Court Grants Intervention to Minority and Women-Owned Business Groups Defending Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
AMAC continues its role as part of a coalition vigorously defending the constitutionality of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE), ensuring its continued role in advancing economic opportunity and fairness in federally funded contracting. As of May 21, 2025, in a critical win for equity in public contracting, the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky granted a coalition of minority—and women-owned businesses and trade organizations the right to intervene to defend the … Read More
Recap: 2025 AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum
We recently hosted the AMAC Economic Opportunity & Policy Forum from March 26–28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Thank you to our members, sponsors and partners for making this event successful! Day 1: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 AMAC members gathered at the forum’s host hotel for an energizing Capitol Hill prep session led by Nigel Stephens, Principal of Phoenix Strategies, alongside AMAC Government Affairs Chairs Farad Ali, Executive Chairman of Asociar, and Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Founder and CEO of … Read More
Coalition Seeks to Defend Lifeline for Transportation Businesses Owned by Women and People of Color
AMAC, as part of a coalition, moves to intervene in the Mid-America Milling Company v. the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) case to vigorously defend the constitutionality of the DBE program, ensuring its continued role in advancing economic opportunity and fairness in federally funded contracting. Press Release: https://democracyforward.org/updates/coalition-seeks-to-defend-lifeline-for-transportation-businesses-owned-by-women-and-people-of-color
Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Condemns Trump Administration Executive Orders Dismantling DEI Programs and Opposes Rollback of Equity Efforts
Washington, DC (January 22, 2025) — The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) strongly condemns the recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump: “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” and “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” These actions represent a significant step backward in the fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across federal agencies, contractors, and the private sector. These executive orders mandate the elimination of DEI programs, the closure of equity-focused offices, and the … Read More
AMAC Forward: Preparing for Incoming Administration Changes
The stakes are higher than ever before. AMAC’s existence is more critical as we relentlessly pursue our mission of advancing the full participation of minorities and women in employment and contracting opportunities throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. With the 2024 Presidential Election results, we anticipate the landscape of aviation and aerospace to continue to evolve, and we are more committed to ensuring that individuals and companies from diverse backgrounds have equal access to opportunities for advancement, growth, and success. As a … Read More
Recap: Inaugural She SOARS — Women in Aviation Summit
Thank you for participating in and supporting the inaugural She SOARS—Women in Aviation Summit. Nearly 50 speakers and over 300 attendees in the aviation industry, including mid- and upper-management professionals, HR leaders, airport governing authorities, government officials and industry association leaders, convened to focus on women’s multifaceted advantages in the workplace, career growth, professional development, and well-being of the mind and soul. You can access the event photos and program guide. The summit was a resounding success. It brought together … Read More
Senator Warnock Addresses AMAC Members During Historic Induction of Atlanta Board
“We’re great because of our diversity.” ATLANTA, GA – In a historic and powerful ceremony, the City of Atlanta witnessed a defining moment in its aviation history. The induction of the founding board of the Atlanta Chapter of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) was marked by grandeur and purpose, underscored by the commitment to uphold the legacy of former Atlanta mayor, Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. The event was made even more significant by the presence of a U.S. Senator … Read More
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 … Read More
2024 AMAC Board of Directors Elections Winners
WASHINGTON, DC (August 13, 2024) —The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is pleased to announce the 2024 AMAC Board of Directors Election results. Chair: Ricky Smith, CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Second Vice Chair: Lance Lyttle, Managing Director, Aviation Division, Port of Seattle Eastern Regional Director: Robin Gibson, Director, Quality Assurance, Fraport USA, Inc. Southeast Regional Director: Thiane Carter, Director, Small Business Programs, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Southwest Regional Director: J. Goodwille Pierre, Owner, Goodwille Pierre LLC Western Regional Director: … Read More