Leon Watkins, then Director of FAA Civil Rights, fully supported these efforts, laying the foundation for the first FAA Minority Business Seminar that was held in Miami, Florida from May 3–4, 1984. Richard Judy, then Director of Aviation at Miami International Airport, approved a request by his staff to host the Seminar. A six-person planning committee — Esterlene Lewis; C. W. “Bill” Jennings; Melvin McCray; Leon Watkins; Clement Monge; and Clark Sharpe – organized and executed the Seminar within a four-month period to focus mainly on creating an understanding of Part 23 and the range of opportunities that it could present. The 74 Seminar attendees, representing some of the largest airports in the country, were enthusiastic about the Part 23 regulation and prospects for enhancing business opportunities for minorities and women.
