Chris White, A.A.E., President and CEO at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, is an airport executive with more than 30 years of experience helping commercial service airports navigate growth, modernization, and stakeholder collaboration. He most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport Authority, where he oversaw airport operations, marketing, air service development, and a record-setting capital program—supporting passenger growth and securing competitive grants to advance critical infrastructure.
Previously, Chris spent 14 years as Airport Director at Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville, North Carolina. During his tenure, the airport achieved more than 50% enplanement growth, increased operating revenue, and delivered more than $100 million in terminal, hangar, and airfield improvements with minimal debt. His earlier leadership roles at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Little Rock National Airport, and DFW International Airport helped build his experience in safety, emergency preparedness, FAA compliance, and large-scale development.
Chris holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a B.S. in Aerospace Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. An Accredited Airport Executive and private pilot with an instrument rating, he is known for a collaborative, steady approach centered on customer experience, sustainability, and positioning airports as drivers of regional economic growth.
Thomas Tyra, serving as the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District (GSP), plays a pivotal role in shaping the airport’s public image and provides strategic direction to the airport’s marketing, airline recruitment, cargo development, and customer experience programs.
Since joining GSP in June 2018, Tyra has leveraged his extensive background in airport marketing and communications to enhance GSP’s visibility and air service offerings. Tyra has over 30 years of experience in airport management and has previously led marketing, public relations, communications, and air service development programs for airports serving Louisville, KY, Lexington, KY, and Columbus, OH.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of Louisville.
As the Vice President of Marketing and Air Service Development at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, Kim J. Crafton is tasked with setting, managing and executing the overall strategic marketing and communications direction for the airport, while also working to proactively increase air service to the Columbia, SC market. Within her department, she leads a team that implements social media tactics that not only inform but creatively connects with its passengers. CAE’s social media presence boasts having the highest number of followers on Instagram of any SC airport. During her time at CAE, Crafton as aided in increasing air service to the airport with the addition of several new routes, on all carriers at CAE, and frequencies.
Prior to joining the CAE leadeship team, Crafton was the Public Relations Manager at Discover South Carolina. While in that role, Crafton oversaw both domestic and international media relations, managed the award-winning South Carolina Chef Ambassador program and spearheaded numerous events for statewide tourism partners.
A proud Greenville native, Crafton attended the University of South Carolina, where she earned a B.A. in public relations and a master’s in mass communications with a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communications. A former member of the executive board of Public Relations Society of America Travel & Tourism, Crafton is the immediate past president to the Historic Columbia Board of Trustees and the Marketing Chair to the Midlands Business Regional Competitiveness Council. A graduate of Leadership Columbia and Leadership South Carolina, Crafton was also named an “Outstanding Young Alumni” by the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2016 and a Women of Influence by the Columbia Regional Business Report in 2020.
Nate Yokoyama is the Director of Engineering for the Charleston County Aviation Authority. The Authority operatesSouth Carolina’s busiest and fastest growing airport, Charleston International and two general aviation airports, Mt Pleasant Regional and Charleston Executive Airport. He is responsible for the planning, design, and construction forall capital and large maintenance projects. Nate began his career as a bridge design engineer, but he determined thatthe confines of a cubical were not for him, so he relocated to Charleston and worked as a field engineer for bridge androadway construction.
While working in the field he found interest in geotechnical and construction materials and jointed S&ME, Inc in 2004 where he served as a project manager for 13 years. Before joining the Aviation Authorityin 2018, Nate served as a senior construction project manager for the City of Charleston’s capital projects division. Heholds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Florida State University and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of South Carolina.
Nate enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Jenny, daughter Clark and two dogs Boozy and Tiny Tim. He is apractitioner of Maui Thai and when not at the gym or spending time with his family you will most likely find him riding his zero-turn lawn mower or crocheting in his recliner.
Jon Rembold is the Airports Director for Beaufort County, responsible for both County airports, Beaufort Executive Airport and Hilton Head Island Airport. Jon has been in this position since 2013 and is committed to continually improving the experience for its customers.
Jon graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1995 with a BS in Ocean Engineering and served as a Marine Corps Artillery Officer. Following active duty, Jon worked in the construction management industry and in the civil engineering and development industry as a project manager and business developer.
He and his wife Heather have four children, two of whom are Clemson Tigers, one is at the Naval Academy, and one is at John Paul 2 Catholic School. Jon enjoys DIY and woodworking projects and enjoys announcing football games for the John Paul 2 high school team. They reside on Lady’s Island and feel blessed to be part of this community.
Sachin Patel serves as the Director of Information Technology at the Charleston Regional Aviation Authority (CRAA), where he leads the strategic planning and implementation of digital transformation initiatives that shape the future of Charleston International Airport (CHS). With over 20 years of experience in technology leadership, Sachin is at the forefront of integrating smart infrastructure, advanced cybersecurity, and data-driven solutions into airport operations.
His leadership has been instrumental in CHS’s pursuit of becoming a next-generation smart airport. He spearheads the development and deployment of the airport’s Operational Digital Twin, leveraging GIS, LiDAR, SCADA, CCTV, and IoT telemetry into real-time situational awareness tools. Under his direction, CHS has implemented scalable hybrid cloud architectures, secure communication frameworks, and AI-enhanced systems to elevate passenger experience, asset management, and emergency response.
Sachin holds a strong academic and professional foundation in data science, applied analytics, and systems engineering. His work blends rigorous technical skill with collaborative public-sector innovation. He has led high-impact initiatives involving Microsoft Azure, Genetec Security Center, Amadeus Airport IT platforms, and emerging AI technologies such as large vision-language models and real-time queue management tools.
Outside of his IT leadership role, Sachin is also an entrepreneur and community leader—founder of multiple youth sports, education and tech ventures including FC Charleston a youth soccer club, PlayToCode.org, a youth STEM education platform, and SpursTech Inc, a technology consultancy delivering solutions across health IT and smart infrastructure. Through his work at CHS, Sachin continues to champion resilient, secure, and intelligent airport systems that align with both FAA/TSA directives and the evolving needs of the traveling public.
Zach Salvato is an accomplished IT executive with over 20 years of experience in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, compliance, and client services. As Vice President and Chief Information Officer for the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, Zach leads technology strategy and innovation, ensuring operational excellence and security across the organization.
He was honored with the 2019 SC CIO Award for outstanding contributions to information technology leadership in South Carolina. Zach holds a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of South Carolina Upstate and maintains multiple industry certifications, including MCSE, M365 Security, CCNP Security, CEH, VCP-DCV, and C.M.
Beyond his professional role, Zach serves on the Boards of Directors for Clarity Upstate and Greer Middle College Charter High School, where he provides strategic guidance and supports initiatives that advance community impact and educational excellence.