Armando Ochoa
Spring Hill
Summary
Seasoned airline leader with a proven history of success in airport operations, customer experience, security and ground operations. Skilled in leading multi-station airport teams, optimizing on-time performance, and building strong partnerships with airport authorities, ground service providers, and regulatory bodies. Expertise in driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and seamless passenger experiences while prioritizing safety and security compliance. Passionate about developing and mentoring teams, fostering a culture of growth, collaboration, and excellence across the network.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Senior Director of Airports
Silver Airways
03.2024 - Current
- Oversee budgetary activities and implement strategies to control operational cost and increase efficiency
- Spearhead overall Airport Operations strategy and provide strategic leadership resulting in a 30% operational performance improvement and a 20% increase efficiency on hours worked per departure by station
- Lead a diverse team of 300+ direct employees and ground handlers throughout the United States, Bahamas, Central and Southern Caribbean and successfully implementing a culture of process innovation gaining a 20% improvement in productivity
- Oversee all contractual and property affairs for the Airport Operations Department, with a deep understanding of airport fee structures and airport governance
- Oversee Departmental compliance with TSA, FAA, DOT, CBP, USDA, IOSA (IATA Ops Safety Audit) and DOD
- Departmental System owner for Operational Manuals and revisions under FAA Safety Management Systems (SMS)
Director of Airports
Silver Airways
07.2022 - 03.2024
- Streamlined operations and optimized station efficiency in the Bahamas Region leading to a 50% reduction in operating costs from the stations that where underperforming
- Led a team of 200+ employees and ground handlers in the United States and Bahamas
- Managed budgets over 25M, optimizing operational costs while maintaining service levels
- Reduced operational costs by reviewing and redesigning Standard Operating Procedures such as the airlines Regulatory Garbage Program which produced over $350K a year in savings
- Launched, designed and implemented station openings at new domestic and international markets at Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos
- Collaborated with multiple departmental stakeholders as Project Manager for all new station openings
Senior Area Manager and Project Manager
Silver Airways, LLC
11.2020 - 07.2022
- Developed, reviewed and implemented Ground Handling agreements for new and existing stations
- Launched, designed and implemented station openings at new domestic markets in Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida
- Enhanced Regional operational reliability by 20% by performance managing, process reviews and ground handler contractual service level enforcement
- Introduced technology utilizing existing resources to address operational inefficiencies that were later adopted by other operational departments within the airline
- Played a key role in mentoring and developing talent internal and external within the region by applying industry best practices, enhanced hiring practices, personnel scheduling optimization and performance managing strategies
Station Manager
Silver Airways, LLC
07.2018 - 07.2022
- Led a team of 50 direct and ground handled staff to achieve the best operational performance out of all airline gateway cities with a consistent 99% D0 head-start performance factor
- Oversaw the Ground handler transition and integration into direct airline staff
- Achieved a full station restructuring within less than a year that produced cost reductions and incremental operational efficiencies
- Oversaw station wide training initiatives, enhancing overall station performance by 20% year over year
- Collaborated and enhanced relationships with the Airport Authority ground service providers, airline business partners and governmental regulatory agencies
Customer Service Manager
Silver Airways, LLC
12.2016 - 07.2018
- Led a team of 25+ above wing team members
- Instituted performance managing practices that enhanced station on time performance and operational improvements by remaking the stations work culture
- Played a key role in the stations decision making boosting the airlines position within the airport
- Produced cost savings and operational efficiencies by optimization team member schedule, team mentoring and coaching
Station General Manager
Seaborne Airlines
10.2015 - 11.2016
Purchasing and Contracts Manager
Seaborne Airlines
03.2014 - 10.2015
Customer Service Supervisor
Seaborne Airlines
07.2012 - 03.2014
Education
Juris Doctor - Law
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, School of Law
PR05.2012
Bachelor's - Humanities
University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR05.2008
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Vendor Relationship Management
- Team Management
- Change Management
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvement
- Project Management
- Management
- Legal and regulatory Research
- Financial Oversight
- Contract Management and Negotiation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Supply Chain
- Operational Leadership
- Culture transformation
- Team management
- Policy development
Certification
- University of South Florida Modern Management Tools
- Conflict Mediator
Personal Information
- Willing To Relocate
- Authorized To Work: US for any employer
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Director of Airports
Silver Airways
03.2024 - Current
Director of Airports
Silver Airways
07.2022 - 03.2024
Senior Area Manager and Project Manager
Silver Airways, LLC
11.2020 - 07.2022
Station Manager
Silver Airways, LLC
07.2018 - 07.2022
Customer Service Manager
Silver Airways, LLC
12.2016 - 07.2018
Station General Manager
Seaborne Airlines
10.2015 - 11.2016
Purchasing and Contracts Manager
Seaborne Airlines
03.2014 - 10.2015
Customer Service Supervisor
Seaborne Airlines
07.2012 - 03.2014
Bachelor's - Humanities
University of Puerto Rico
Juris Doctor - Law
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, School of Law
Similar Profiles
Larry RoblesLarry Robles
Station Manager at Silver AirwaysStation Manager at Silver Airways
Mark MiersMark Miers
Check Airman/Sim Instructor at Silver AirwaysCheck Airman/Sim Instructor at Silver Airways
Jenmary DayJenmary Day
Flight Attendant at Silver AirwaysFlight Attendant at Silver Airways
Sara CosentinoSara Cosentino
Patient Care Technician- Telemetry Unit at HCA Oak Hill HospitalPatient Care Technician- Telemetry Unit at HCA Oak Hill Hospital
JESSICA BELYEWJESSICA BELYEW
Licensed Customer Service Representative at Tennessee Farm BureauLicensed Customer Service Representative at Tennessee Farm Bureau