As Director of Strategic Airspace Programs, Joe Bertapelle leads New York’s Hometown Airline’s efforts to develop and improve upon airspace management strategies, focusing on how NextGen airspace technology will affect JetBlue. As a result JetBlue is recognized as a leader in operational deployment and successful implementation of NextGen initiatives. JetBlue was the first to certify and install ADSB-out 260B transponders and demonstrates operational benefits in the Gulf of Mexico.  

Joe serves on a variety of industry groups and action teams, including NextGen Advisory Sub Committee, Research Engineering and Development advisory Committee (REDAC), REDAC Operations Committee, RTCA Tactile Operations Committee and Co-Chair of RTCA Enhanced Surveillance Work Group.

Joe joined JetBlue in 2007 as Director of System Operations. Early on, his team re-engineered the airline’s System Operation Center’s process, structure and procedures and achieved improved operational reliability.

From 2004 to 2007, he worked for the MITRE Corporation, Center for Advanced Aviation System Development, a Federal Funded Research Development Company. In the 28 years prior, Joe worked for American Airlines in their System Operations Control Center in various levels of leadership and responsibility. Joe has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Meteorology from St. Louis University.