39th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference Draws Over 1,500 Attendees to Nashville, TN to Promote DEI in the Aviation Industry

The 39th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference, which took place August 3–7, 2024, in Nashville, TN connected over 1,500 attendees who engaged in education, advocacy and networking opportunities that promote diversity and inclusion in the aviation and aerospace industries. We thank the conference host, the Nashville International Airport, and the City of Nashville for their generous support. We also extend special thanks to all the attendees, speakers and sponsors; without their support, the conference couldn’t have occurred. We hope you will attend the 40th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference in June 2025 in New Orleans, LA!

Our Opening Session was off to a sky-high start with welcome remarks from Congressman Steven Horsford Nevada House of Representatives 4th District/Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell; and USDOT Acting Under Secretary Christopher Coes. Attendees also heard a keynote address from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Founder & CEO Fawn Weaver.

We hosted an all-star AMAC Legends & Leapers lineup, which included Anthony Anderson, Cedric The Entertainer, Ronald Isley & Kandy Isley, who shared their flourishing business products and journey to enter the aviation industry. The Nashville Welcome Reception welcomed guests with booming beats and comedy featuring award-winning R&B group After 7 and Cedric The Entertainer.

We’re thankful for the participation of our elected and government officials at the conference and for their immense continued support of AMAC, including USDOT Acting Under Secretary Christopher Coes, Congressman Steven Horsford, Harold Love Jr., Tennessee House of Representatives 58th District and USDOT Office of Civil Rights Director Irene Marion. A key pillar of the AMAC Strategic Plan is advocacy. We continue to advocate for policies that result in positive workplace, supplier and business diversity and contracting outcomes.

Over 140 speakers provided coveted insights, actionable resources and tools to help attendees through relevant, informative and inspirational workshops focused on key tracks: Concessions; Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC); Airports; and FAA/USDOT.

SSP America also treated attendees to the ultimate nightclub vibe with a surprise performance from rapper 2 Chainz, top-notch DJs, a bubbly bar featuring SSP America Sommelier Zach Olson and a fun late-night menu—this party was the place to be!

Concessions Track Workshop Speakers:

Industry Leaders & Supplier Diversity Pros

Holli Harrington, Senior Director, Equity & Opportunity, Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Steve Johnson, President & CEO, North America, Avolta
Gregg Paradies, CEO, Paradies Lagardère
Michael Svagdis, CEO, SSP America

On-Ramps & Mentoring for Diverse Firms

Denise Bailey, Vice President, Business Diversity & Accessibility, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Suzette Bather-Taylor, Program Director, The Port Authority of NY and NJ (PANYNJ)
Ashley Hari, Leasing Director, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW)
Clarence LeJeune, Operating Partner, LeJeune & Associates
Jeanette Saunders, Vice President, Education & Advisory Services, Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)

Innovate to Elevate: Digital & AI Trends in Concessions Consumer Insights

Christina Apatow, Founder & CEO, FetchyFox
Nikki Harland, Chief Operating Officer, Paradies Lagardère
Maurice Jenkins, Chief Innovation Officer, Miami-Dade County Aviation Department (MDAD)
Ted Kaplan, Chief Business & Innovation Officer, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Jordi Martin-Consuegra, Deputy CEO & President, North America, Avolta

Strategic Branding & Marketing in Airport Concessions

Lynnwood Bibbens, Founder & CEO, Pervasive Corp. dba ReachTV
Paul Brown, Senior Director, Brands & Concepts, SSP America
Erin Burns, Director, Communications, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Dawn Kelly, Founder & CEO, The Nourish Spot, Inc.
Kevin Yates, President & CEO, 16×9 Inc.

AEC Track Workshop Speakers:

Airport Infrastructure Programs & M/WBE as Primes

Niqui Clark, Deputy Chief Engineer, Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA)
Crystal Lee, Deputy Executive Director, The Development Group, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Dwight Pullen, Senior Vice President, Global Aviation – Americas Leader, AECOM
Franklin Rucker, Airport Senior Deputy General Manager, Infrastructure, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Jim Starling, Chief Construction & Infrastructure Officer, Denver International Airport (DEN)

Airport Development Programs

Jack Christine, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Dennis Kramer, Commissioner, Airport Development, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Max Marble, Senior Vice President, Capital Programs, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA)
Edwin Tamang, Vice President, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.

Modified Microgrids: Integrating Electric Vehicles to Support the Airport Energy Evolution

John Bevilacqua, Electrical Project Manager, Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA)
Dillon Chado, Director, Facilities, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA)
Johnny Jackson, Infrastructure Area Leader, RS&H, Inc. – Dallas
Kevin Sandrella, Partner, CMTA, Inc.
Lindsey Tollefson, Senior Energy & Power Program Manager, Jacobs

Innovative Construction Technology

Fabian Cornelious, Assistant Vice President, Infrastructure and Capital Improvement, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
James Dean, Project Executive, Walsh Group
David Kim, Chief, Airport Planning, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Franklin Rucker, Airport Senior Deputy General Manager, Infrastructure, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Airports Track Workshop Speakers:

Powering the Future of Airports

Staci Atwater, Energy Manager, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Ralph Cleveland, President & CEO, American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE)
Mabell Garcia Paine, President & CEO, Viridis Consulting, LLC
Nick May, Director, Aviation, Burns Engineering

Empowering Diversity: Leadership Strategies for Inclusive Airport Procurement & Concessions

Doug Kreulen, President & CEO, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA)
Lance Lyttle, Managing Director, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Cindy Nichol, Airports Director, Sacramento County Airport System (SCAS)
Davita Taylor, Vice President, Procurement & Business Diversity Development, Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Phillip Washington, CEO, Denver International Airport (DEN)

Navigating ESG Reporting for Sustainable Airport Operations

Ava Cabey, Airport Planning, DBE Program Coordinator, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Melinda Pagliarello, Managing Director, Environmental Affairs, Airports Council International – North America
Melissa Sabatine, Vice President, Aviation Carbon Response & Sustainability Lead, Jacobs

Developing a Culture of Innovation at Your Airport

Rose Agnew, Principal, Aviation Innovation, LLC
Andrea Albo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Denver International Airport (DEN)
Stacey Armstead, Deputy Chief Airport Technology & Innovation, Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA)
Brian Cobb, Chief Innovation Officer, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Karen Scott, Principal & Owner, Inspired Strategies LLC

FAA/USDOT Track Workshop Speakers:

Navigating the New Changes to ACDBE/DBE Certification Eligibility & Procedures

Lakwame Anyane-Yeboa, Equal Opportunity Specialist, DBE Programs Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT
Samuel Brooks, Equal Opportunity Specialist, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT
Marc Pentino, Associate Director, DBE Programs Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT
Babette Salmon, Equal Opportunity Specialist, DBE Programs Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT

Elevating Equity in Airport Concessions: The New ACDBE Small Business Element

Alex Horton, National Team Lead, FAA
Mary Kate Bird, Attorney/Advisor, Airport Law Branch, FAA
Khalia Moore, Senior Manager, Airport Dining and Retail, Port of Seattle (SEA)
Azad Saeed, Equal Opportunity Specialist, FAA
Renee Standing Tree, Equal Opportunity Compliance Specialist, FAA

Final Rule Q&A: Expert Insights for Airport Staff Only

Lakwame Anyane-Yeboa, Equal Opportunity Specialist, DBE Programs Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT
Herlinda Bradley, Equal Opportunity Specialist, FAA
Samuel Brooks, Equal Opportunity Specialist, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT
Nicholas Giles, Acting Team Lead, National Airport Civil Rights Policy & Compliance, FAA
Alex Horton, National Team Lead, DBE/ACDBE Program Compliance, Office of Civil Rights, FAA
Elizabeth Newman, Senior Attorney-Airports & Environmental Law Division, FAA
Marc Pentino, Associate Director, DBE Programs Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT
Dolores Spriggs, Equal Opportunity Specialist, FAA

Breakfast and Q&A with FAA (Airport Personnel Only)

Herlinda Bradley, Equal Opportunity Specialist, FAA
Mary Kate Bird, Attorney/Advisor, Airport Law Branch, FAA
Elizabeth Newman, Senior Attorney-Airports & Environmental Law Division, FAA
Marc Pentino, Associate Director, DBE Programs Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, USDOT
Gene Roth, Director, National External Operations & Policy, FAA
Azad Saeed, Equal Opportunity Specialist, FAA

Airport Opportunities Presentations:

Rebekah Bray, Principal Property Manager, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC)
Pamela Dechant, Senior Vice President, Concessions, Denver International Airport (DEN)
Janet Lee, Concessions Program Manager, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Clarissa Mamaril, Senior Principal Property Manager, San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

It didn’t stop there! The AMAC Foundation hosted their premier and highly-anticpated events.

The Bill Walker Memorial Golf Tournament at Topgolf Nashville was an unforgettable event. It marked the first-ever all-white day party with live music, a DJ, celebrity guests, and exciting raffle prizes. Over 300 participants enjoyed a day of fun and camaraderie, all supporting the AMAC Foundation Scholarship Fund. This tournament continues to be a premier event, blending entertainment with a meaningful cause.

Project LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) at Tennessee State University’s SMART Innovation Technology Center. Over 100 students in grades 8-12 from Tennessee to Louisiana participated in an immersive experience, using virtual reality, augmented reality and hologram simulations to explore careers in aviation and aerospace. This hands-on event inspired the next generation of leaders—making a lasting impact on the students’ career aspirations.

750 attendees gathered at the Celebrating Women in Aviation Breakfast & Scholarship Awards to honor women who have charted paths of ascension for future generations in aviation. The keynote speaker, USDOT Office of Civil Rights Director Irene Marion, received the newly renamed Angela Gittens Woman of the Year Award. We also heard from AMAC Foundation Scholarship recipient Ryan Carr, who shared how the scholarship profoundly impacted his life. The event was a powerful celebration of leadership, inspiration and the future of aviation. During the program, Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and entertainment, announced the creation of the Delaware North Aviation Scholarship Fund (DNASF) $50,000 scholarship fund that will be distributed over the next five years, providing $10,000 annually through 2028 to deserving scholarship recipients. The DNASF aims to support minority students pursuing careers in aviation-related fields, such as engineering, architecture, construction, business management, supply chain management, economics, accounting, communications, computer science, finance and other related disciplines at accredited universities. The exact amount of each scholarship will be determined jointly by the AMAC Foundation and Delaware North.

RESOURCES & SURVEYS

THANK YOU SPONSORS

Opening/Day 3 Recap

It was a festive Nashville night as guests gathered at the welcome reception to the 39th Annual Airport Minority Advisory Council Airport Business Diversity Conference. Partygoers danced to live music from the iconic R&B group After 7. And the man who lives up to his name, Cedric The Entertainer, had guests rolling with laughter.

Bright and early Monday morning, the conference “officially” began with a warm southern welcome by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell. Over 1300 business owners, aviation, and government officials from around the country gathered to hear AMAC President & CEO Eboni Wimbush set the agenda, which range in topics from how to do business at airports to public policy issues impacting the entire aviation industry. Then Douglas Kreulen, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority President & CEO, joined an esteemed panel of airport directors for the 20/20 Vision Forum to discuss the exciting future of airports and the aviation industry.

After lunch, the excitement began to build as the Tennessee State University marching band gathered the crowd to signal that the grand exhibition hall was now open. Attendees wandered the exhibit floor exploring airport concessions and services and learned about the latest technology in the aviation industry. Next, one of the conference’s highlights is Business Matchmaking, where AMAC connects airports and primes to small businesses to learn about each other and foster real opportunities. It’s an occasion for contacts to become contracts!

The aviation industry is known for creating opportunities for young professionals from all different backgrounds in many disciplines, and nowhere is that more apparent than with AMAC’s Emerging Leaders. So before calling it a day, young professionals from across the country gathered to discuss different perspectives and careers, enjoying robust conversations over a few drinks at the AMAC Emerging Leaders cocktails and conversation program. It was a great way to end an even greater day!

Day 4 Recap

It was an early morning to a busy day as a full house gathered for the AMAC Foundation Celebrating Women in Aviation Breakfast & Scholarship Awards to listen to personal and professional experiences from dynamic women in the aviation industry. AMAC Foundation Chair Sunshine White and Vice Chair Dawn Hunter Christy welcomed attendees and introduced keynote speaker Irene Marion, Director of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Civil Rights. Shortly after breakfast, an esteemed panel of experts discussed the importance of diversity and inclusion in political and business engagements, public policy, and the aviation economy overall.

Then, it was down to business as AMAC members and leadership connected to share knowledge and discuss the advancement of the AMAC agenda related to the aviation industry and ratify the AMAC election results. After an afternoon of varying workshops, it was time for a little fun as attendees gathered over light bites, cocktails, and a little sneak peek of next year’s 40th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference in New Orleans.

But the day was not done; after long hours of meetings and sessions, it was time to relax poolside as ReachTV and Crews hosted a fun highlight of the conference, AMAC After Dark. Guests gathered and mingled under the stars of a balmy Nashville night, enjoying food, drink and terrific conversation while a DJ entertained for an unforgettable evening. Ending another successful AMAC day!

Closing/Day 5 Recap

The last day of the 39th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference began with an AMAC ALC Fireside Chat, which continued a series of discussions to support women in navigating and elevating their careers to senior-level opportunities within the aviation industry. An outstanding panel of women from across the country shared their personal stories as they offered their best advice. In another AMAC session, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s (BNA) Tracy Holton and Stacy Nickens talked with participants about BNA airport and discussed potential business opportunities at their airport.

Among the final sessions of the conference was the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Q&A breakfast. Moderated by Mary Kate Byrd, an attorney from the legal branch of the FAA, an esteemed panel of representatives from the FAA and DOT led an in-depth discussion about policy and best practices and answered the many questions asked by airport personnel.

It was time to wrap things up from another successful AMAC conference and say goodbye to old friends and new business partners until next year. We will see you in New Orleans in 2025 for the 40th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference!