AMAC Legends & Leapers: June 2024
AMAC Legends & Leapers is a virtual conversation series featuring an aviation industry legend and leaper.
Legend
Myrna White is nationally recognized for honing a remarkable career at the world’s busiest airport, trailblazing her way through the ranks to become the organization’s first Assistant General Manager for Public and International Affairs. After 32 years of distinguished service, Myrna retired from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2023.
With an exceptional ability to identify gaps and offer impactful solutions, Myrna created Hartsfield-Jackson’s Government Affairs and Community Engagement programs, among other key business units that stand today. Among other notable career achievements, she established an impactful Aviation Education Program and oversaw the development of the organization’s first brand guidelines and design of the Airport’s current logo, which is recognized around the globe.
Myrna’s exceptional leadership garnered commendation resolutions from the Georgia Senate and the State House of Representatives. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone, the Boys and Girls Club of Laurens and Johnson Counties and the ATL Chamber, where she is a past chair. She is also a former Airports Council International Marketing & Communications Committee Chair.
Her many accolades include the Pinnacle Leadership Award from the AMAC Foundation and the Legacy Award for Excellence in Creativity from ACI-North America. She was delighted by the ATL Airport administration’s installation of a plaque bearing her name adjacent to the fifth runway – in honor of her role in winning the community’s approval to build the runway.
Myrna now leverages her expertise at Everest Global Engagement, her public affairs practice, and Everest Specialties, an ACDBE-certified consultancy she plans to expand nationally. Inspired by the earth’s highest peak, her brand reflects her commitment to the highest standards of excellence and her reputation for integrity.
Leaper
As a Paradies Lagardère Vice President of Business Development, Ms. Woods is responsible for increasing the number of partner RFPs within assigned territory, ultimately increasing Paradies’ businesses, and developing and executing Paradies’ growth strategy. Ms. Woods has over ten years of progressive experience and a successful track record overseeing and enhancing a diversified property management portfolio. Ms. Woods previously served as the Savannah Airport Commission’s Manager of Properties & Executive Affairs, the main point of contact on risk management, contracts and leases, and executive affairs on behalf of the Airport Executive Director. Ms. Woods is an Accredited Airport Executive of the American Association of Airport Executives, holds a Master of Business Administration (2019), a Master of Public Administration (2013) (Savannah State University) and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration (2011) (Clark Atlanta University). An Atlanta native, Ms. Woods resides in Los Angeles, CA, with her husband, Gregory and their daughter, Gabrielle.
Moderators
Lauryn Mangum Reed
Secretary, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Emerging Leaders Committee
Executive Vice President, TMG Hospitality USA
Lauryn Mangum Reed is the Executive Vice President for TMG Hospitality USA, the Phoenix-based parent company, comprised of LAM Holdings, TMG Services, PMCS, and TMG Development; Award-winning Food and Beverage and Retail operations within airports, real estate and land development Lauryn is also the owner of Lauryn Ashley Management and Consulting, a boutique company that lends its expertise to individuals and small businesses for development, consulting, RFP creation and proposal assistance.
Over the last decade, Lauryn’s aviation industry experience has spanned from ACDBE (small business) start-up and operations to business development, strategic planning, innovation, and technology for multi-million- and billion-dollar international organizations. She is the Airport Minority Advisory Board (AMAC) Trade Board Secretary, AMAC’s Emerging Leaders Committee Chair, and Airport Council International North America (ACI-NA) Business Diversity Steering Committee member. She volunteers with the Salvation Army Metro Phoenix on its board initiatives.
Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lauryn left for warmer winters. She earned her BS in Business with a Minor in Communications from Arizona State University, where she became a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member. As a wife and mom of 2 littles, daughter Londyn and son Legend, Lauryn has an affinity for people, representation, and diversity in her day-to-day life. She strongly advocates for work/life synergy and empowers women to do everything they desire.
Ricky D. Smith
Chair, AMAC Board of Directors
CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
RICKY DORELL SMITH was appointed Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) on July 10, 2015. Mr. Smith is responsible for the management and operations of Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI Marshall), Martin State Airport, and regional aviation activities throughout the State of Maryland.
photo of Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Ricky Smith
Mr. Smith, a 32-year transportation professional, returned to Maryland after serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Airport System, which includes Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Burke Lakefront Airport. In addition, he was responsible for overseeing the development and management of the City’s lakefront properties.
Since returning to BWI Marshall, Mr. Smith has led the airport to five (5) consecutive record-setting years for passengers, including restoring BWI Marshall as the busiest airport in the Washington/Baltimore region and the Best Airport in North America for Customer Service, according to Airport Council International. Establishing a culture of performance, customer service, safety, and innovation, the airports have received several other national and regional awards for customer service, capital development, and marketing, including Emmy Awards in 2018 and 2019. In 2017, the LaunchPad program was started to enable minority-owned micro-businesses the opportunity to participate in BWI Marshall’s thriving food and retail program without barriers to entry. In 2015, he launched the BWI Marshall Youth Initiative to introduce Baltimore City youth to aviation and transportation careers. To date, over 100 youths have participated in this program.
Before his service in Cleveland, Mr. Smith served as the Chief Operating Officer for the MAA, where he helped lead BWI Marshall Airport through a $2 billion expansion program, increased air service throughout the world, and the creation of a new food and retail program. Before returning to the MAA, after a two-year departure, Ricky served as the Deputy Administrator for the Maryland State Highway Administration. In addition, he served in the private sector for several years with International Business Machines, H&R Block Business Services, The May Company, and others.
Ricky holds an Accounting degree from Howard University and an Executive MBA from Loyola University in Maryland. He graduated from several leadership programs, including the Greater Baltimore Committee and Leadership Cleveland. He is active on several national and local boards and industry associations, including the Airport Minority Advisory Council, where he serves as Board Chair, the American Association of Airport Executives, the Washington Board of Trade, the BWI Business Partnership, the World Trade Center Institute, Greater Baltimore Urban League where he serves as Board Chair, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture where he serves as Vice Board Chair, and the Morgan State University School of Communications Board of Advisors.
He has been recognized as the ‘Best State Executive for Minority Business Enterprise’ by the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association (2022), ‘Leon C. Watkins Guardian Award’ recipient by Airports Council International/North America (2020), ‘Man of the Year’ by Women Transportation Seminar (2019), ‘Leadership in Excellence’ by Leadership Anne Arundel (2019), ‘Power 10 CEO’ by the Baltimore Business Journal (2018), ‘People Who Move America’ by the Boys Scouts of America (2018), ‘Thomas G. Newsome Founder’s Leadership Award’ by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (2018), ‘Influential Marylander’ by The Daily Record (2017), the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association ‘Black History Hero’ award (2017), ‘Most Influential CEO in Northeast Ohio’ by Crain’s Magazine (2014, 2013), ‘National Executive of the Year’ by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (2010), and ‘Congressional Achievement Award’ from Congressman Elijah Cummings (2006).
