CATHRYN CASON
Manager, Los Angeles Airports District Office

Cathryn joined the Western Pacific Region as the Manager for the Airports District Office in November 2020. In this position, she works with a well-informed technical staff overseeing the Airport Improvement Program and the Passenger Facility Program. Prior to taking this position, Cathryn worked as the Lead Compliance Specialist in the Office of Airports in Washington, DC.  During that time she had temporary assignments to the San Francisco Airports District as the Acting Assistant Manager, Southern Region as a Special Assistant, and the Los Angeles Airports District Office as the Acting Manager. Cathryn also worked as an attorney in the Office of the Chief Counsel in policy in Washington DC and Oklahoma City as an enforcement attorney.

Amy Choi began her aviation career in 2002.  She is a multi and single-engine rated commercial pilot and flight instructor.  Amy’s love for aviation began in Lansing, MI, with US Airways. She worked in the airline industry, holding various aviation-related jobs, including an Airline Station Manager.  Amy was hired as the Training Center Manager for Airline Transport Professionals (ATP). She instituted the Private Pilot Program at Sacramento Executive Airport, a very proud achievement.  Her career with Caltrans Aeronautics began in 2011 as an Aviation Safety Officer.  Amy cherished her time at Caltrans, but left to gain additional experience, taking a job as an Airport Operations Officer/Duty Manager at Sacramento International Airport for just over five years.  She returned to Caltrans in June of 2019 as the Chief of the Division of Aeronautics. Amy began her career with the Federal Aviation Administration in August of 2021 and is presently the Assistant Manager of the San Francisco Airports District Office.    

Amy is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics with minors in Management and Aviation Safety. She has an MBA in Aviation and a Master of Science of Leadership, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Amy holds certifications from the American Association of Airport Executives as a Certified Member (C.M.), Airport Certified Employee in Operations (ACE). She is enrolled in their Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) program. She is also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Mark McClardy as Director leads the FAA’s Office of Airports, Western Pacific Region (AWP). Mark’s team provides support the planning and safe development of the 330 airports that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS).

These airports are located in:

• Four states (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada)
• Three United States Territories (America Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands), and
• Three foreign countries (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau).

Mark joined the FAA in 1991 after spending almost five years in the private sector as a Structural Engineer for a prominent Architecture and Engineering firm located in Detroit, Michigan. Mark began his FAA career in the Great Lakes Regions’ Chicago Airports District Office (ADO). Mark later worked as the Great Lakes Region’s Manager of its Planning and Programming Branch where he provided support and oversite over the region’s environmental, planning, and financial programs. In August 2003, Mark was promoted to his current position as Director for the Western Pacific Region. Mark has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University.

Mark also received the following aviation awards and recognition:

• 2009 Agency Best Practices Award, Airport Consultants Council
• 2006 Wanamaker Award, Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives.
• 2005 Common Ground Award, Metropolitan Pima Alliance
• 2003 Management Excellence Award, FAA Office of Airports
• 1999 Teamwork Award, Springfield Airport Authority, Capital Airport