With more than 150 years combined experience in their fields, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority staff features multiple women in senior and executive leadership roles. In honor of Women’s History Month, the Aviation Authority is celebrating every woman who works at Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport.
Below we recognize some of the exceptional female executive leaders who have found their place at the Aviation Authority, becoming role models and influencers within an industry where women continue to make gains and fill positions traditionally held by men.
Kathleen Sharman, Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Kathleen Sharman is responsible for managing the approximately $500 million annual operating budget and a $3.75 billion capital program. In addition to managing the Finance and Procurement Departments of the Aviation Authority, she provides strategic advice on airline negotiations, capital planning and contract matters, and she is responsible for managing the issuance of all Authority Bonds. Sharman has more than 30 years of accounting and finance experience across multiple transportation modes, having held leadership positions with the New Jersey Transit Corporation and the State Road and Tollway Authority in Georgia. Additionally, she has worked in the solid waste and real estate industries in the private sector.
Yovannie Rodriguez, Chief Administrative Officer
Yovannie Rodriguez most recently served the Aviation Authority as the Interim Senior Director of Concessions and Commercial Properties and the Deputy General Counsel before assuming her new role in late 2020. With more than 20 years of experience representing GOAA, Rodriguez is now tasked with assisting in the strategic development of the airport by directing administrative objectives and controls. As CAO, she oversees concession planning, reviews contracts, provides legal guidance and directs policy initiatives within the Aviation Authority.
Carolyn Fennell, Senior Director of Public Affairs & Community Relations
Carolyn Fennell was the Aviation Authority’s first female director. As the primary spokesperson, she is responsible for external and internal media communications and public relations including crisis communications for Orlando International and Orlando Executive airports. Among her responsibilities is the acquisition and maintenance of the airport’s public art collection. In addition to her tenure at the Aviation Authority, her experience includes positions as a television program host, publicist for Walt Disney World and production assistant to Peter Jennings for ABC News in London.
Vicki Jaramillo, Senior Director of Air Service Development & Marketing
In her position at the Aviation Authority, Vicki Jaramillo is responsible for domestic and international air service development, strategic planning for new routes, airline relationships, passenger marketing and advertising, aviation research and the Aviation Authority’s website. She has nearly 30 years of aviation marketing experience in Orlando and Miami, as well as 13 years of tourism leadership that included positions with Walt Disney World marketing and economic development experience in Florida.
Kathy Bond, Senior Director of Human Resources & Risk Management
Kathy Bond directs all the Aviation Authority’s Human Resources functions that include employee and labor relations, compensation, HRIS, benefits, staffing, training, development and associated regulatory compliance. In 2016, Bond assumed oversight of the Risk Management Department. She has more than 28 years of experience in the human resources field.
Women can be found in many other leadership roles throughout the Aviation Authority in areas such as technology, airport operations, emergency management and information systems.
