Presenter:

John Dermody
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

John R. Dermody was selected as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Director of Airport Safety and Standards in December 2016. In this role, he is responsible for leading both airport safety and operations and the airport engineering offices. He has over 20 years of aviation experience in both the private and public sectors.

Previously, Mr. Dermody served as Deputy Director of Airport Safety and Standards from September 2015 to December 2016 and as Manager of the Airport Engineering Division at the FAA in Washington, D.C. from July 2011 to September 2015. In the latter position, he supervised a staff of 18 professionals with expertise in airport design, pavement, electrical, airspace, GIS applications, airport data management and airport safety research. Mr. Dermody was responsible for developing national airport engineering policy and guidance contained in 81 Advisory Circulars. He also provided oversight for the Airport Technology Research Program and the Airport Cooperative Research Program.

Mr. Dermody was the former Manager of the New York Airports District Office (NYADO) from 2009 to 2011 at FAA. As the NYADO manager, he supervised a staff that managed approximately $160 million in federal airport improvement grants annually and provided oversight to more than 90 airports. From 2001 to 2009, he was the FAA's Senior Program Manager for the Port Authority of New York / New Jersey Airports, where his duties included oversight of all engineering and planning projects at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty International, and Teterboro airports.

Prior to his FAA career, Mr. Dermody worked in the private sector for DY Consultants, an aviation planning and engineering firm, for over six years. He managed the company's engineering division which included all design and construction projects. He has also worked with Region 10 of the New York State Department of Transportation construction division as a transportation construction inspector.

Mr. Dermody is a registered Professional Engineer and received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is married with three boys and enjoys music and coaching baseball.

Moderator:

Denson Stasher
Manager, Office of Airports, Great Lakes Regions, Safety and Standards Branch
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Denson E. Stasher was selected as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Manager, Office of Airports, Great Lakes Region, Safety and Standards Branch August 2020. In this role, he is responsible for direct management and oversight of the regional airport certification program.  He has over 30 years of aviation experience in both the private and public sectors.

June 2016 – August 2020, Mr. Stasher served as the Lead Airport Certification Safety Inspector in the Safety and Standards Branch (ASW-620) in the FAA Southwest Region. He was responsible for 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139 compliance for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Airports (ARP). He also served as the Regional subject matter expert in the area of airport certification and safety. From 2013-2016, he served as an Airport Certification Safety Inspector in the Safety and Standard Branch (ASO-620) in the FAA Southern Region. Responsible for conducting periodic and surveillance inspections at larger, medium, small hub Part 139 Airports.

Mr. Stasher vast range of experience includes Civilian Aviation Industry and the United States Military. Prior to his FAA career, Mr. Stasher retired with over 20 years of service, as Director of Operations and Security from the Jackson-Evers International Airport (JMAA). He also served in the United States Navy onboard the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University, Jackson MS as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.