways

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Lunch sponsored by

Janet Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, PSI

1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m.

Breakout A.3. Modernizing Airman Testing Systems

Breakout B.3. Early Pipeline Development & CTE Engagement

Breakout C.3. Measuring Soft Skills Effectively

Breakout D.3. AMTS Leveraging Choose Aerospace

2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

Breakout A.4. Strengthening Oral & Practical Testing

Breakout B.4. Industry–Airport Partnership Models

Breakout C.4. AR & VR in Classrooms

Breakout D.4. Employer-Based Training Pathways

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Breakout A.5. Delegation Program Updates

Breakout B.5. Expanding Early Work-Based Learning

Breakout C.5. Electric Propulsion Instruction

Breakout D.5. Launching an A&P School

4:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Exhibitor Door Prizes

5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Evening Reception—Punch Bowl at Pioneer Square Mall, 3rd Floor

Join us for a relaxed evening of networking and fun featuring a buffet dinner, open bar, bowling, karaoke, shuffleboard, arcade games, and Snap-on’s annual Trivia Challenge.

Sponsored by

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

10:00 a.m.

Bus Departs Hilton Downtown

10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Horizon Air Operations Center Tour & Lunch

1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Bus drop at Airport, Hilton Downtown, and Deschutes Brewery

2:00 p.m.

Wrap Party—Deschutes Brewery

Thursday, April 2, 2026

8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

ATEC Academy—PCC CLIMB Center, 1626 Southeast Water Ave

Navigate the classroom with confidence! This two-day session kicks off an immersive three-month training course intended to equip new educators with essential teaching tools. Separate registration required.

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner Recurrent Training Seminar—PCC CLIMB Center, 1626 Southeast Water Ave, Room 302-303

Required recurrent training for designated mechanic examiners, presented by the FAA. Advanced and separate registration with the FAA is required.

Friday, April 3, 2026

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

ATEC Academy—CLIMB Center