Head, Business Developtment, The Americas
Lars Pottgiesser is IATA’s Head of Business Development for the Americas region, the trade association whose 290 member airlines transport more than 82% of total air traffic. Lars works with IATA’s ten local offices spread out in the Americas region from Canada to Chile, to proactively pursue IATA’s industry priorities with governmental authorities and industry stakeholders to make the air transport industry safer, more secure, efficient and profitable.
Over the past decade, Lars has worked in a variety of functions at IATA in the areas of data intelligence, passenger services, market research and is responsible for the execution of IATA’s Aviation Days and Wings of Change Conferences in the Americas. Prior to joining IATA, Lars worked for one of the leading Public Affairs firms in the Southeastern United States with a special focus on crisis communication and strategy development.
Fluent in English and German, and conversational in Spanish, Lars was born in Germany and received his Master’s Degree in International Business from the University of Tampa in Florida and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri while competing as a collegiate soccer player.
Chief of Staff
Klemen Ferjan has over 10 years of experience in aviation industry, both serving in international organizations and working with airlines as a Management Consultant.
He joined Amerijet International, a fully cargo airline out of MIA, in March 2018, where he currently serves as Chief of Staff, following his cross-functional consulting engagement in all areas of the business. Acting as CEO’s strategic partner and trusted advisor, Klemen is incorporating his vision of an Engineered and Disciplined approach to all areas of the business through newly established Business Transformation Team.
Prior to transitioning into the heart of aviation industry, he served 3 years as an Alternate Representative on the Council of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He has been representing Central European Rotation Group (CERG) in providing continuing direction to ICAO’s work of fostering safe, secure and sustainable international aviation. His area of special interest was economic development of air transport; hence as International Air Transport Association (IATA) Project Manager he revived Airline Cost Management Group (ACMG) in 2012 and significantly increased airlines’ annual participation ever since. Besides providing business intelligence to airlines he also organized numerous regional workshops, Steering Committee meetings, and annual Airline Cost Conference. As a Consultant he was designing cost efficiency consulting solutions for airlines, developing business opportunities, and successfully delivering personalized solutions.
Klemen holds an MBA degree, PMP Certificate, and Diploma in Civil Aviation Management. He is current Chair of Miami-Dade Beacon Council’s Aviation Committee, serves on Fondation Amal BOD, mentors young budding entrepreneurs, and is an avid judo instructor.
