Previous Activity of the ACAA Advisory Committee

September 2024 - August 2025

Section 541 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (2024 FAA Act) extended the statutory authorization to September 30, 2028. In September 2024, the Department appointed 20 members to serve on the ACAA Advisory Committee.

Previous Members

• Zainab Alkebsi, Deaf Equality, as representative of national disability organizations
• Heather Ansley, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as co-chair and representative of national veterans organization representing disabled veterans 
• Chris Brown, National Air Carrier Association, as representative of air carriers 
• Amy Claire Brusch, Airports Council International - North America, as representative of airport operators 
• Albert Elia, National Federation of the Blind, as representative of national disability organizations
• Michele Erwin, All Wheels Up, as representative of national disability organizations 
• Grace Fisher, as a representative of passengers with disabilities
• Mark Greig, Sunrise Medical, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers 
• Graham Keithley, Airlines for America, as representative of air carriers 
• Roland Mair, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as representative of aircraft manufacturers 
• Paige Mazzoni, Canine Companions, as representative of national disability organizations 
• William McCabe, K9 for Warriors, as representative of national disability organizations
• Sheila O’Brien, Assistance Dogs International North America, as representative of national disability organizations 
• Nobuyo Reinsch, Regional Airline Association, as representative of air carriers 
• Linda Ristagno, International Air Transport Association, as co-chair and representative of air carriers 
• Pierre-Antoine Senes, Airbus, as representative of aircraft manufacturers 
• Neil Snyder, Hearing Loss Association of America, as representative of national disability organizations 
• Jo Ann Storie, Prospect Airport Services, Inc., as representative of contract service providers 
• Isaiah Wilson, Service Employees International Union, as representative of labor organizations
  representing airport workers
• Christopher Witkowski, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, as representative of flight attendants

September 2019 - February 2022

In September 2019, the Department established the ACAA Advisory Committee, approved its charter, and appointed 19 members to serve on the ACAA Advisory Committee . The Committee held public meetings in March 2020 and September 2021 and submitted a report with a number of recommendations to the Department in February 2022.

Committee Report to the Secretary of Transportation

• Final ACAA Advisory Committee Report (February 4, 2022)

Past Committee Meetings

• First Meeting: March 2020
• Second Meeting: September 2021

Previous Members

• Michelle Albert, Interior Technical Fellow, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, as representative of aircraft manufacturers. 
• Zainab Alkebsi, Policy Counsel, National Association of the Deaf, as representative of national disability organizations.
• Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as representative of national veterans’ organizations representing disabled veterans.
• Dana Folsom, Corporate Compliance Disability Program Manager, Delta Air Lines, as representative of air carriers.
• Mark Greig, Vice President of Research and Development, Sunrise Medical, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers.
• E. Keith Hansen, Vice President, Airports and Government Affairs, Allegiant Air, as representative of air carriers.
• Doug Lavin, Vice President, North America, International Air Transport Association, as representative of air carriers.
• Nicholas LiBassi, Vice President, Partnership Expansion, United Spinal Association, as representative of national disability organizations.
• Paige Mazzoni, Chief Executive Officer, Canine Companions for Independence, as representative of national disability organizations.
• Paul Melmeyer, Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy, Muscular Dystrophy Association, as representative of national disability organizations.
• Doug Mullen, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Airlines for America, as representative of air carriers.
• Pablo Nüesch, Deputy General Counsel, Airports Council International – North America, as representative of airport operators. 
• Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, American Council of the Blind, as representative of national disability organizations.
• Ramakant Rambhatla, Vice President of Engineering and Chief Engineer, Invacare Corporation, as representative of wheelchair manufacturers.
• Gregory Reed, Advisor and Member, Disabled American Veterans, as representative of national veterans’ organizations representing disabled veterans.
• Lawrence Rolon, ADA Coordinator, Ontario International Airport, as representative of airport operators.
• James Sinocchi as representative of passengers with disabilities and chair of the ACAA Advisory Committee.
• Claire Stanley, Public Policy Analyst, National Disability Rights Network, as representative of national disability organizations.
• Jo Ann Storie, Senior Vice President of Risk Management, Prospect Airport Services, as representative of contract service providers.