AMAC Legends & Leapers: May 2026
AMAC Legends & Leapers is a virtual conversation series featuring an aviation industry legend and leaper.
Legend
Milan Patel is the President and Chief Executive Officer of OHM Concession Group, LLC (“OHM”), the leading independent airport food and beverage operator in the United States. With nearly three decades of industry experience, Milan has guided OHM’s evolution from a single restaurant at St. Louis Lambert International Airport into a national platform of 83 restaurants across 12 airports, supported by a team of approximately 1,000 employees.
Milan acquired full ownership of the company in 2012 and rebranded it as OHM, laying the foundation for a period of disciplined, sustained growth. Under his leadership, OHM has built long-standing partnerships with airports including STL, BWI, IAD, MCO, PNS, ALB, ACY, IND, SLC and MCI, and has earned a reputation for operational excellence, creative local-brand curation and a consistent track record of winning competitive RFPs. Notable recent milestones include OHM’s award of 25 units at the new Kansas City International Airport and its emergence as one of the largest food and beverage operator at Salt Lake City International Airport.
Milan has hands-on experience across every facet of concession operations — business development, design and construction, finance, vendor and brand relations, logistics, staffing and guest service. He is certified in each of the branded concept’s OHM represents and is widely recognized for cultivating bespoke local partnerships that bring the authentic culinary identity of each city into the airport environment. He successfully guided the company through the COVID-19 pandemic and positioned OHM for the strong post-pandemic growth it continues to experience today.
Under Milan’s leadership, OHM has earned numerous industry honors, including the ARN Best Concessions Winner (2016), ARN Best DBE Operator (2018), Airport Experience News Best Local Inspired Restaurant and Best Overall Concessions Program for the new MCI Airport (2024), and the 2025 FAB Award for Airport Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year for the Kansas City BBQ Experience. Milan was also named a 2023 St. Louis Titan 100 honoree, recognizing the region’s top CEOs and C-level executives.
Milan served as Central Regional Director of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) and is a board member of the United Service Organization (USO), Missouri Chapter. He is also active with ARN and the St. Louis regional business community. OHM is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
Leaper
Hersh Parekh is the Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Port Authority of NY and NJ. He leads a team that is responsible for relationship building, strategic engagement, and advocacy with elected officials and governmental partners at the local, state, and federal level, along with business, faith, civic, education, and other community leaders and stakeholders. Together, they work to ensure there is robust engagement, open lines of communication, and ongoing partnership with communities across the City of New York, especially those that host some of the country’s most important transportation infrastructure facilities. Hersh also oversees the government and community relations portfolio for many of the agency’s largest capital projects, including the $8 billion program to build A Whole New LaGuardia Airport, the $19 billion program to build A New JFK Airport, the $11 billion project to build a new Midtown Bus Terminal. His work has included negotiating to help advance projects and navigating regulatory approval and permitting processes, while also prioritizing the interests of the community and mitigating project impacts. In addition, Hersh serves as an advisor to Executive Director on intergovernmental issues, legislation, and policy matters.
Hersh has developed strategies and led efforts to ensure economic, workforce, and educational opportunities flow to the local community. These opportunities include M/WBE and local business contracting, technical training and capacity building programs for businesses, local hiring efforts, as well as STEM educational programming and scholarships for students. Under his leadership, the JFK Redevelopment Program set a NYS record with a historic $3.2 billion already awarded to MWBEs and more than $1 billion already awarded to local businesses across Queens, breaking a record previously set at the LGA Redevelopment Program, also under Hersh’s leadership.
Before joining the Port Authority, Hersh spent 4½ years working for the NY Governor’s Office. He is a native of Queens, NY. Hersh is also an attorney admitted to the bar in New York and New Jersey.
Moderators
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 member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. As a wife and mom of two little ones, 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 pursue their full potential.
Ravi Singh, Vice President of Growth & Development at PBS Engineers, exemplifies leadership and expertise in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. His proficiency in business development and strategic planning has been instrumental in fostering sustainable growth across various market sectors. With a robust network and strategic alliances, Ravi excels in connecting AEC professionals, thereby propelling innovation. He is also a mentor, guiding staff members towards their career goals, particularly in aviation.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Ravi’s commitment to community service is unwavering. As the Board Chair for the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce, he has been pivotal in integrating a DEIA committee and program, emphasizing the Chamber’s core values. His leadership focuses on empowering small businesses, enhancing partnerships with city agencies, refining internal operations, and developing effective branding strategies for sustained progress.
Ravi’s dedication extends to nurturing the future workforce through educational initiatives in aviation and transportation, collaborating with local and national entities to create opportunities for students and emerging professionals. At PBS Engineers, he champions a ‘community first’ philosophy, ensuring the company’s operations align with the ethos of community enrichment.
