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.

 

Leslie Riegle
Director, Regulatory Affairs
703-824-0500 ext. 183

Leslie Riegle joined the AAAE Regulatory Affairs team in March, 2009.  She has a strong foundation in the industry’s economic, labor, and governmental issues.  Prior to joining AAAE, Riegle was a legislative and public policy advisor at Arnold & Porter LLP, handling mainly aviation, energy and the environment.  In addition, she has years of experience working with government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General.  Before this time, Riegle worked as a senior consultant for Eclat Consulting where she was involved in various economic and financial analyses, as well as advising the Federal Aviation Administration and many major airlines in their labor negotiations.  Riegle has obtained a Master of Business Administration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, and graduated with honors from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts

 

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

Papineau is Director of Legislative and Regulatory Communication for the Airport Legislative Alliance. Papineau 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 Papineau’s political and communications skills were honed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and at the Vermont Governor’s Commission on Women.