AMAC ALC Fireside Chat: March 2024

The AMAC Airport Leadership Collective (ALC) presents the Fireside Chat continues to support women in navigating their careers and providing recommendations for elevating their careers to senior-level opportunities within the aviation industry. Come prepared to hear from our speakers and participate in an interactive Q&A!

MODERATOR

Karen Ellis
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Conference Planning Committee
Chief Customer Experience Officer, San Antonio Airport System

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, having served at the following airports: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Houston Airport System, and now SAAS.

Karen holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy University and a Bachelor of Science 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).

PANEL

Ms. Adams serves as Director of Culture & Community at Departure Media, Inc., a 100% ACDBE Prime Concessionaire who manages in-terminal airport advertising programs nationwide. Kerry holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Woman’s University and has over 15 years of experience providing direct support to C-level executives. Her focus is on building strong internal and external relationships and driving a strong company culture. Closely involved with all aspects of the business, she has earned a reputation as a company “go-to” who either has the answer or won’t rest until she finds it.

Ms. Dickerson currently serves as Associate Vice President with HNTB, providing strategic leadership for the firm’s National Aviation practice on PM/CM client engagements and program delivery efforts, specializing in Stakeholder Engagement, Program start-up and delivery, Diverse Recruitments, Local Outreach, MWBE Compliance and Stakeholder Communications. In her current capacity, she is providing leadership as a Sr. Program Manager on the $15B Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s JFKR Redevelopment Program.

Tamika started her career over 25 years ago in local/county government, managing Environmental and Community Development programs with an emphasis on environmental justice for underserved communities. However, I entered into the Aviation industry over twenty-plus years ago.

Tamika has worked on some of Aviation’s most notable and high-profile super-mega, infrastructure projects and capital programs with values extending upwards of $20 billion at LAX, JFK, ORD, Bush Intercontinental and Hartsfield Jackson. Serving as the owner’s representative in various stakeholder management, airline interface and program management roles, she continues to provide tremendous leadership and value from “cradle to grave” to a broad client base.

Throughout her career, Tamika has been involved in organizations focused on promoting inclusion and diversity in the aviation and transportation markets, including Women in Transportation (WTS); Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) as former Southwestern Regional Director; American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); Airports Council International (ACI); Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), as well as volunteering in faith and community-based organizations. Tamika continues her dedication to I&D not only through her organizational involvement but also in her current leadership role at HNTB, as she believes that aligning with small and minority businesses creates well-balanced strategic partnerships and endless growth opportunities. It is just “smart business”.
Ms. Dickerson hails from the panhandle of Florida; however currently resides in Houston, TX, with one son. She holds a Bachelors in Environmental Science and a Master’s in Public Administration.

Sheneice M. Hughes, M.A.P., USAP, is the Assistant Director of Administration & Customer Engagement at Dallas Airport System (Dallas Love Field, Dallas Executive Airport and Vertiport). Sheneice has been in the Aviation industry for approximately ten years. In her current position, she oversees Budget, Finance, Accounting, Customer Engagement, the Aviation Hiring Team, Parking, External Communications & Marketing, and Title VI. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Relations from Grambling State University and a Master’s of Applied Psychology in Industrial / Organizational Psychology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She has approximately 22 years of experience with the City of Dallas. She also holds IPMA-SCP certification from IPMA-HR and the new USAP certification from ACI-NA. She is also a member of AAAE and ACI-NA where she serves on several committees.

Darlene Wilson is a distinct representative of how Birmingham businesses operate given effective and efficient leadership of their organization. With more than 30 years in the corporate banking and the public accounting industry and more than 18 of those years as an entrepreneur in our city qualifies her as a leading entrepreneur in Metro Birmingham and other regions and states. She is the Founder and Managing Principal of Relay Accounting Management with 2 offices in Birmingham, AL and Denver, CO. Darlene is the Founder and Director of Classic Business Connect and Co-Founder of Young FINANCE. Relay Accounting Management (RAM Firm) provides outsourced accounting management services, fractional CFO and business consulting and training for for-profit and not-for-profit entities. At Classic Business Connect they are a consulting firm that sources options for certified businesses that qualify for contracts with corporate, government and federal entities through creating platforms for the businesses and industry contractors, procurement, and supplier diversity leaders to connect. Young FINANCE is the brainchild of her son, and they joined forces to develop a financial literacy program and educational platform that targets ages 15-25.