WELCOME
The Change You Want, The Leadership You Need
Rinaldi Consultants collectively brings more than 100 years of expertise in aviation safety, efficiency, modernization and developing collaborative decision-making processes.
Experience, Knowledge, and Guidance
Provides expertise in aviation safety, efficiency, and modernization. We help organizations develop and guide collaborative decision-making processes that result in win-win outcomes. Our team of seasoned experts collaborates closely with clients to develop strategic roadmaps, optimize operations, and drive sustainable growth within the dynamic aviation landscape.
SERVICES
Taking Your Business to
the Next Level
LEADERSHIP SOLUTIONS
Rinaldi Consultants provides their clients with the same leadership solutions that have helped make the United States aviation system the gold standard in the world. Our collaborative approach has translated to successful deployment of new technologies, the implementation of new policy and procedures, and bridging the gap between private/public partnerships. Collaboration takes a lot of work, time and patience. The key is experience and having someone on your team who can guide you through all the bumps and hurdles. We teach our clients how collaboration with Unions and Industry became the preferred way of doing business at the Federal Aviation Administration.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Strategic planning is a process used by organizations to define their direction, make decisions, allocate resources, and set priorities to achieve long-term goals. Leaders and organizations typically base their decisions and strategies on emotions that may feel right at the moment but are wrong in the long term. Rinaldi Consultants goal is for you to go from playing checkers to chess. Strategic planning involves analyzing the current state of the organization, envisioning where it wants to be in the future, and creating a roadmap to get there.
GOVERNMENT NAVIGATION AND INFLUENCE
Our team has more than a decade working with top government officials to bring about results. We know how to navigate the procurement process, craft legislation, and advocate effectively. We can help you avoid the pitfalls of bureaucracy and partisanship to attain results.
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING AND TRAINING
Whether it's a keynote address, consulting on a large or pressing issue or building a program or campaign, We have solutions to meet your needs.
We provide engaging, insightful, and relevant keynote addresses that are applicable to any industry or organization. Our experienced team has instructed and entertained audiences of all kinds on the topics of:
Leadership Development
Human Factors
Risk Management
Collaboration
Personal Improvement
EFFECTIVE TRAINING
Welcome to a new way to empower your people.
Rinaldi Consultants specializes in training. As frontline employees in various government agencies, we saw firsthand what ineffective training looks like. So, we set out to change it. We develop content that won’t just check a box on a form that requires training be done, our courses will have your employees wanting more. We are a company steeped in experience in leadership, collaboration, risk management and human factors. Whether your business objective is safety, efficiency, or profit, our services apply to you. There is one common factor in every organization and that is its people. All too often, they are taken for granted and set up to fail through a lack of training, leadership and a culture of safety. Our objective is to help you empower human performance which in turn will maximize your organization's mission.
CONFERENCE EXECUTION
Successful conference planning requires meticulous attention to detail, effective communication, strong organizational skills, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances to create a memorable and impactful event. The team at Rinaldi Consultants have years of experience with planning industry conferences. These events allow you to bring individuals and businesses to an event that showcases your goals and objectives. Through relationship building within the industry, you can become a leader that others look to for direction, information, and networking. Our team is here to work with you every step of the way to create and develop a successful conference or event.
We’re Good with Numbers
100+
Years of Experience
4
Qualified Experts
8
Partners
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
View Our Partners
ABOUT
Aviation Expertise
Our leadership team started their careers in various aspects of aviation. From maintenance technicians to air traffic controllers, we developed common character traits that have guided our careers. We help our clients adopt these same characteristics.
Precision: The precision that aviation uses to ensure safety also ensures a company/organizations efficiency and profits.
Calm Under Stress: Poor decision making is almost a guarantee when made under stressful conditions. The term that encapsulates the idea of staying calm under stress is "poise." Poise refers to a composed and self-assured manner, especially in challenging or high-pressure situations. Someone who remains calm, collected, and maintains their presence of mind during stressful circumstances can be described as having poise.
Attention to Detail: Air Traffic Controllers learn to detect even the smallest details. Whether it be the inflection in a pilots voice indicating something is wrong or a seemingly insignificant piece of erroneous data in a flight plan, paying attention to the details is vital.
Leadership: In a safety industry, leaders aren’t necessarily those with the title. Instead, it is that person most qualified to handle the current situation.
Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failures, and persist in the face of challenges is crucial for career success. Resilient individuals view obstacles as opportunities for growth.
Adaptability: Being flexible and adaptable in different work environments and situations allows individuals to adjust to changes, learn new skills, and thrive in evolving industries.
Networking: Building and nurturing professional relationships can open doors to opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship, fostering career growth and support.
Rinaldi Consultants helps their clients develop and deploy these same characteristics that are universal to any industry.
OUR TEAM
Meet the Team
Chief Executive Officer
Kelly Richardson
Kelly has worked for 20+ years strengthening organizations image, brand, credibility, and impact within various industries. While working as the Outreach and Special Events Manager for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), Kelly led the planning and execution of one of aviation’s largest safety conferences, Communicating for Safety. He spearheaded other events, including legislative, industry outreach, and training conferences and events. At every one of these events, he successfully increased the attendance, sponsorships, and credibility.
Later, as NATCA’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, he enabled the recruitment of world-class talent to fulfill NATCA’s mission by formalizing a talent acquisition program that focused on shared goals. He enhanced NATCA’s fundraising, optimized their industry partnerships both domestic and abroad, and served as their spokesperson to local, national and international constituencies.
Kelly specializes in executive communications, building and growing employee/community/industry-wide engagement, and brand development and crisis response.
Before joining NATCA, Kelly served in the U.S. Navy as a Jet Engine Mechanic.
Vice President of Operations
Sandy Tighe
Sandy brings 25 years of experience as an Enroute Air Traffic Controller at the New York and Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC), where she developed deep technical expertise in ERAM and complex airspace operations. Her extensive background in real-time decision-making, traffic management, and system implementation provides clients with a uniquely practical and operationally grounded perspective.
Beyond her technical credentials, Sandy is equally recognized for her organizational and leadership strengths. She has served in key roles for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, contributing to major events, conferences, and leadership initiatives. In these positions, she excelled at designing and managing programs, coordinating large-scale projects, and strengthening organizational partnerships. Her work played a significant role in expanding their sponsorships, visibility, and industry credibility.
At Rinaldi Consultants, Sandy combines her operational expertise and strategic organizational skills to deliver clear, actionable guidance to clients navigating complex aviation, training, and leadership environments.
Director of Training and Terminal Operations
Richard Kennington
Richard Kennington’s aviation career began at Utah Valley State College (UVSC), where he earned his private pilot rating while working as a flight dispatcher. These early experiences laid the foundation for his ultimate ambition of becoming an Air Traffic Controller. While pursuing his studies in Pittsburgh, PA, Richard gained valuable experience as an assistant airport manager at Beaver County Airport.
In 1999, Richard was hired by the FAA to work at Portland Tower, Oregon. After earning his certification, he sought opportunities to broaden his expertise, including developing courses for UVSC's online aviation program. In 2003, his efforts were recognized when he and his team won the Innovative Programming Award from the University Continuing Education Association for their development of online aviation science courses.
From 2008 to 2020, Richard served as the Facility Representative for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) at Portland International Airport (PDX). In 2012, he contributed to the Safety Risk Management Panel, which played a pivotal role in establishing Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFARs) for Pearson Field in Vancouver, WA. The following year, Richard was appointed to lead the Northwest Mountain Region on NATCA’s National Legislative Committee.
Richard joined the FAA’s national cadre for recurrent training in 2012, delivering bi-annual facilitated training sessions. In 2016, he was selected to develop and deliver training for the FAA, successfully executing 18 rounds of training over an eight-year period. Concurrently, he continued to lead the regional legislative team and, in 2020, was appointed National Legislative Chair for NATCA.
Throughout his career, Richard has become known for his insightful, humorous, and engaging presentations, emceeing, and speaking at numerous conferences across the United States and Europe.
Director of Thought Leadership, Brand Storytelling, and Strategic Communications
Doug Church
Fueled by over 30 years of experience, first as a journalist and then as a skilled integrated communicator, Doug has a passion for great storytelling. He also craves being a story creator, helping clients bring their narrative to life with clear and effective content and messaging to influence and impact both internal and external audiences.
Doug also has a relentless drive for strong advocacy through sound strategy and using his extensive media relationships. He spent 22 years working to grow the National Air Traffic Controllers Association’s (NATCA) brand as a credible and trusted aviation safety organization and led efforts to shape key issues such as air traffic controller staffing and training and modernization. Doug created NATCA’s Archie League Medal of Safety Award, an example of his innovative ideas to raise and celebrate the public profile of the air traffic controller profession and attract widespread national and regional media attention for controllers’ life-saving work in emergency situations.
During three years with Wells Fargo’s media team, Doug worked at a critical time for the company to advance and implement successful media relations strategies that strengthened its brand while it transformed and improved its reputation.
Doug provides his clients with high energy, boundless optimism, endless possibilities, and a laser focus on achieving success. For some clients, that means helping them articulate solutions to make the aviation system better. For others, it’s also improving the way they communicate with their customers, their employees, and the public in an ever-changing and fragmented information delivery landscape. He believes despite the rise of artificial intelligence, every organization can benefit from an authentic, personalized voice to reflect its values and goals.
Founder & Strategic Advisor
Paul Rinaldi
A strategic and respected senior leader with vast experience in the air traffic control, aviation and government areas, Paul Rinaldi has served as President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) for 10+ years. He expanded NATCA’s leadership role and voice in the aviation industry by working collaboratively to improve the relationship between the Union, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation and all stakeholders (including Democratic/Republican White House administrations and Congress), leading to collaborative decisions on important issues involving aviation safety, effectiveness, and technology. His high integrity, collaborative spirit, dedication, and ability to lead by example and develop high-performing teams informs all his work, as does his knowledge and courage to make sound short- and long-term decisions for win-win outcomes. Paul has represented NATCA at the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO].
The Full Story
See Us in Action
PRESS ROOM
Rinaldi Consultants in the News
Richard Kennington on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom” Discussing the Longest Government Shutdown in History
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Our air traffic system is being held together with eBay parts
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Government Watchdog Calls F.A.A. Air Traffic Control Systems Critically Outdated
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How to become an Air Traffic Controller with Richard Kennington
Click Here to Listen to the Podcast
How to Fix America’s Aviation System
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Congress and the FAA Must Do these Things to Improve Air Travel
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Ancient Computers, Too Few Pilots and Air Traffic Controller Shortages, US Travel Could be a Rough Ride this Summer
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Flight Attendants and Pilots are Gearing Up for a Potentially Record-breaking Summer of Travel
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CONTACT
Let’s Work Together
12919 Champlain Drive
Manassas, VA 20112
