ABC 2025 Conference Speakers
Dr. Tom Marshburn serves as Chief Astronaut and Vice President of Human Factors Engineering for Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company that is building an end-to-end business and technology platform in space to benefit life on Earth.
The veteran NASA astronaut is leading the Sierra Space Human Spaceflight Center and Human Factors Engineering across the company. In his additional role as Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marshburn is responsible for planning for the human health of Sierra Space’s corps of astronauts. He also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Aerospace Medicine at University of Texas Medical Branch.
Before joining Sierra Space, Dr. Marshburn served 28 years at NASA, where he was a veteran of three spaceflights, STS-127, Expedition 34/35, and Expedition 66/67 as part of Crew-3. Prior to his selection as an astronaut in 2004, Dr. Marshburn served as a Flight Surgeon for the Space Shuttle Medical Operations and the joint U.S./Russian Space Program, and as Medical Operations Lead for the International Space Station. Dr. Marshburn piloted the NASA SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station, was a flight engineer on Expedition 66, and was Commander of Expedition 67. He spent 337 total days in space over his career and over 24 hours on spacewalks.
Dr. Marshburn is the recipient of NASA Superior Achievement Award, the Space and Life Sciences Division Special Space Flight Achievement Award twice, and the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Superior Achievement Award.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Davidson College, North Carolina, a Masters in Engineering Physics from the University of Virginia, a Doctorate of Medicine from Wake Forest University, and a Masters in Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Bobbi Wells, VP Safety Systems, Efficiency and Compliance, American Airlines
Bobbi Wells is Vice President of Inflight and oversees American’s nearly 27,000 flight attendants and the Inflight Operations, Training, Strategy, and Support teams that help them care for customers around the world.
Previously, Bobbi was Vice President of Safety Systems, Efficiency and Compliance, where she oversaw American's safety systems with a focus on managing risk through design, science and innovation.
Before joining American in 2021, Bobbi was Vice President of Safety and Airworthiness in Air Operations at FedEx. She held several leadership roles during her more than 25 years at the carrier. Bobbi started her career in the U.S. Army and spent more than a decade as a transportation and logistics officer leading logistical support for 30,000 troops based in Germany.
Bobbi is past-Chair of the Flight Safety Foundation Board of Governors and serves on the Industry Advisory Board for the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety. She is also a member of the MITRE Aviation Advisory Committee and the IATA Operations Advisory Council.
Bobbi spends much of her time finding ways to support, develop and advocate for women in aviation. She is a past president of the International Aerospace Women's Association and formerly served on the Department of Transportation's Women in Aviation Advisory Board.
Bobbi earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. She also holds an FAA aircraft dispatcher license.
As Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Helicopter Company, David leads employees as they develop and produce cost-effective, efficient, and safe helicopters for customers all over the world. David loves helping teams grow and improve performance in engineering and manufacturing companies, especially in the aerospace industry, where he has a proven track record of delivering results and driving innovation.
Prior to joining Robinson Helicopter Company in March 2023, David held leadership positions at Bell Flight and TRU Simulation + Training, where he successfully executed cost restructuring measures, improved business performance, and helped to drive the next generation of manufacturing operations.
David is also passionate about supporting non-profits and charitable efforts to help veterans, to develop tomorrow's leaders, and to grow the American manufacturing industrial base. David is an Eagle Scout and believes strongly in the Boy Scout Oath and Law.
Michael Bartron, Chief Scientific and Technical Adviser, Federal Aviation Administration
Michael Bartron is the Senior Technical Experts Program’s (STEP) Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor (CSTA) for Safety and Risk Analysis. In his discipline, Mr. Bartron helps guide the expansion of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in industry, expanding system safety during design into a lifecycle of safety management and compliance. Mr. Bartron first joined the FAA in 2020 and recently was co-Branch Manager within the FAA Safety Program Management Branch (AIR-360). Since joining FAA, he participated on the ICAO Safety Management Panel and the Safety Management International Collaboration Group, assisting in the update to ICAO Annex 19 –Safety Management. Further, he assisted the Part 21 sub-team for the SMS Rulemaking project in developing policy positions, coordinating with the managing of the SMS Core Team, and providing updates to AIR leadership and the SMS Executive Steering Group and Principals.
Prior to joining the FAA, Mr. Bartron gained nearly three decades of aerospace engineering and safety management experience through various roles at Pratt & Whitney, an aerospace manufacturer, and across the various businesses of United Technologies Corporation.
As a Founding and Equity Partner of his firm, Ralph Pagano has helped develop a nationwide practice focusing on complex disputes involving some of the world’s preeminent companies. Ralph represents a wide range of clients including some of the most prestigious Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies in the world, to pro bono clients that need a voice. Ralph prides himself on thoughtful communication and collaboration with the client to provide a tailored approach, balancing legal, financial, and commercial considerations to allow clients to arrive at the most expedient and economical case resolution possible.
Ralph earned both Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law, and subsequently earned a Master of Laws Degree in trial advocacy from Temple University, where he later served as an Adjunct Professor for that program to instruct other lawyers on the nuances of trying cases.
Ralph has written and delivered copious papers and speeches for major conferences and journals. In addition, he has been cited in the U.K. Parliament’s Select committee on Trade and Industry, relating to space regulatory matters. Ralph furthers his interest in aviation by actively exercising his privileges as a licensed instrument-rated pilot.
Professor Michael Mainelli FCCA FCSI(Hon) FBCS, Chairman, Z/Yen Group Limited; Alderman for Broad Street; Late Lord Mayor of London 2023-2024; Sheriff of the City of London 2019-2021
Professor Michael Mainelli KStJ OMRI PhD MPhil BA FCCA FCSI(Hon) FBCS FRSA CITP FIC CMC MEI is a qualified accountant, securities professional, computer specialist, and management consultant, educated at Harvard University and Trinity College Dublin. He gained his PhD at the London School of Economics where he was also Visiting Professor of Innovation & IT. Originally a research scientist in aerospace (rocket science) and computing (architecture & cartography), after directing mapping projects in Switzerland he became a senior partner with accountants BDO Binder Hamlyn directing global consulting, and Corporate Development Director for Europe’s largest R&D firm, then the Ministry of Defence’s 14,000 strong Defence Evaluation & Research Agency. During a mergers & acquisitions spell in merchant banking with Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, he founded Z/Yen in 1994, the City of London’s leading think-tank, promoting societal advance through better finance and technology, renowned for its Global Financial, Green Finance, and Smart Centres indices.
Michael is Chairman of Z/Yen Group; Emeritus Professor of Commerce & Life Fellow of Gresham College; Senior Independent Director of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and AIM-listed Wishbone Gold plc; Visiting Professor at UCL’s Bartlett School and City St George’s University; Fellow of Goodenough, King’s, and Birkbeck Colleges; Trustee of Morden College. Awards include UK Foresight Challenge Award for the Financial Laboratory; UK Smart Award for AI prediction software; Technology Strategy Board Challenge Award for financial avatars; British Computer Society Director of the Year; Commendatore, Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana; Consigliere del Senato Accademico of L’Accademia Tiberina; ‘Hons’ award from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment; Knight of the Order of St John; Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple. Michael is active in seventeen livery companies, past Master of the World Traders, an Alderman of the City of London for Broad Street, late Lord Mayor of London (2023-2024), and Sheriff (2019-2021), with charity interests in the environment, education, and care.
Michael has published over 60 journal and 250 commercial articles. The Price Of Fish: A New Approach To Wicked Economics And Better Decisions, won the Independent Publisher Book Awards Finance, Investment & Economics Gold Prize.
Muneeb Ahmed, Director of Trading and Logistics, Avfuel Corporation
Muneeb Ahmed is Avfuel Corporation’s director of trading and logistics. In this role, Ahmed is responsible for overseeing the company’s fuel inventories, price risk management strategies and the logistics infrastructure that supports both pipeline and truck transport. His work plays a pivotal role in ensuring Avfuel’s operational efficiency and the strategic deployment of its energy resources.
Ahmed also leads Avfuel’s growing sustainability initiatives, focusing on the expansion of its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) footprint. Under his guidance, the company has developed a robust suite of products to help customers meet their sustainability goals, reinforcing the company’s long term commitment to decarbonizing aviation.
Since joining Avfuel in 2019, Ahmed has applied strategic insight and energy market expertise to strengthen Avfuel’s position in an increasingly competitive global market. Prior to Avfuel, he served as an oil trader at Cargill, where he gained experience navigating complex global energy markets.
Ahmed is a graduate of Harvard University, where he studied physics with a focus on quantitative modeling and problem solving—skills critical in addressing complex challenges in the energy industry.
Ahmed’s cross-functional leadership positions him as a key architect in shaping Avfuel’s fuel strategy today and into the future.
Suki Basi, Managing Director & Founder, Russell Group Ltd.
Suki is the Managing Director & Founder of Russell Group. On founding Russell, Suki helped to develop the claims database for London Market Claims Services, which was then used to help Lloyd’s model its exposures during Reconstruction and Renewal (R&R).
Russell Group is a business intelligence company that delivers actionable insights for corporates and (re)insurers. Formed in 1994, Russell has thirty years’ experience in the Lloyd’s (re)insurance market, with a global client base of (re)insurers and a corporate working group of FTSE 100 and 250 companies. The Russell Business Platform harmonises data acquisition, analysis and visualisation and empowers clients to navigate global volatility, seize new opportunities, protect portfolios and optimise profits.
Lucy Clarke,
President, Risk & Broking, WTW
Lucy Clarke is the President of Risk and Broking at WTW. Lucy joined WTW in 2024, bringing with her over 25 years of industry experience focused on exceptional client service, specialty classes and insurance placement. Prior to joining WTW, Lucy was the president of Marsh Specialty and Global Placement from 2019-2023. Prior to that, she was with JLT Group for 17 years, holding diverse leadership roles, including CEO of JLT Global Specialty, the insurance and risk arm of the JLT Group.
Lucy has a bachelor's degree in English and economics from Vanderbilt University. She also serves as deputy president of the Insurance Institute of London.
Immanuel Barshi, Senior Principal Investigator, NASA
Immanuel Barshi is a Senior Principal Investigator in the Human Systems Integration Division at NASA Ames Research Center. His current research addresses cognitive issues involved in the skilled performance of astronauts and pilots, as well as mission controllers and air traffic controllers, their ability to manage challenging situations, and their vulnerability to error. Among the topics investigated by his research group are spatial reasoning, decision making, risk assessment, communication, and skill acquisition and retention. The results of his work have been implemented in checklist design, operational procedures, and training programs in space, aviation, medicine, and nuclear facilities. Dr. Barshi holds PhDs in Linguistics and in Cognitive Psychology. He has published books and papers in basic and applied psychology, linguistics, and aviation. He holds Airline Transport Pilot certificate with A320, A330, B737, and CE500 Type Ratings; he is also a certified flight instructor for airplanes and helicopters, with over 40 years of flight experience.
John Illson, Aviation Safety Executive, A J Gallagher
John Illson is an aviation safety executive having over forty-five years of experience. John began his career in 1979, as a captain for a major U.S. air carrier where he accumulated over 18,000 hours of flight experience on Airbus, Boeing, British Aerospace, Fokker, and McDonnell Douglas aircraft.
In 2005, John joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as Assistant Director of Safety and led multiple safety initiatives including the development of safety management systems for the world’s largest airlines. In 2009, Captain Illson transitioned to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), serving as Chief of Operational Safety over a six-year period. In this role, he was responsible for the development of international standards associated with airworthiness, flight operations, personnel licensing, and safety management. After completing his tenure at ICAO, Captain Illson worked in senior leadership roles for companies developing the new aircraft technologies and the Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem. His positions included Head of Aviation Safety at Uber and Chief Safety Officer at Supernal, Hyundai’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft initiative.
In 2024, Captain Illson joined the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Senior Advisor to Administrator Whitaker. In this role, Captain Illson evaluated the FAA’s internal processes and developed recommendations for the transformation to a risk-based oversight system. Captain Illson holds a degree in Public Administration from Georgetown University as well as master’s degrees in business administration and international policy from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautic Society.
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