Wavelengths

The APEX Board of Directors Election opens on Friday, August 10 and SmartSky's VP of Airlines, Mary Rogozinski, is running. Learn more about Mary's experience and reason for running below. Have questions? Connect with Mary on LinkedIn to start a conversation about what's next for APEX.

I have a broad range of experience in our industry that I will bring with me as an APEX Board member, including:

• Working in both the airline and vendor communities
• Managing IFEC hardware and IFE content
• Managing inflight entertainment and inflight connectivity programs
• Developing customer products for both airplanes and airports
• Previously serving on the Board, as President and Board member, representing both airline and vendor companies

This experience has given me a deep understanding of the complexities of our industry and the many challenges faced by airlines, vendors and other members of the association. If elected to the Board, I will help move the association forward and work to improve the association for its members.

Reason for Running:

I am passionate about this industry and association. I see great value in the APEX organization and what APEX can do to support members through communications, programs and other benefits to help companies compete and grow their businesses.  I would like to return to the Board to continue to help influence the direction of the association in the future by enhancing communications with members, addressing broader areas of the passenger experience, growing membership, and raising the profile of the association within and beyond the IFEC community.

Industry Experience:

I have over 20 years of experience in the airline passenger experience industry.  I started my career at United Airlines where I had the opportunity to help define the cabin product and IFE for the very first B777.  I’ve since worked in a variety of positions, all focused on improving the airline passenger experience.  I currently work at SmartSky Networks, where we’re introducing a new high speed, bi-directional, and low latency inflight internet system that will provide passengers with IFC comparable to what they experience in their home or office. 

SmartSky Networks – VP, Airlines – 2015 – Present

As VP of Airlines, I’m responsible for introducing SmartSky within the commercial aviation industry and growing SmartSky into the IFC leader in the commercial airline sector, working closely with airlines, technology partners and others in the industry.

Gogo – Manager, Content Partnerships; Manager, Airline Accounts – 2009 to 2015

As Manager of Content Partnerships at Gogo, I was the in-house CSP for the Gogo Vision streaming video system, overseeing everything from selecting content partners, negotiating contracts and selecting the content for many of Gogo’s airline partners. As an Account Manager, I managed the day-to-day relationships with such Gogo customers as American Airlines, AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

United Airlines Product Marketing – Manager, Onboard Systems Planning; Manager, Airport Lounges; Senior Staff Representative – 1990 – 2008

As the Manager of Onboard Systems, I managed all of United’s IFEC systems, including strategy development, product definition, project justification, implementation, and on-going support. This included oversight of a $250M IFEC product upgrade on both short and long-haul aircraft. My introduction to IFEC was as a Senior Staff Representative at United, assigned to the team to develop requirements and support implementation for the inflight entertainment and communications system planned for the launch B777 and later retrofit on other UA aircraft. For several years, I managed all customer lounge facilities and technology offered within lounges, including the opening of new lounges, lounge refreshes and the initial installation of Wi-Fi in lounges. Throughout much of my time at United, I was very active on several Star Alliance committees, working to coordinate product offerings and policies across the member airlines.

Current and previous APEX committees / APEX Board experience:

APEX Education Committee Co-Chair – Sept 2013 to present – As co-chair of the Education Committee, it has been my goal to offer diverse agendas at conferences, addressing topics of keen interest to members and delivered by a broad range of industry and non-industry experts. 

APEX Education Committee – 2010 – present

APEX Board –2013 - 2015

WAEA Board Officer (Vice President, President and Immediate Past President) – 2002- 2005 – As President, I focused on developing a long-term strategic plan with emphasis on broadening the scope of membership and improved engagement of members.

WAEA Board – 1998 – 2005

WAEA Technology Committee Co-chair – 1999-2003 – As co-chair, I drove focus of the committee towards new technologies such as wireless and digital media. I initiated and helped coordinate the first ever WAEA single focus workshop which addressed wireless technology. Was a leader in the evaluation of the use of DVDs on aircraft, the first form of digital media identified for IFE.

You can vote for Mary in the APEX Board Election running 10 August through 10 September.