Officers
Ricky D. Smith
Chair, AMAC Board of Directors
CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Ricky Dorell 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.
Mr. Smith, a 34-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.
Ricky D. Smith
Ricky Dorell 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.
Mr. Smith, a 34-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 an 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 Summer Youth Initiative aimed at introducing youth in Baltimore City to careers in aviation and transportation. To date, over 100 youths have participated in this program.
Prior to 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. Prior to 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 is a graduate of 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, American Association of Airport Executives, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Board of Directors, the BWI Business Partnership, 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, Morgan State University School of Communications Board of Advisors and the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Board of Directors.
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).
Bridget Biagas
First Vice Chair, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice Chair, AMAC Finance Committee
Vice President, Business Development at Hudson by Avolta
Transformational Leader in Aviation & Business Development
Bridget Biagas is a visionary leader and seasoned business development expert, driving growth and innovation as Vice President of Business Development for Hudson by Avolta & Dufry by Avolta. With nearly 25 years of experience, she brings a unique blend of legal expertise, industry knowledge, and strategic acumen to forge powerful partnerships and shape the future of aviation retail.
Industry Trailblazer
Bridget's impressive career spans senior management roles at a major rental car provider and one of North America's largest airport parking management companies. She is a respected attorney, admitted to the Louisiana Bar, and a sought-after advisor in the aviation industry.
Dedicated Advocate for Diversity & Inclusion
Bridget is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is evident in her leadership roles with prominent industry organizations. She serves as First Vice Chair on the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Board and contributes to key committees, driving positive change and empowering underrepresented groups.
Committed Mentor & Community Leader
Beyond her professional achievements, Bridget is dedicated to empowering the next generation. She serves on the Board of StepUp (Southern Region) and volunteers as a mentor with Step Up|Dallas/Houston, inspiring young minds and fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Education & Achievements
Bridget holds a degree in Political Science from Dillard University and a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Southern University Law Center. Her commitment to excellence and community service has earned her a reputation as a transformational leader in the aviation industry.
Lance Lyttle
Second Vice Chair, AMAC Board of Directors
Managing Director, Aviation Division, Port of Seattle
Lance Lyttle is the Managing Director for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Before joining Port of Seattle, Lance was Chief Operating Officer for Houston’s three airports and Assistant General Manager at Hartsfield Jackson. A growth-oriented executive, he has led strategic development efforts of $5B at Houston airports and played a crucial role in Atlanta's $6B development. Currently, he leads a multibillion-dollar terminal revitalization program, including an international arrivals facility, renovating the north and south satellites, and upgrading the baggage handling system. In 2017, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Airports Council International. Lance also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Airport Executives and is the Chairperson of Federal Affairs for the American Association of Airport Executives. Lance holds a B.Sc. in Physics and Computer Science and an M.Sc. in Management Information Systems.
William (Bill) Swift
Treasurer, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Finance Committee
Owner & President, Business Traveler Services, Inc.
Mr. Swift is the Owner and President of Business Traveler Services, Inc. (BTS), a minority-owned business and entertainment center development company that was founded in 1994. For more than 20 years, BTS has operated at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offering such brands as Zoom Systems (vending machines offering Apple, Sony and other electronic and business products), FedEx and UPS drop boxes, TracPhone vending machines, prepaid phone card dispensers, Travelex and InMotion branded stores. BTS also has operated at LaGuardia International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and Augusta Regional Airport.
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.
Regional Directors
Indhira Figuereo Blaney
Northeast Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Senior Vice President, National Aviation Market Leader, WSP USA
Indhira Figuereo Blaney leads WSP’s US aviation practice. Indhira provides leadership for all practice and business development, working hand-in-hand with national, regional and global leadership. In this role, her focus is to deliver exceptional customer service to our aviation clients in the nation, managing the customer experience, maintaining quality control, and overall technical responsibility. Indhira is responsible for business plans, strategic plans, determining visibility and growing WSP Aviation practice in the nation.
With more than 20 years of experience. Indhira's technical and management experience includes design and program/construction management services for aviation, building facilities, site development, highway, marine, transit and structural projects. These projects include high-occupancy and high-utilization spaces, multi-agency and stakeholder coordination and Federal and State grant compliance. Indhira also has extensive experience in the planning, design and construction of international transportation projects in countries such as Mexico, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago.
Indhira holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Geology from The City College of New York. She is a member of the Airport Minority Advisory Council, American Association of Airport Executives, American Society of Civil Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, American Council of Engineering Companies, Women Transportation Seminar and Construction Management Association of America among others.
Robin Gibson
Eastern Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee
Director, Quality Assurance, Fraport USA, Inc.
Robin Gibson is Director of Quality Assurance for Fraport USA, Inc., a division of FraportAG, one of the world’s largest airport operators with revenues exceeding $3.5 billion. Widely recognized as the creator of modern American airport concession development, Fraport USA hired Ms. Gibson to oversee various aspects of retail and concession operations compliance throughout the U.S. after her exemplary 15-year career at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Tonja Pastorelle
Midwest/Great Lakes Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, Corporate Development Committee
President, Pastorelle Marketing Group
Tonja has spent her entire career in airport concessions. Her company, Pastorelle Marketing Group, has been in business for more than 10 years, focusing on business development consulting for concessions. She also has an extensive client list for which she and her team prepare requests for proposal responses in the retail, food and service sectors, using her wide range of experience in the industry to create winning proposals.
Early in her career, she spent years at O’Hare and Midway Airports in operations, marketing, specialty leasing, construction oversight and customer service. She also spent nearly five years working for a direct food operator in marketing and product development.
Pastorelle Marketing Group is a joint venture partner to InMotion Entertainment in Chicago’s O’Hare, Denver International and coming soon to Newark International Airports, and has signed deals for shops that will open in 2018 for Potbelly Sandwich Shops in Boston, and a Garrett Popcorn Shop in Chicago’s O’Hare. She is the Great Lakes Regional Director for the AMAC.
Shelia Hudson
Central Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Principal & CEO, Hudson and Associates
As Principal and CEO, Ms. Hudson provides leadership and oversight for the daily operations on behalf of Hudson and Associates, LLC (Hudson). Possessing more than twenty-five plus years of program and project management experience in the transportation and infrastructure arenas, Ms. Hudson has been laser-focused on building the company’s airport services practice.
Ms. Hudson gained her management acumen and expertise as an executive in transit management & operations; highway planning & environmental assessment; urban planning; and infrastructure in her career before exploring the entrepreneur spirit by stepping in as President & CEO of her father’s construction business, then starting her own company.
Ms. Hudson has successfully opened offices in Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville, and Charleston. She has led Hudson in building the company’s portfolio in parking management, operations support, food and beverage concessions, customer service, planning, and airport services. Ms. Hudson uses her complete understanding of best practices to balance industry services and adapt those tools to benefit the customer or patrons' experience.
A servant leader, she is a stalwart supporter and volunteer of various charities and civic and community organizations that focus on education, mentoring, and second chance programs that benefit citizens in all the markets where she does business.
A proud Tennessee State University alum, Ms. Hudson holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and Transportation Service Management. She was also a Fellow at the Rutgers University National Transportation Institute.
Thiane Carter
Southeast Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Director, Small Business Programs, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
Thiané Carter has served as the Administrator of Small Business Programs for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (Authority) since 2011. As the Director of Small Business Programs, she oversees the implementation and compliance of the Authority’s Minority and Women-Owned Small Business (MWSB) and Federal Disadvantaged and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE/ACDBE) Programs as well as its Title VI program. She also manages the Authority’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Before her work with the Authority, she spent more than a decade providing DBE program planning services to various transportation agencies as a consultant, including U.S. Department of Transportation recipients (i.e., airports, transit systems and state transportation departments).
Ms. Carter has served as the Chairperson of the AMAC Scholarship Committee and partnered with AMAC on various initiatives, including Project LIFT and the Airport Communities of Practice. She is the immediate past Airports Council International (ACI) Business Diversity Committee Chair. Additionally, the Authority was awarded the ACI Inclusion Award (Medium Hub) in 2015 partly due to the successful business inclusion initiatives implemented.
She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master of Public Administration, respectively.
J. Goodwille Pierre
Southwest Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Owner, Goodwille Pierre LLC
J. Goodwille Pierre, Esq. (“Goodwille”) is a lawyer and national expert in Diversity Equity and Inclusion Management and has over 25 years of experience in the Minority, Woman, Small and Disadvantage Business Enterprise (MWSDBE) consultation, disparity studies, labor and diversity compliance, diversity policy creation and program administration. Goodwille is a licensed patent and trademark attorney and founder of The Pierre Firm PLLC and fiileyourtrademark.com LLC. Goodwille is also the Founder of Goodwillle Pierre, LLC., a federal grant recipient DEI consulting, public engagement, and government program management firm.
Goodwille attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, from 1983-1986 and Georgia State University from 1987-1989, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with a Minor in Physics. He later received a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Central Florida and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in 2000. Goodwille Pierre is licensed in the Supreme Court of Texas, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The Federal Southern District of Texas and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Goodwille has also received Certified Compliance Administrator accreditation from the American Contract Compliance Association.
Goodwille is the former Vice President of the National Bar Association and a four-time past Chair of Houston’s Government Procurement Connections (GPC) Planning Committee. GPC is an annual conference that draws over 3,000 small business owners seeking government contracting opportunities and more than 500 representatives from various government entities. Goodwille is also the founder of Success in Business®,, powered by The Pierre Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization. Founded in 2014, the mission is to educate, equip and empower small, women, minority, and disadvantaged business owners with information about government procurement contract opportunities and resources and certification entities through facilitating events designed to increase relationship and capacity building.
Michael E. Washington, MBA
Western Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice Chair, AMAC Chapters Development Committee
CEO, CATO Hospitality Group
President & Co-Owner, Palazzo Concessions
Michael Washington has over 25 years of experience leading major hotels as a hospitality industry veteran. He co-founded Palazzo Concessions, a food and beverage and news and gifts concession service firm, in 2009. The company manages joint venture agreements with several national prime concession entities, including The Hudson Group, HMS Host International, Norm Nixon, and Magic Johnson Enterprises. Palazzo Concessions' ownership interest is located in Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood Burbank Airport, and San Francisco International Airport. The portfolio includes Bulgari, Victoria's Secret, Hugo Boss, Tumi, Michael Kors, Starbucks, Coach, Fred Segal, Harley Davidson, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Panda Express. In addition, Palazzo Concessions partner with Servy and AtYourGate to provide passengers at SFO with the ability to order F&B and retail from their phones for pick up or delivery.
Jeannie Killebrew
Northwest Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
President, Killebrew | Killebrew, Inc
Jeannie is President and 100% owner of Killebrew | Killebrew, Inc (KKI), which is a certified MWBE | SBE | DBE | EBE - Fire Protection Engineering firm. Jeannie is a fire protection professional with 15 years of experience in program management, project delivery and leadership. Jeannie leads the delivery of fire protection engineering services on projects of all scales and complexity. She previously served as the fire protection program manager for designing and constructing the Concourse B-East and C-East gate expansions of the $2.3bn Concourse Expansion Program at Denver International Airport. Her broad range of expertise and knowledge has led her to serve as a trusted advisor to clients requiring complex fire protection design leadership to ensure their vision and goals are exceeded.
At-Large Directors
Denise Bailey
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice President, Business Diversity & Accessibility, Philadelphia International Airport
With more than 30 years of experience focusing on government compliance in grants management, civil rights, construction management and training, Denise Bailey is currently driving diversity and accessibility at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). As the Deputy Director of Aviation for Business Diversity and Accessibility, she works with a skilled and engaged team to maintain compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration’s business diversity and accessibility requirements and continue the PHL’s excellent track record as a regional economic engine.
Marlene Coleman
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Director, Strategic Alliances, Areas USA
Marlene Coleman is the Director of Strategic Alliances for Areas USA. Marlene is responsible for building strong partnerships with the industry’s Airport Concessions Disadvantage Enterprise community, professional organizations, City Governments and Airport Commissions.
Ms. Coleman is an accredited airport executive with over 20 years of extensive city government and aviation concessions management experience. In 2022, she was awarded the National Association of Minority Contractors Pacesetter Award and the Airport Experience News Property Manager of the Year. She is a passionate advocate for small, minority and female-owned businesses.
Before joining Areas USA, Marlene was the director of Concessions Management at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In her role, she directed the overall Concessions and Car Rental operations, including developing strategic and space utilization plans, lease administration, and service delivery.
She joined the Department of Aviation’s Concessions team in 1998 and rose to serve as concessions business development manager in 2007. In 2011, she was promoted to director for the City of Atlanta’s Watershed Department, where she was responsible for developing the strategic plan for the department’s small, minority, female business program and overseeing the Small Business Development 15-week construction management training program.
Ms. Coleman holds a Bachelor of Arts in business management and economics from North Carolina State University. She is a member of the Women in Construction, Engineering Related Services Conference (WICERS) Executive Planning Committee, American Association of Airport Executives, Airport Minority Advisory Council, and the Atlanta Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Karen Ellis
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Event Planning Committee
Airport Assistant General Manager - Chief Customer Experience Officer, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airports
Karen W. Ellis serves as the Chief Customer Experience Officer for the San Antonio International Airport System (SAAS), which comprises the San Antonio International Airport and Stinson Municipal Airport. Karen has over 20 years of leadership and customer service experience in the aviation industry by serving with the following airports: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Houston Airport System and now SAAS.
Karen holds a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources Management from Troy University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Jacksonville State University. In conjunction with her educational background, Karen is a Certified Customer Care Manager by the Customer Service Institute and a certified Customer Service Manager by the Customer Service Institute of America. She is also a Certified Customer Experience Specialist by Airport Council International (ACI). Through Toastmasters International, Karen has achieved the status of Competent Toastmaster, Advanced Toastmaster Bronze and Competent Leader with Toastmasters International and served as President of the International Customer Service Association Georgia Chapter. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Customer Experience Working Group for ACI and is the past Chair of the Training Committee for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
Nikki T. Harland
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Chief Operating Officer, Paradies Lagardère
As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Paradies Lagardere, Nikki oversees over $1B in sales that contribute to the organization’s continued success and standing in the Travel Retail industry. She is responsible for Retail Operations, Dining, Merchandising, Business Systems and Transformation and Human Resources. Nikki is also a founding member of the organization’s Diversity & Inclusion Council.
With over twenty-five years of business and specific HR experience, Harland has contributed to various change initiatives in her career that have propelled turnarounds and growth efforts within organizations. Her work experience includes responsibility in the dining, retail, entertainment, and professional sports industries. Prior to her role with Paradies Lagardère, Nikki was the Senior Director of Field Human Resources for Gap, Inc.’s Old Navy Stores. In this role, she provided people leadership for the Brand’s 1,000+ stores and 45,000 employees in North America. Additional leadership experiences included Turner Broadcasting System, Inc and Toys “R” Us.
Tosin Kasali
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Membership Committee
Vice President, Business Development, HMSHost by Avolta
Tosin Kasali is Vice President, Business Development, where he is responsible for developing and managing strategic client and partner relationships that lead to value-creating opportunities for the airport, and the company, primarily through structuring, winning and retaining the airport concessions contracts. Tosin joined HMSHost in 2016 as Director of Business Development Finance. He was primarily responsible for financial modeling and business case presentations—evaluating and communicating to the Executive Team the financial risk and return of new business opportunities. Before joining HMSHost, Tosin was Senior Manager of Business Development at Gategroup (Gate Gourmet), primarily responsible for deal evaluation, financial modeling, business case presentations and lead development.
Justina Mann
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Chapters Development Committee
President & Managing Principal, Blue Ink Group
Ms. Justina Mann is an Aviation Program Management and Procurement Executive with 14 years of experience in multiple airports, serving in roles from Chief Procurement Officer to Director of Infrastructure Program Management and Delivery.
Previously, Ms. Justina Mann was the Director of INF Terminal Development for the Houston Airport System (HAS). In this role, Ms. Mann was responsible for the successful definition, procurement, negotiation, execution and implementation of the HAS Domestic Terminal Development Program and other significant programs undertaken by HAS airlines and partners. She served as the HAS owner’s representative for Airline Terminal Development Programs, acting as an executive liaison between the airline program management teams and HAS.
Ms. Mann began her career in aviation at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a procurement professional. She was allowed to join the HAS as the Chief Procurement Officer. Ms. Mann enjoys aligning her project management and procurement experience with current aviation programs and opportunities impacting passengers, contractors and businesses around airports and transportation.
Ms. Mann serves as Vice President for the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA), where she Chairs the Fund Development Committee, is a member of the Finance, Budget and Investments Committee, and is a long-standing Conference Planning and Evaluation Committee member.
A native of St. Paul, MN, Ms. Mann received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. She earned her Master of Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. She is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives, a Certified Public Procurement Officer, a Certified Professional Contracts Manager, a Project Management Professional and a Six Sigma Green Belt.
Ms. Mann is the Southwest Region Director for the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), where she Chairs the Chapter Development Committee, serves on the Strategic Planning Committee and is a member of the Membership Committee.
Gonzalo de la Melena Jr.
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee
Founder & CEO, Emerging Airport Ventures
Gonzalo A. de la Melena, Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Emerging Airport Ventures, LLC. Emerging Domestic Market Ventures, LLC is a small business investment company that owns and operates Sir Veza’s Taco Garage in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Gonzalo has more than 15 years of experience in global brand management, business development, mergers & acquisitions and Latino marketing gained from working with consumer, retail, and restaurant companies. Before joining The Dial Corporation, he began his career with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, where he held various positions in brand management, international development and general management in the United States, Mexico, South and Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean.
In an advisory role, Gonzalo has served on various boards and committees, including JPMorgan/ Chase Bank of Arizona, Fiesta Bowl, Thunderbird, the School of Global Management, Valley of the Sun United Way, Arizona State University Downtown, Phoenix Community College and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs.
Gonzalo is a recipient of the 40 under 40, recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal, and is a graduate of Valley Leadership. He received his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University.
Dwight Pullen Jr.
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Aviation Professional Development Committee
Senior Vice President, Global Aviation Americas Leader, AECOM
Dwight H. Pullen, Jr. is Senior Vice President, Global Aviation, at AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, where he focuses on strategic growth, profitability, operational excellence, growing talent and maximizing customer engagement in the airport market.
Pullen was previously the National Core Market Leader for DPR Construction, focusing on Customer Experience, Account Management, and the Aviation Market. Before that, he was at Skanska USA Building, leading the Aviation Center of Excellence. At CH2MHill (now Jacobs), he was the Vice President and Global Director of Aviation, responsible for driving global strategy, growth and profitability. He also served as a Vice President and Principal Program Manager for Parsons Corporation.
Pullen currently serves as the Board Chairperson for the Airports Consultants Council (ACC) and is on the Trade Board for the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC).
Pullen received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and is also an alum of the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has a passion and volunteers for Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) initiatives, ensuring that inner-city communities are exposed to the STEM fields.
Michael Svagdis
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
CEO, SSP America
With 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry and with SSP America since 2014 as Chief Executive Officer, Michael Svagdis leads a talented team driven by an unparalleled passion for bringing cool, authentic restaurants to airports that reflect a taste of place. Michael’s tenure is marked by his ability to assemble a world-class executive team who have collectively driven dramatic corporate growth of 300% in annual revenues since Michael joined SSP America. The team simultaneously developed a unique corporate culture based on highly embraced principles. Called the PASSION Principles, the Principles were imparted to each manager and employee during a continent-wide effort to unite the company around one set of ideals. The result has been a dramatic decrease in employee turnover and increased employee satisfaction.
Simeon Terry
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice President, Diversity Affairs, Austin Commercial
Simeon is the Vice President of Diversity Affairs for Austin Commercial and has been in the construction industry for 28 years and managed diversity programs for 20 years. In his current role as Vice President, Mr. Terry oversees the companies Diversity and Inclusion program both internally and externally. This includes overseeing the cultural competency education, diversity compliance, affirmative action, recruiting/hiring, mentoring and business procurement diversity. In addition, developing and implementing strategic strategies that will maximize inclusion in the workforce diversity work space as well as in the supplier diversity work space. The role of diversity affairs is to ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion are considered at the highest levels of all decisions within the company and established as a core organizational value. Previously, Mr. Terry has held the positions of Director of Diversity and Diversity Program Manager for Austin Commercial over his 18 years with the company.
Mr. Terry works hand in hand with many different departments within Austin including; accounting, legal, risk management, marketing & business development, operations and human resources. Prior to his career in construction Simeon worked as a manufacturing engineering for McDonnell Douglas in ST. Louis, MO building F-18 Hornet Airplanes for the Navy and as a Loss Control Regional Manager for Liberty Mutual.
Mr. Terry holds a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University and an MBA in Finance. He also holds a Master Compliance Administrator Certification (MCA) from Morgan State University.
Kenneth Weeden
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee
President & Principal, Ken Weeden & Associates, Inc.
For 33 years, Ken Weeden has been a nationally recognized expert in all aspects of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE/ACDBE) Program under 49 CFR, parts 26 and 23. He has been working with the USDOT/FTA/FAA/FHWA Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs since 1980, when he started as an Airport Planner with an Engineering firm in Wilmington, NC. He founded Ken Weeden & Associates (KWA) in 1989 and has since led in the preparation of thousands of program documents for projects in 36 states and three (3) U.S. territories. The firm serves as a consultant to several large Concessionaire companies. Mr. Weeden is also the founder and lead trainer of the National DBE Training Institute. (www.natdbe-ti.com), which provides expert hands-on training to numerous compliance professionals around the U.S. KWA maintains offices in Raleigh, NC, Atlanta, GA, and Wilmington, NC. The firm has helped develop DBE/ACDBE program updates for airports of all sizes, including Atlanta's primary airport, Wash. DC; Memphis; Jacksonville; Tampa; Tallahassee; Savannah GA; Charleston SC; Myrtle Beach SC; Greenville-Spartanburg SC; Norfolk VA; and Greensboro NC. He has been an AMAC member since 1987.
Ken has a B.A in Journalism and Sociology from the University of Mississippi (1973), and M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1975). A native of Tunica, MS, he works out of the firm's Raleigh NC office.
Past Chair (Ex-officio)
Farad Ali
Past Chair, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Government Affairs Committee
President & CEO, Asociar
Farad Ali is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Asociar, LLC, a technology solutions company with offices in Texas, the Mid-Atlantic Region and Research Triangle Park, N.C. Asociar has collaborated with business partners to provide IT services and products as a value-added market reseller, supply chain partner, and provider of merchant services to drive more commerce.
Previously, Ali worked for the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) as Vice President. NMSDC matches its thousands of certified minority-owned businesses to a network of more than 1,200 corporate members who diversify their supply chains by purchasing products, services and solutions. NMSDC, a unique and specialized player in the field of minority business enterprise, has an unwavering commitment to advancing Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American suppliers in a globalized corporate supply chain.
Before the work at the NMSDC, Ali was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development. During his 20 tenure, the organization secured over a billion dollars in financing and contracts for minority businesses. Under his leadership, the organization secured partnerships with the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, the U.S. Department of Transportation Small Business Transportation Resource Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration Women Business Center and The Corporation for National and Community Service.
AMAC Board of Directors as of August 3, 2024