MEETING THE MOMENT IN AAM/UAS

National, State, and Regional Convergence

WEBINAR: February 27, 2025 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is rapidly moving from vision to reality — reshaping transportation, infrastructure, workforce development, and economic opportunity across the country. What does this mean for the Central Coast?

Join national, state, and regional leaders for a timely conversation on how the emerging low-altitude economy is creating new pathways for innovation, high-quality jobs, and regional competitiveness. This webinar will connect national and state momentum to local activation efforts, outlining how our region is preparing to lead in this next chapter of aviation and economic development.

From infrastructure readiness and airport integration to workforce pipelines and public-private collaboration, we’ll explore how cross-sector partnerships are positioning the Monterey Bay region at the forefront of this evolving industry.

Whether you’re in business, government, education, or community leadership, this conversation will provide insight into what’s ahead — and how you can be part of shaping it.

SPEAKERS

LAVERA ALEXANDER

Chief Growth Officer, MBEP

Lavera Alexander is an experienced strategist and facilitator focused on agile performance and transformative impact within the nonprofit sector. Her extensive background in cross-sector collaboration includes successful projects with the Department of Education, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Institutes of Health, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Newsom Administration…Read more.

MICHAEL FOOTE

Director of Economic Development + Community Affairs, REACH

Michael leads engagement of local economic development practitioners to advance regional business attraction, retention, and expansion opportunities. He works to provide strategic advice on local government considerations on regional initiatives as well as providing technical support on various economic development projects in local communities...Read more.

MAREK GOOTMAN

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro

Marek Gootman is a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings Metro. Gootman was previously a fellow and director of strategic partnerships and global initiatives. Gootman’s focus is on bridging think tank perspective with real world action to increase the vitality of cities and metropolitan areas. Activities involve policy development, demonstration projects, peer learning networks, and external relations. Topics addressed include comprehensive regional/state economic …Read more.

TAHRA GORAYA

President & CEO, MBEP

Tahra Goraya is the President and CEO of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to a more resilient and inclusive economy across the tri-county region of the Monterey Bay of the Central Coast of California. As a regional convener, MBEP serves as a catalyst bringing together diverse stakeholders from public, private, and civic entities to improve the economic health and quality of life in the tri-county region of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. ‍…Read more.

PARIMAL KOPARDEKAR (PK)

Mission Integration Manager for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Mission, NASA

Parimal Kopardekar (PK) is the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Mission Integration Manager. While PK will continue his current duties as the director of the NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI), this appointment will allow additional focus of PK’s broad expertise on the AAM mission. And in particular the coordination of ARMD wide activities supporting the…Read more.

BRUCE STENSLIE

President & CEO, EDC

Bruce Stenslie has 30 years of experience in workforce and economic development and has served since 2007 as President and CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC). Prior to joining EDC, Stenslie served as Deputy Director for the California Workforce Association, Workforce Policy Director for the City of Los Angeles, Assistant Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency and Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board. In 2013 Stenslie was elected as Chair of the California Association for Local Economic Development…Read more.

TAREK TABSHOURI, P.E.

Division Chief, Division of Aeronautics, CalTrans

Tarek Tabshouri is the Chief of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Aeronautics. In that role, Tarek oversees the safety and development of the statewide system of airports and serves as the State’s lead on aeronautical matters including AAM. Tarek is a licensed civil engineer with 25 years’ experience in surface and aviation transportation. Tarek started his Caltrans career in 2001 working in highway planning and design with a focus…Read more.

SARASINA TUCHEN

CEO and Trustee, Eden8 Foundation; Retired Emeritus, Senior Scientist, USDOT

Sarasina Tuchen was a Senior Scientist at the USDOT Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence (HASS COE) specializing in advanced aviation technologies, integration, and interoperability. With more than 35 years of experience in both private industry and federal government, Sarasina served as the USDOT lead of the automation strategy for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Interagency Working Group….Read more.