Susan M. Baer, who has spent 21 years in a myriad of aviation department roles, has been appointed director of aviation and is the fi rst woman in Port Authority history to assume the job. Ms. Baer takes over one of the world’s largest and busiest aviation systems, with oversight responsibilities for John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, Stewart International and Teterboro airports. Last year alone, more than 107 million fl iers used the Port Authority airports, which also handled roughly 2.4 million tons of cargo. Ms. Baer, who has held the department’s No. 2 slot since last year, will continue the agency focus on modernizing facilities at all its airports, as she takes the helm of a department with a $1.3 billion

operating budget and a $594 million capital budget in 2009. Additionally, she will focus on making NextGen satellite navigation technology a reality in the aviation industry, while also encouraging airspace improvements to help reduce fl ight delays and maintain safety in the New York/New Jersey region. Joining the Port Authority as a management analyst in the late 1970s, Ms. Baer quickly rose through the agency’s ranks in the Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department before joining the aviation department in 1988. Among her aviation achievements is being the only person in Port Authority history to manage the agency’s three major airports: JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia. “I’m truly honored to lead a department with such a rich aviation history and a topnotch, hard-working staff,’’ said Ms. Baer. Ms. Baer earned her bachelor’s degree from Barnard College in urban studies and anthropology and an MBA from New York University. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and three children.

JFK Chamber of Commerce ends its year with a very successful golf outing, which raises money for its scholarship endeavors; tool kits to graduates of Aviation High School who will be entering the work force as licensed AMT’s, the Ernie Davis Scholarship given to any student graduating from high school and moving on to any college or university, as long as they have ties to JFK. Lastly, fulfi lling of commitments made in 1995 to raise $100,000 as an endowed scholarship for attendance at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology. Our golf chairman, Frank Festa, of FJC Security, was elected our new President; Bill Puckhaber becomes Immediate Past President as the Chamber moves forward.

The US ARMY 306th Military police Company returned from their tour in Iraq and was met at JFK Airport by a reception committee of Airport leaders and the Port Authority Police. The Unit of 110 solders is based in Uniondale, NY. They were met by the Port Authority Police Honor Guard and Police Pipe Band along with Michael Ferorko, Superintendant of Police /Director of Public Safety as well as Jerry Spampanato, General Manager of JFK Airport. Also at the arrival were members of the JFK Police and Operations Units, Delta Airlines personnel and other ramp personnel. The Unit was then escorted to Uniondale by PAPD, NYPD, NCPD and the Patriot Guard Motorcycle Club.

What’s going on; nobody told me about this! How could I have been left out; a pizza eating contest to be held at LaGuardia Airport on November 19th. The Food & Shops upcoming Pizza Eating Contest with Famous Famiglia is scheduled for November 19, 2009, The Food & Shop at LaGuardia Airport and Famous

Famiglia are partnering for a fun-filled Pizza Eating Contest and it is limited to LaGuardia employees. Employees have already began eagerly signing up for the contest which will be the fi rst pizza eating contest at the airport. John Kolaj, Famous Famiglia’s Co-Founder and Chief Operating Offi cer, will select six “eaters” for the competition based on a private interviewing process. The lucky contestants will be notifi ed on November 2, 2009. Generous cash prizes will be awarded: First Place -