A deeper understanding
of the airport business

OPS1 is a next-generation solution purpose-built to help airports streamline inspections, Part 139 compliance, operations, and safety management.

At TADERA, we are proud that nearly 10% of our staff began their career working in airports across the country - making them true experts on the challenges facing airport staff across the country. To celebrate Women's History Month, we sat down with the incredible women on Team TADERA to hear more about their journeys as women in aviation.

Kelly Akhund works on TADERA's FAA team, providing research, verification, and validation involving collected/distributed airport data for the FAA’s Airports Engineering Division. Prior to joining TADERA, she worked as a pilot and flight instructor, did policy and research for the FAA, and  managed the Airport Inspection 5010 program for the state of Minnesota.

In our conversation, Kelly shares:

  • How she first became interested in aviation, and the many directions her career has taken over the years
  • Her most memorable moment from her time as a pilot
  • Her advice for someone looking to pursue a career in aviation
  • Challenges she has faced as a woman in aviation, and how her role models and mentors have helped her progress
  • How her experience as a pilot influenced other aspects of her life
  • How she and her husband (who's also a pilot) reacted when her son told them he might not want to be a pilot when he grows up
  • Her favorite in-flight snack

 

Key Takeaways  

U.S. airspace is extremely complex: The United States manages about 16.5 million flights per year, making it the largest air traffic system in the world.

Infrastructure is aging: Many air traffic control towers and systems are 30–40 years old, contributing to rising equipment failures and delays.

Modernization is urgent: Equipment-related flight delays in 2025 were reported to be 300% higher than the historical average.

BNX will replace core ATC systems: The FAA plans a full modernization of radar, telecommunications, facilities, and software across the national airspace system.

Investment could exceed $30 billion: The program is expected to deploy tens of thousands of new systems nationwide.

Small businesses still have opportunities: Federal contracting programs and aviation industry events can help new companies enter the aviation ecosystem. 

Transcript

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.

Introduction 

Alain Tremblay: 

Welcome to the Aviation Report, a show focused on conversations with the people shaping how aviation actually works. We explore topics ranging from aviation policy and governance to technology and day-to-day operational systems.

I’m Alain Tremblay. Throughout my career I’ve worked across complex software systems, helping organizations navigate modernization, operational complexity, and technological change.

Today’s conversation comes at a critical moment for aviation. Passenger demand continues to grow, infrastructure is aging, and the national aerospace system is being asked to operate more efficiently and intelligently while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Much of this work happens behind the scenes through leadership, data systems, and the organizations responsible for long-term aviation planning.

Our guest today is Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, an organization that plays an important role in advancing air traffic management across the United States.

Through her work, she has been deeply involved in the systems, data platforms, and leadership structures that support the FAA and the broader aviation ecosystem.

In this conversation, we explore Dawn’s career journey, how technology is transforming air traffic management, and what effective leadership looks like during a period of rapid aviation transformation.