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Nicole Noll-Williams is the President and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority, operating the Capital Region International Airport and Mason Jewett Field.

Previously, she spent almost three years as the Mid-Michigan Regional Director for U.S. Senator Gary C. Peters, and over 25 years in the aviation industry with experience in air service development, airline management and contract management. She was the Director of Marketing and Passenger Development for the Capital Region Airport Authority, responsible for development, marketing, advertising and public relations efforts for the Capital Region International Airport and Mason Jewett Field Airport. Her efforts were key in the development of direct service to Washington D.C. and to international markets including Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Prior to joining the Airport Authority and working for the U.S. Senate, Nicole was the Director of Sales for Spartan Travel, a Michigan travel management company. She assisted organizations in the development of travel policies and negotiated air, car, and hotel contracts for state-wide organizations including the state of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Michigan insurance and manufacturing companies. She began her career in aviation with United Airlines/United Express as a Station Manager, managing daily operations at the airport, and was the Regional Sales Manager, overseeing sales throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Nicole serves as a Commissioner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, Chair on the Habitat for Humanity Capital Region Board, Board Member for Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), a member of the MSU Global Business Advisory Council, ex-officio on the Mid-Michigan Business Travel Coalition board, a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), a member of the Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE) Legislative Committee, a Certified Member of Airports Council International, and a member of the Airports Council International United States Policy Council Committee. Nicole has also received the distinguished ATHENA Award, given to a woman who has achieved excellence in her profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has assisted and mentored women in the attainment of professional goals and leadership skills.

Robert (“Rob”) Benstein is the Vice President & COO for the Capital Region Airport Authority. In this role, Rob oversees the public safety, operations, planning, engineering, and properties administration functions for the Authority’s two airports - Capital Region International Airport (LAN) and Mason Jewett Field Airport. Rob has over 36 years of airport management experience; he previously held positions at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, San Jose (CA) International Airport, Central Wisconsin Airport, and Midland (TX) International Airport.

Rob is an accredited member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); he is also the former chair of the Airports Council International - North America Public Safety and Security Committee. Rob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Airport Management from Southern Illinois University. He also holds several licenses including MDOT Airport Manager, FAA Aircraft Dispatcher, and FAA Private Pilot with airplane and glider ratings. Rob also serves as the board chair for the Lansing Gateway Corridor Improvement Authority, and is a board member of the Vevay Township Downtown Development Authority. 

Sunil Khetarpal is the Vice President & CFO for the Capital Region Airport Authority. In this role, he is responsible for the execution and management of all financial activities for the Capital Region Airport Authority, including facilitating and implementing the annual budget planning process. He also is responsible for monitoring the annual budget, preparing budget reports for the Airport Authority Board of Directors, and identifies and manages federal, state and local funding programs and opportunities, passenger and customer facility charge programs, financial reporting and investments.

Previously, Sunil worked as the Senior Director of Finance for the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence based in Okemos, Michigan. He earned his degree in Accounting from the University of Delhi, and has an Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Ashland University.

In his free time, Sunil enjoys traveling with family and friends, and hopes to travel to more new places around the world to experience new sites and meet new people.

Katherine Japinga is the Director of Marketing for the Capital Region Airport Authority. In this role, Katherine is responsible for the development and execution of all marketing and advertising, public relations efforts, and event planning and management. She also serves as the Public Information Officer and manages all media relations on behalf of the Capital Region International Airport and Mason Jewett Field Airport.

Katherine has over ten years of experience in advertising, communications, and public relations. Prior to joining the Airport Authority in 2021, Katherine spent nearly seven years as the Deputy Director of the Michigan State Senate Majority Communications Office and served under two Senate Majority Leaders. As Deputy Director, she managed daily operations of a team of 20 individuals, overseeing all projects within the Senate Majority Communications Office including all communications on behalf of the Senate Majority Leader and senators in the majority caucus such as press releases, media events, columns, e-newsletters, digital content, mailers and social media content, as well as assisted with the development of long-term communication strategies and campaigns. She also assisted the Senate Majority Leader and majority caucus members with message development and provided media relations support. Prior to her position with the Michigan State Senate, she was an Account Coordinator for Marketing Resource Group, a full-service public relations and public affairs firm, managing the public affairs interests and communications needs of a diverse client list, including business, association, education, environmental, transportation and professional sports industries.

Katherine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and a Master of Arts in Public Relations, both from Michigan State University. She is currently a member of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee. She also served on the board of the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA) for eight years, both as a Director at Large and Assistant Treasurer. Additionally, Katherine served on the board of Grand River Connection, a young professionals networking organization, for nearly seven years, and serving as board president for three years. She also received the “10 Over the Next Ten” award in 2018, which is awarded to greater Lansing’s top young professionals who are anticipated to contribute to the community significantly over the next 10 years.

Ron O’Neil, CM, FMP is the Director of Facilities and Infrastructure for the Capital Region Airport Authority. In this role, he leads the maintenance efforts for both the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) and Mason Jewett Field Airport, ensuring the safe and efficient upkeep of all airport-owned facilities, assets, and fleet. With extensive experience in facilities operations and management, Ron directs and manages the team responsible for keeping the infrastructure of the LAN and Mason Jewett Field ready to serve airline partners, tenants, and guests.

Ron is responsible for LAN’s entire 2160-acre campus of airport-owned buildings, warehouse facilities, air cargo facilities, hangars, roadways, grounds, airfield, baggage handling, guest mobility, as well as all snow removal operations (both airfield and landside), preventative maintenance, HVAC, and electrical systems. Additionally, he oversees the airport’s farming program, environmental efforts, construction projects and mangers third-party contractor performance.

Ron has more than 30 years of experience in facilities management. He rejoined the Capital Region Airport Authority in 2013 after spending four years as the Facilities Supervisor for Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU). Prior to his years at MSUFCU, he was the Facilities Manager for the Capital Region Airport Authority for four years. Ron began his facilities management career at Jackson National Life, where he worked for 22 years.

Ron attended Baker College and studied Business Management. He earned his Facilities Management Professional Designation from the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), as well as his C.M. Designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Ron is also active on several local boards and committees, and serves as a board member for Clinton County Catalyst, vice president of the Building Owners and Managers Board, committee chair of the Aviation Careers Institute Advisory Committee, member of the Capital Area Manufacturing Council, and as a technical committee member for the Capital Area Regional Transportation Study Committee. 

Chief Steve Gonzalez is responsible for the leadership and management of the Capital Region Airport Authority’s Department of Public Safety. Comprised of full-time professional Public Safety Officers, the department is responsible for aircraft rescue and firefighting, emergency medical first response, and law enforcement services at Capital Region International Airport. The Department of Public Safety also works closely with adjacent municipal police and fire departments to ensure integrated response resources are available in the event of an emergency.

Prior to joining the Capital Region Airport Authority in 2021, Steve served 24 years with the East Lansing Police Department, the last four as the Deputy Chief of Police. Throughout his career Steve held both supervisory and operational assignments in the Patrol, Investigative, and Administration Divisions of the department. Steve also served as an enlisted member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve.

Steve holds a Masters Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management, a Graduate Certificate in Law Enforcement Executive Leadership, and a Bachelors Degree in Homeland Security from American Military University. He is a state certified Police Officer, Firefighter, and Medical First Responder. Steve is a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Staff and Command, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Chief’s and Police Executive’s course, and Michigan State Police Leadership in Police Organizations course. He is also active on several boards and committees, and serves as the mid-Michigan representative for the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Legislative Committee, president of the District 7 Mid-Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, board liaison representing LAN to the Region 1 Homeland Security Planning Board, and is the state coordinator for the state of Michigan ARFF Working Group. 

Evan "Blake" Roy, C.M. is responsible for the daily management of the Airport Operations Department and ensuring the airport is compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and all other federal, state, and local airport regulations. Blake manages a team of seven Operations Officers who have a wide array of aviation knowledge and ensure the airport is operating safely and efficiently. 

Prior to assuming his current position at LAN in 2021, Blake served as the Interim Airport Manager, Assistant Airport Manager, and Operations Manager for Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) in Macon, Georgia, and was responsible for the overall management, security, operations and compliance of the airport. His aviation career also led him to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) as a Ramp Operations Coordinator and Louisville-Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) as a Ramp Agent for Piedmont Airlines/US Airways Express. 

Blake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Aeronautical Science degree in Airport/Aerospace Operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  He is a Certified Member (C.M.) with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and a general member of the Michigan Association of Airport Executives (MAAE) and Airports Council International North America (ACI-NA).

Steve Ball, ACE, A.S.E., is the Maintenance Manger for the Capital Region Airport Authority. In this role, he is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and facilities work on the airfield, at airport-owned buildings and grounds for both the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) and Mason Jewett Field Airport. Steve works on a daily basis to ensure LAN’s entire 1,260-acre campus is in top shape and ready to serve airline partners, tenants and guests, as well as Mason Jewett Field.

Steve has more than 20 years of experience in maintenance and facilities management, primarily in the aviation industry. He joined the CRAA in 2006 in the airfield maintenance department, and transferred to the airport operations department in 2008. During his time in the operations department, Steve gained valuable experience outside of airfield maintenance and was responsible for the daily Part 139 Airfield Inspections, wildlife control, and monitoring and reporting of snow events. Steve rejoined the airfield maintenance department in in 2010, and has been the Maintenance Manager since 2018.

Steve has earned both his Airport Certified Employee (ACE) and Airport Snow Expert (A.S.E.) designations through the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).