ATA Executive Biographies

James C. May
President and Chief Executive Officer

James C. May is president and chief executive officer of the Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA) – the nation’s oldest and largest airline trade association. May joined ATA in February 2003, and has led the association through an especially challenging time in its history.

Under his leadership, the association and its member airlines have worked diligently in a unified effort to:

• continue to provide the world’s safest form of transportation through a disciplined, analytical approach
• illuminate the value of the airlines’ contribution to global, national and local economic well-being
• modernize the nation’s antiquated air traffic control system and funding structure
• implement meaningful solutions to address increasing airport and airspace congestion and enhance customer service
• ensure robust aviation security while maintaining the smooth flow of commerce and minimizing inconvenience to passengers and shippers
• emphasize the airlines’ outstanding record of environmental stewardship and proactive commitment to further improve environmental performance
• open and expand dialogue with Congress and the administration 

Prior to joining ATA, May served as executive vice president of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB); vice president, public affairs for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York; directed government relations for PepsiCo, Inc; and served as vice president, public affairs for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc.

May currently serves as co-chair of the NextGen Institute Management Council; as a member of the Advisory Board of Directors for the Hollings Cancer Center; and as a trustee for the United States Capitol Historical Society. As a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, May commanded an infantry company in Vietnam.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John M. Meenan
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

John Meenan was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Air Transport Association (ATA) in May 2003. He is responsible for all aspects of ATA operations, with a particular focus on technical, safety, security, environmental, economic and legal policy issues impacting the airline industry.

Mr. Meenan joined the association as assistant general counsel in 1985 following nine years with the U.S. Secret Service. He has been involved in airport issues including noise abatement, airport access, environmental impact, slot restrictions, airport and airways system financing and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reform issues. Meenan also has acted as the industry representative on numerous Department of Transportation and FAA committees and working groups, and has been a frequent member of United States delegations to various international bodies including the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Labor Organization.

A native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Meenan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Holy Cross College of Worcester, Mass., and a law degree from Santa Clara University of Santa Clara, Calif.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basil J. Barimo
Vice President, Operations and Safety

Basil Barimo joined the Air Transport Association (ATA) as vice president of operations and safety in December 2003 and is responsible for representing member airlines’ collective interests in the industry policy and legislative arenas. Mr. Barimo also provides strategic direction and leadership to the staff tasked with shaping broad elements of civil aviation, such as operations, maintenance, engineering, safety and airspace management. Previously, he served as vice president of Avborne, Inc., a maintenance, repair and overhaul service provider based in Miami, Fla.

Prior to Avborne, Barimo spent 13 years at US Airways. He joined the airline in 1989 as a senior engineer and held a variety of positions before being named senior director, maintenance quality assurance in 1999. Previously, he was employed as an engineer scientist at McDonnell Douglas.

A native of Miami, Fla., Barimo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David A. Berg
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

David Berg was named vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for the Air Transport Association (ATA) in October 2003 and is responsible for the association’s legal affairs. Berg has managed complex industry litigation and critical regulatory initiatives involving issues such as revenue diversion and landing fees, government overcharge policies and practices, local domestic partner benefits laws, passengers with disabilities, exit-row seating, drug and alcohol testing, and duty limits and rest requirements for both flight attendants and pilots.

Mr. Berg joined ATA in 1985 after three years in private practice and is active in the aviation legal community. He serves as chairman of the American Bar Association Forum on Air and Space Law.

A native of Washington, D.C., Berg received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, and a law degree from Washington College of Law, American University.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James L. Casey
Vice President, Industry Services and Deputy General Counsel

Mr. Castelveter joined ATA with 27 years of airline industry experience. He began his aviation career in 1977 with Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Airlines, now US Airways. He also retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a master sergeant and chief of Army Reserve public affairs at the Pentagon.

A native of McKees Rocks, Pa., Castelveter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial communications/business management from Robert Morris University, Coraopolis, Pa. He also has done post-graduate work in journalism/communications at Point Park University, Pittsburgh, Pa.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John P. Heimlich
Vice President and Chief Economist

John Heimlich was named chief economist for the Air Transport Association (ATA) in October 2003 and appointed vice president in December 2004. He was appointed in August 2006 to serve on the DOT Advisory Council on Transportation Statistics and in May 2008 to serve on the CFTC Energy Markets Advisory Committee. Heimlich played central roles in securing legislation to stabilize the industry after 9/11 and to reimburse carriers for security costs during the Iraq War. He also coordinated the industry’s efforts to overcome fuel-supply disruptions during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Heimlich regularly interfaces with academia, Wall Street and members of the press regarding matters of energy and economics. He also represents ATA in the MIT Airline Industry Consortium and the Consumer Energy Alliance. Prior to joining ATA in 2001, Heimlich spent five years at United Airlines, where he worked in the financial planning, financial analysis and international and regulatory affairs departments.

A native of Kent, Ohio, Heimlich holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, phi beta kappa, from Cornell University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patricia G. Higginbotham
Vice President, Policy and Chief of Staff

Patty Higginbotham was named vice president, policy and chief of staff for the Air Transport Association (ATA) in June 2007. In that role Higginbotham works with ATA disciplines to expedite special projects and programs. Prior to Higginbotham’s role in policy, she served as associate general counsel, litigation and regulatory affairs and originally joined ATA, in 1997, as assistant general counsel.

Previously, Higginbotham served as a senior attorney at Federal Express, and as a senior district attorney in Dekalb County, Ga.

A native of Little Rock, Ark., she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas and a law degree from Emory University of Atlanta, Ga.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharon L. Pinkerton
Vice President, Government Affairs

Before joining ATA, Ms. Pinkerton served as assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Prior to her appointment at FAA, Pinkerton served as transportation counsel to House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John L. Mica (R-Fla.) and served on Capitol Hill for nearly 10 years. She began her professional career at Price Waterhouse.

A native of Vero Beach, Fla., Pinkerton received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cedarville College in Ohio, and earned a law degree from the University of Florida. Pinkerton is also a Certified Public Accountant.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy N. Young
Vice President, Environmental Affairs

Nancy Young joined the Air Transport Association (ATA) as vice president, environmental affairs in July 2007 and leads the association’s expanding environmental activities. Ms. Young first joined ATA in 2000, managing international environmental programs as assistant general counsel. She became an ATA officer in 2004, serving as associate general counsel, environment and international programs. Young has broad experience in environmental law and litigation, joining ATA from the prominent law firm of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. as shareholder/partner.

Among other things, she has served for several years on key working groups of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s environmental committee and recently as co-chair of Beveridge & Diamond’s climate change practice.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of William & Mary in 1986 and a juris doctor degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1990.