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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/604359
38 airportbusiness November 2015 Amber Channel: Breaks Barriers in Aviation Once upon a time, Amber Channel dreamed of being an astronaut. But being of a practical nature, Channel decided being a pilot might be better fit. Though after 80 hours in a Cessna 172, she ultimately decided flying was not for her, Channel found she still loved the industry. She switched her major at Metropolitan State University of Denver to Aviation Man- agement and graduated in May 2014 with a Bachelor's degree. While getting her degree, she joined the Mile High Women in Aviation Chapter (WAI) and currently serves as the chapter president. She also became a part of the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) and is the current co-education chair. For a short amount of time, Channel was also the secretary for Metropolitan State University AAAE student chapter. Channel credits her schooling and involvement these organizations for preparing her for position she holds today as the customer service manager in Denver Jet Center at Centennial Airport. She started at Denver Jet Center in May of 2013 and became the customer service manager in February of 2015. This job has provided her the opportunity to fly in various aircraft, meet exciting people, travel to new places, and learn new things every day. The biggest challenge Channel sees in aviation today is a learning gap between older and younger generations because technology is moving so quickly, and the industry is changing constantly. The younger individuals come with new ideas and technology but older professionals sometimes prefer to keep the classic aviation mentality. She says it can be intimidating to present new ideas and teach new ways of doing business. The idea of aviation has not changed, she adds, but it is moving to computers, tablets and cell phones for communication, billing, planning and marketing. DID YOU KNOW? When CHANNEL was little, she only spoke Japanese. DID YOU KNOW? LENTZ was on a family game show on television as a child. Customer Service Manager Denver Jet Center Age: 24 Years in Aviation: 7 Memberships: WAI, Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA), AAAE Aviation Project Manager WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff Age: 38 Years in Aviation: 13 Memberships: AAAE, CMAA Kara Lentz didn't start her career in aviation, but found herself on an airport project three years out of college and never turned back. Today, Lentz has 16 years of professional experience, 13 of which have been focused on aviation terminal, landside and airfield projects. Her educational achievements include a BSCE from The Cooper Union and an MSCE from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. She is a licensed professional engineer, a certified LEED profes- sional and a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) by the Construction Management Certification Institute (an independent administrative body of the CMAA). As an aviation project manager with WSP Parsons Brinck- erhoff and through her diverse professional experience, Lentz has been involved in all phases of project management including startup, planning, design, construction, activation and closeout. Additionally, Lentz serves as the aviation business development lead for the Texas/Mountain Region of WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. Lentz's career includes many leadership roles including serving as project manager for the $140-million, 15-gate concourse and Automated People Mover (APM) station at Dulles International Airport, project manager for the $500 million Hotel and Transit Center Program for Denver International Airport, and her current role as project manager for the Concourse B and C Gate Apron Replacement and Drainage Improvement Project at Denver International Airport. Lentz also has a strong commitment to community service. Her involvement includes many outreach activities in the greater Denver community and a professional mentor role in Engineers Without Borders, a service organization for professionals with engineering knowledge serving developing counties. She serves as a professional mentor for college chapter of Engineers Without Borders at the University of Colorado-Boulder and the University of Southern California to build projects in Honduras, Rwanda and Peru. Kara Lentz: Landed In Aviation