The Vision

 

Aviation Aerospace Women of Excellence is a research and book project spearheaded by a group of female leaders in the aviation and aerospace industries. We each have our own stories, and we wanted to find out how our industries can continue to attract, recruit, and retain women at all levels of the industries.

What challenges do women face when entering these fields? What helps them succeed?

To answer these questions, we wanted to head straight to the source: you.

This project aims to answer questions such as:

  • What helps women get into the aviation and aerospace industries?
  • What are the challenges specific to our roles?
  • What prevents women from obtaining higher positions?
  • What helps women move into positions of leadership?
  • What education, certifications and support groups have helped women succeed in their careers?

Your stories matter, and we want to hear your experiences on the front lines of aviation and aerospace excellence.

Every journey requires a map, and your stories create that map for current and future women in aviation and aerospace.

This research gives guidance to industry researchers and academics who want to expand their knowledge of workforce development among women in aviation and aerospace.

Our goal is also to provide future scholarships for women studying in aviation and aerospace fields. Proceeds from the sale and sponsorship of this book will provide assistance to women who may need help finishing a few college hours toward her degree, or a few extra flight hours to earn her license.

To support this valuable research, we have many sponsorship opportunities for corporations and private donors. Please contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities.

Aviation Women of Excellence is a project of the Texas Aviation Conservancy, a non-profit 501c3 organization. TAC President Shelly deZevallos formed the group with an idea to promote and encourage aviation and aerospace education. Aviation Women of Excellence book proceeds will be used toward scholarships for women in aviation and aerospace.

 

Women with Vision - The Editorial Board

Shelly deZevallos, Ed.D.

A fifth generation Texan, Shelly deZevallos grew up sweeping hangars at her family’s growing airport. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas, her EMBA from Texas A&M and her Doctor of Education in Aviation and Space Science from Oklahoma State University.

She is an active pilot and airplane owner with her glider, SEL and MEL ratings along with her IFR and commercial certificate. With more than 4,000 hours of flight time, she began her career with Cessna and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Her passion for the industry led her to begin a comprehensive research project on women in the aviation and aerospace industries. Launched in 2019, the Aviation Aerospace Women of Excellence project (www.avawe.org) brings together women from all areas of flight. Proceeds from the sale of a book about the project will be used toward scholarships for women pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace.  

DeZevallos is president of West Houston Airport, a privately owned, public use general aviation airport. She sits on the board of directors for the National Business Aviation Association and on the board of advisors for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board Government Interrelations Committee, and she is a founding member of Texans for General Aviation. She has served the Houston area as a committee member on the Houston-Galveston Area Council and as a board member of The Woman’s Club of Houston. She has also been involved in numerous charitable efforts, including the Girl Scouts of America and World Vision.

 

Rhonda C. Arnold, J.D.

Rhonda C. Arnold is the Houston Airport System Chief Community Affairs Officer. Ms. Arnold promotes Houston Airports and their economic importance by maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with the business community with emphasis on diversity and inclusion. A board member of the Women in Transportation—Houston Chapter and a former recipient of their Woman of the Year Award, she enthusiastically works on several community boards and civic organizations, including the Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Corporate Community Relations Council of Houston.

Ms. Arnold was selected as the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce 2017 Trailblazer. The Houston Chronicle named her as one of the 2016 Top 30 Houston Business Women to Watch. Additionally, she was a 2016 and 2018 Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference Distinguished Panelist Advocate for minority business participation in aviation and beyond. Ms. Arnold holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Texas and a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

 

Aura Austin

In the grand scheme of her life, Aura Austin is new to the aviation industry.  Since becoming a pilot in 2017, Aura has obtained all her ratings to include commercial SEL and MEL as well as CFI, CFII and MEI. She has flown herself in five countries as an international ferry pilot and is a full-time flight instructor training the next generation of pilots in Mankato, Minnesota.  Aura is passionate about aviation and a powerful advocate for advancing women in the aviation industry.  She was the performance coordinator for the 2019 Minnesota Air Spectacular.  Aura is a trained life coach and holds a BA in Spanish and mass communications with a concentration in public relations from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

 

 

Elizabeth Blome

Ms. Elizabeth Blome has worked at the Johnson Space Center for over 20 years.  Elizabeth has held numerous positions during her tenure, including working as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller in mission control and as a Space Station instructor, teaching astronauts and flight controllers.  Furthermore, she has been responsible for delivering NASA cargo to the International Partners for launch to the ISS.  She also has been an Extravehicular Activity Flight Increment Manager, responsible for coordinating and managing spacewalks from the United States airlock on the International Space Station.   Elizabeth is currently a member of the Commercial Crew Program, working to help launch astronauts from U.S. soil again. 

Elizabeth earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M and a MS in Space Studies from the International Space University.  She grew up in Dallas, Texas. 

 

 

Shannon Chambers

Shannon Chambers is the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Vice President of Marketing and Communications. In this role, Chambers leads NATA’s strategic and creative flow of marketing, initiatives, and member communications. She also serves as Editor of the Association’s quarterly publication, the Aviation Business Journal, and supports the Association’s meetings and events.

Chambers has served NATA members for the past 12 years in varying roles spanning marketing, membership, communications, and public relations. While at NATA, Chambers has worked to establish www.nata.aero as the members’ primary resource for news, services, and training. She has also been responsible for launching the Association’s social media presence, the development of the Aviation Business Journal, and assisting in the successful promotion of industry-standard programs such as the Safety 1st Training Center and its predecessor, the NATA Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training (PLST Online).

Prior to NATA, Shannon served as Director of Membership and Marketing for the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), where she was responsible for the direction of membership efforts, redesign of NAA’s Web site, and served as Editor of AERO Magazine.

Chambers began her extensive career in association management with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, where she was responsible for coordinating exhibits and exhibitor services at the world’s largest amusement industry trade show with over 1,200 exhibitors and 30,000 attendees.

Shannon is a member of Women in Aviation International and is on the Editorial Board for the Aviation Aerospace Women of Excellence. She holds a master’s degree in business from Strayer University and a bachelor’s degree in English from George Mason University. Chambers is currently working toward earning her Certified Association Executive credential.

 

 

Christine Gerencher

Christine (Christy) Gerencher joined the Transportation Research Board (TRB) staff in 2005 as a Senior Program Officer for Aviation and Environment in their Technical Activities Division. She manages the nine committees within the Aviation Group and the eight committees within the Environment and Energy Section within the organization as well as provides support for TRB’s sponsors. Prior to joining TRB, Christy worked in the corporate environmental department of American Airlines, where she was responsible for both domestic and international noise and air quality issues for the company. Previous to her time at American, she worked for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as a manager of airport policy and also was a consultant in the environmental practice of Landrum Brown, Inc., an airport planning firm. Christy graduated with a BS in aviation management and flight and an MPA with an aviation concentration from Southern Illinois University and has been an active pilot for more years than she currently cares to admit.

 

 

Becky Lutte, PhD

Dr. Becky Lutte is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute. Her degrees include a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; MPA and PhD, University of Nebraska at Omaha. A former regional airline pilot, Dr. Lutte is a commercial pilot, CFII, MEI and active in the general aviation community. Dr. Lutte specializes in online education course development and delivery. Her research interests are in the area of aviation policy and workforce to include pilot supply, outreach, and underrepresented groups in the aviation workforce.