American Association of Airport Executives

About Us

AAAE’s Regulatory Affairs Department represents our airport members before the many government agencies that direct Federal aviation policy. The AAAE Regulatory Affairs staff are in continuous communication with senior policy staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among others. Through our Regulatory Alerts and Advisories, we keep the AAAE membership up to date on developing issues of concern to airports and airport management.

The AAAE Regulatory Affairs team mission is, To provide AAAE’s Regulatory Membership with timely and accurate Information about Federal laws and regulations pending that affect the way airports conduct business on a daily basis; To represent the airport’s best interest before the Federal Government and others; To provide training and services that enhances the industry’s professionalism And ability to serve its customers in a safe, efficient and effective manner; And to improve and develop business opportunities for the benefit of AAAE’s Regulatory Membership.

 
Melissa Sabatine
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
703-824-0500 ext. 138

Melissa Sabatine serves as the Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at AAAE. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Regulatory Affairs Department, representing airports before federal agencies, and communicating with members.

Sabatine has served in a series of senior-level policy positions in Washington including Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Transportation for both Secretary Mary Peters and Secretary Norman Mineta; Associate Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration; and Deputy Director of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. She also has worked in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, as well as in the private sector for a public affairs firm and a trade association.

A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sabatine is a graduate of Duquesne University, where she majored in political science and journalism.

Gwen Papineau Basaria
Director, Legislative and Regulatory Communication
703-824-0500 ext. 187

Basaria is Director of Legislative and Regulatory Communication for the Airport Legislative Alliance. Basaria is involved in literally all aspects of the ALA effort including covering House and Senate hearings, media relations, fundraising, research, grassroots communication, publications, meeting planning and issue coverage. Prior to joining AAAE in 2004 Basaria’s political and communications skills were honed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and at the Vermont Governor’s Commission on Women.

Janet Skelly
Manager, Special Projects and Communications
703-824-0500, ext. 180

Skelly's primary roles at AAAE are managing the Regulatory Affairs webinar program and assisting with the department's member outreach and communications projects. Prior to joining AAAE, Skelly worked as Manager of Membership & Programs at Association Management Group, a company that manages nearly 20 small non-profit associations. Among her responsibilities was assisting with various projects related to state and federal legislative affairs. Skelly is a graduate of Elon University where she studied Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.