Keynote Speakers
Robert Pearce
Title: to be provided
Abstract: to be provided
Biography. Bob Pearce is the Deputy Director of the Next Generation Air Transportation System Joint Planning
and Development Office (JPDO). This unique, interagency office is tasked with developing and implementing a national
plan to transform the air transportation system to meet the long-term transportation needs of the nation.
Previously, Bob was in charge of strategy and program development for NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
where he led the Directorate's strategic management efforts. Bob was a leader in transforming NASA'92s Aeronautics
strategy and developing program strategies in critical areas such as aviation safety, aviation system capacity, and small
aircraft transportation. Bob holds a BS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University and an MS in
Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Karlin Roth Toner
Title: to be provided
Abstract: to be provided
Biography. Dr. Toner is responsible for the overall planning, management and evaluation of the
NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate's research efforts in developing concepts, capabilities,
and technologies for high-capacity, efficient, and safe airspace and airportal systems. In addition, she
supports the Associate Administrator in a broad range of Mission Directorate activities including strategic
and program planning and external coordination, particularly with the Nation's Joint Planning and
Development Office. Toner came to Headquarters from the NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.,
where she served as the Associate Director for Aeronautics. While at NASA Ames, she also served as a faculty
member in San Jose State University's Aerospace Engineering Department.Toner earned a bachelor's degree
in applied mathematics from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as master's and doctoral degrees
in aerospace engineering from the University of Florida.
George Donohue
Title: to be provided
Abstract: to be provided
Biography. Dr. George L. Donohue, is a Professor of Systems Engineering and
Operations Research at George Mason University and has a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
From 1994 to 1998, he was the Associate Administrator for Research and Acquisition at the FAA and is the
founding Director of the Center for Air Transportation Systems Research at George Mason University.
Donohue is a former Vice President of the RAND Corporation (1989-1994) and the Director of the Aerospace
and Strategic Technology Office (DARPA) (1988-1989). He has been awarded the Secretary of Defense
Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 1977, the Air Traffic Control Association Clifford Burton Memorial
Award in 1998, and the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Pinnacle Award for initiating the
Alaska Capstone ADS-B Program in 2007. He was named one of Federal Computer Week's top 100 Executives in
1997, and was also named one of the top 100 decision makers in Washington, D.C. by the National Journal
in 1997. Dr. Donohue was chosen to head the United States Delegation to the ICAO Conference on Air Traffic
Management Modernization in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1998. He is also a Fellow of the American Institute
of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a licensed private pilot with a single engine land rating.
Wilson N. Felder
Title: Challenges of Testing NextGen
Abstract: to be provided
Biography. Dr. Wilson N. Felder Is The Director Of The Faa's William J. Hughes Technical Center In Atlantic City, Nj. The Center Is The Nation's Leading Laboratory Complex For Engineering, Research, Development, Test And Evaluation Of Air Transportation Systems. It Is Known For Its World-Class Laboratories And High Fidelity Aviation System Test Facilities. Here, The Air Traffic Control Automation, Communications, Navigation And Surveillance Systems Needed To Modernize The National Airspace System Are Tested And Evaluated For Deployment, And Research Is Conducted In Airport, Aircraft, Fire Safety And Aviation Security. The Center Also Serves As Host And Landlord To The 177th Nj Air National Guard Fighter Wing, The Transportation Security Laboratory, A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, An International Airport, And The Primary Training Facility For The Federal Air Marshal Service, All Of Which Work Together To Foster The Development Of Future Aviation Systems. .Prior To Joining The Faa, Dr. Felder Was Employed By Trw, Inc, Where He Retired, After 23 Years Of Service, As Vice President, Aviation Services. Dr. Felder Graduated From The University Of Virginia With A Ba In Geology In 1968. He Later Earned Ma (1973) And Phd (1978) Degrees From That Same Institution, With A Concentration In Environmental Science.
Jacco Hoekstra
Title: to be provided
Abstract: to be provided
Biography.
Jacco Hoekstra received his M.Sc. degree (and private pilot's license) from the Aerospace faculty of the Delft University of Technology with work in the area of Control & Simulation. Later he obtained a doctoral degree from the faculty Technology, Policy and Management, working in the area of Safety Science. After a brief excursion to the Informatics & Telecommunications business, Jacco joined NLR in 1991 to start working at the Flight Simulation and Handling Qualities department to conduct a wide variety of flight simulation experiments, both civil and military. He moved to the Human Factors department, where he worked on Human Machine Interfaces and Air Traffic Management. His research for his doctoral degree consisted of investigating the safety and feasibility of airborne separation in a large project, also known as 'Free Flight'.Subsequently, Jacco became head of the Civil Human Factors group, the Training & Concept validation Department, the Human Factors & Flight Simulation department and the Air transport Division, one of the three divisions of NLR, where 140 researchers work on operational aerospace problems in 5 departments. In this function he was also part of the management team. Last year professor Hoekstra was asked to become the Dean of the Aerospace faculty of the Delft University of Technology. This high-ranked faculty is one of the largest aerospace faculties in the world with unique facilities such as wind tunnels, aircraft, flight simulators and many laboratories. In his spare time he enjoys reading, skiing, scuba diving and sailing with his three sons and wife.