I have enjoyed a fabulous career in and around aviation with some 18 years with a Holiday company long since acquired by TUI including Orion Airways our in house charter airline, 5 years with AT&T leading their UK travel and Aviation division then most relevantly 10 years with Servisair rising to the giddy heights of CEO Pax ramp and cargo.
Obsessed with customer quality and recognising individuals and departments that make a real difference to customers I am delighted to be involved with GHI in this industry leading recognition process
Mohammed has over 30 years’ experience in the ground handling, aviation, and logistics sector.
Mohammed joined Unilode in November 2022 after 11 years at dnata (Emirates Group), most recently as Chief Commercial Officer Europe.
Prior to dnata, Mohammed spent over 20 years with Servisair in various roles in Ground and Cargo Handling starting from operations through to Senior Executive positions.
With over 37 years’ aviation experience Liam has covered a wide variety of operational roles from Ramp Services to Head of Aerodrome Operations. Liam has a broad range of expertise covering; Operational Safety Management, Winter Operations, Habitat & Wildlife and has led on a variety of initiatives such as GSE Pooling, Remote Engines Running Aircraft de-icing and is one of the founders of the Safety Culture Stack, a collaborative body encompassing all key airside stakeholders in driving improvements in safety and operational performance. Liam has also played a pivotal role in the development of airside infrastructure. Liam has considerable experience in building high performing, multi-skilled teams and his work in all these areas has received attention globally. Liam continues to share his knowledge and expertise as an independent advisor.
Daniel is a highly experienced international sales professional, with a technical background, having studied at Brooklands and Open University London. Having grown up in South West London and lived in countries both in Asia Pacific and the Middle East – Daniel’s international cultural experience, coupled with having worked in the GSE industry for a good number of years, equipes him well to join our panel of judges.
Wolfgang has more than 20 years of experience in aviation and has held numerous management positions in ramp handling, cargo and passenger handling. He set up a centralised load control company before he decided to move into consulting.
In 2021 he joined HiSERV – Smart GSE as Head of Sales & Marketing. A specific passion is his interest in how people behave and decide. This led him into game theory and the quest to apply it to the aviation industry.
Roger Larreur has over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry. Beginning his career with Braniff Airlines, in Orlando, Florida, he went on to hold various senior and executive operational management positions with PanAm, Alitalia, Silver Airways (formerly Gulfstream International), and American TransAir.
In 2002, he began his career at the largest global ground handling company, Swissport USA, Inc, a division of Swissport International, as General Manager for Orlando Sanford and Orlando International Airport. Throughout his twenty years in the company, he served in various executive leadership positions including Vice President of Sales – East Region, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for NOAM, and finally, Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, was responsible for commercial and contract management for all lines of business in the NOAM and LATAM region.
During his 20 years with Swissport, his affiliations included the following: Swissport Japan Ltd Member, Board of Directors (March 2013-May 2016); IATA (INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION) AGSA Member (May 2011-September 2015); ASPA (Airline Service Providers Association) Member, Board of Directors (2013-2015);
In April of 2022, he was appointed by Alliance Ground International (AGI) as Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for all commercial and contracts management. During his time as CCO, he has led the commercial integration of three companies acquired by AGI – Total Airport Services, Airport Terminal Services, and MIC Cargo.
Laura McGrath leads Marketing & Corporate Communications at Mallaghan. She graduated from Ulster University with an Honours Degree in Communications and Public Relations and has been part of the Mallaghan team for the past three years. Since joining, she has found a new passion for the GSE industry and has made some amazing connections over the years, including having the fantastic opportunity to create a Women of GSE network alongside Abbie Hepler and Karla Harrington. Her role allows her to collaborate and lead on a variety of projects, from commercial initiatives to community engagement and public relations. She is passionate about their products, people, and company culture, and she loves bringing their brand’s story to life through strategic marketing and communication efforts.
Racheal Ndegwa is an accomplished and innovative CEO with over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, having held senior leadership positions. She currently the CEO/Director of Swissport Kenya and Head of East and Southern Africa region.
Since its establishment in 1996, Swissport has been a leading provider of ground handling services, operating in 44 countries worldwide that include 11 in the Middle East and Africa region.
As one of the first female Kenyan CEOs in the aviation sector, Racheal has built a strong reputation in ground handling, specializing in operational excellence, business strategy, and organizational growth. Her expertise includes optimizing ground handling processes, enhancing service delivery, driving business transformation, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Throughout her career, Racheal has successfully led high-performing teams, strengthened stakeholder relationships, and implemented innovative solutions to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. A strong advocate for talent development, she is committed to empowering employees to reach their full potential.
In recognition of her leadership and contributions to the industry, she was recently honored as Air Cargo Woman Leader of the year 2025 by STAT Trade Times.
Leading through innovation, William is the Director of Airport solutions for Ozion. He has overseen the effective use of technology to transform operations for assisted passengers in the full range of airport sizes, from smaller regional to large airport hubs. An active listener, William strives to understand all the stakeholder’s needs to ensure the best possible solutions.
Gary D. Ogden is an accomplished Senior Executive with more than 35 years of success across the aviation, transportation, construction, and consulting industries. Leveraging extensive experience in leading start-ups & business development efforts, managing infrastructure/project initiations, and navigating global aviation markets, he is truly passionate about the opportunity to support his latest venture; ONET Québec,.
Using core values of ‘Respect’ and ‘Transparency’ Gary’s success has been in developing the careers of his Team and developing work contacts into ‘Work Friends’…establishing an extensive network of Airport, Airline and Service Company contacts - building commercial profitability along the way.
In 2012, Gary was the driving force in the creation and establishment of GTA World Cargo and GTA Ground Handling; in only three years of operation the business was scouted, evaluated and ultimately purchased by dnata for massive gains; a testament to its success and potential growth.
With great pride and a sense of accomplishment, Gary lists the opening of Trillium Terminal Three, Toronto and Ashgabat International Airport, Turkmenistan as part of his legacy and contribution; the tactile results of many days and nights readying these facilities for opening, was truly satisfying.
Gary’s consultative knowledge has been sought from all four corners of the globe; with projects in China; Central Europe, Mexico; the Bahamas; El Salvador; The US & Canada – all benefitting from his unique style of networking, collaboration, information acquisition, presentation and ‘never-say-die’ Skills.
A “Leader from the Front”, he is passionate about providing his expertise and network, to the generations of professionals that follow. He is also committed to furthering the cause of environmental awareness and the ‘cleaning and greening’ of the Aviation Industry.
In Ground Handling, serving as Servisair’s VP Business Development, The Americas - Gary was involved and instrumental in the creation, launch and commercial success of Central Deicing Facilities (CDF’s) in Toronto and Winnipeg. The success of Servisair’s entire Winter Ops Suite is a testament to the work and drive he and his Colleagues have for these truly Canadian ‘mission-critical’ services.
Throughout his executive career, Gary has held leadership positions with organizations including; Illumin Drone Shows, GO Above & Beyond Aviation, Wingstars Limited, GTA Aviation, GTA dnata, Servisair, Lockheed Air Terminal and Sunwing Airlines Inc. and is also the Chief Executive Officer of GO Green Aviation; a global aviation consultancy and aviation services provider.
Gary graduated with Honours from York University with his bachelor’s in urban studies, focussed on Transportation Planning.
As an active Board Member, he is currently serving on the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR)-Canada, as Director/Treasurer; also previously on the Aviation Advisory Board of Georgian College; as well as several volunteer boards.
Sam is the Editor of Ground Handling International magazine and Ramp Equipment News but is excited to announce this year she will also be taking on the role as Conference Producer for Ground Handling International, working alongside Max and the team. She started in the industry in 2021, hitting the ground running, travelling and meeting key players across the world, learning and reporting on the fascinating insights concerning the industry and building important client relationships. She has more than 20 years of experience in journalism, with previous newspaper and magazine publishers, with at least eight years’ experience in B2B publishing. She has a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages and European Studies.
With over 25 years experience in aviation, spanning ground handling and airline operations, Nick brings a strong track record of delivering operational excellence, driving continuous improvement and championing safety across the industry.
His career began at Swissport where he worked in multiple roles within the ground handling sector before moving to Monarch Airlines where he worked as a Performance Manager and for the last 9 years at easyJet where he led the Ground Operations Quality and Safety Team.
Nick’s notable achievements include leading the design and implementation of a new safety risk management framework for easyJet Ground Operations, developing industry-adopted restart protocols during the global pandemic and spearheading continuous improvement initiatives that have delivered measurable performance gains without compromising safety.
Debra is an aviation professional with 38 years of industry experience. She currently serves as Director of Sales at Inland Deicing Services (IDS), a role she has held since 2022.
Known for her natural curiosity and strong problem-solving mindset, Debra began her career in airline operations and steadily expanded her expertise across a wide range of areas, including ramp and weight and balance training, operational safety audits, reservations, group travel, charter operations, airport contracts, airline merger and consolidation project management, winter operations and deicing programs, and airport services procurement.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Debra is an active supporter of industry collaboration and mentorship. She helped establish a women’s networking group within the SAE G12 Deicing Committee and is a member of Women of GSE, contributing to efforts that promote connection and advancement for women in the aviation and ground support equipment industries.
Jennifer Zecchino is a dynamic marketing and communications executive with decades of experience in aviation, aerospace, and ground support equipment (GSE). As Executive Director of IAEMA, she champions industry growth, member engagement, and global visibility for aviation equipment manufacturers.
Her background includes leadership roles with top GSE manufacturers such as JBT AeroTech, ITW GSE, and Bye Aerospace. Jennifer understands the needs of end users and consistently delivers strategies that drive brand impact and operational value. Her deep passion for aviation and commitment to excellence fuel her ability to build strong industry partnerships, launch high-impact campaigns, and position organizations as market leaders.
She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in Aviation Technology from Metropolitan State University of Denver. A certificated FAA pilot, Jennifer brings a unique blend of technical knowledge and marketing expertise to every initiative.
