AMAC Legends & Leapers: February 2026
AMAC Legends & Leapers is a virtual conversation series featuring an aviation industry legend and leaper.
Legend
Atif Elkadi serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Ontario International Airport, where he oversees day-to-day operations, a major capital development program, revenue management, marketing, communications, and IT. With nearly 20 years of senior-level experience in the aviation industry, Atif has led efforts to drive passenger and revenue growth through innovative strategies.
Before becoming CEO, Atif served as Deputy CEO and Senior Director of Marketing at Ontario. His career includes key roles at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dubai International Airport, where he developed communication strategies, managed public relations, and led social media and customer service initiatives.
Atif holds a Master’s in Communication Management from the University of Southern California, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Leaper
Harry Barrett Jr. serves as Executive Director of Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), where he introduced the airport’s mission of “Moving You with Unforgettable Hospitality.” A seasoned aviation leader with more than 20 years of experience across civil and military aviation, Harry provides strategic vision and operational oversight for one of the nation’s fastest-growing small commercial airports. Under his leadership, PSP has achieved record-breaking growth, expanding its nonstop route network from 21 to 32 destinations and strengthening its role as a key regional economic driver.
Since assuming his role, Harry has led transformative capital investments, including a $34 million ticketing lobby expansion, a major taxiway rehabilitation project, and the ongoing $93 million baggage system optimization program. He also spearheaded a reimagined dining and retail concessions program emphasizing local brands and small business development. Most notably, Harry conceptualized PSP’s groundbreaking modernization plan, anticipating $2.8 billion in long-term facility improvements, and led the airport to become the first in the nation to execute a concourse naming rights agreement. His innovative use of technology and forward-thinking strategies has enhanced safety, efficiency, passenger experience, and revenue performance.
Harry’s career began as a military aviator flying E-3 AWACS and AC-130 aircraft, followed by senior roles in aviation management supporting the integration of unmanned aerial systems for the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies. His civilian experience spans general, commercial, and industrial aviation, with leadership roles at Bellingham International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and as Airport Director of Renton Municipal Airport.
A respected industry leader, Harry is an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE), chairs AAAE’s Inclusion in Aviation Committee, and actively supports the Transportation Research Board’s ACRP. He holds degrees from Embry-Riddle, Park University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management, and was named SWAAAE’s 2025 Executive of the Year.
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.
Ricky Dorell Smith, as the Airport General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—the world’s busiest and most efficient airport—Ricky Smith leads one of the most critical aviation and economic hubs globally. He is responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction, and operational oversight of an airport that serves more than 108 million passengers annually, facilitates over 2,700 daily aircraft operations, and generates more than $750 million in annual operating revenue, reinforcing ATL’s status as an economic powerhouse.
Mr. Ricky Smith most recently served as Executive Director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), where he was responsible for the management and operations of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Martin State Airport, and regional aviation activities throughout the State of Maryland.
Smith has over 30 years of aviation management experience, working in Baltimore and Cleveland. Since returning to BWI Marshall in 2015, Smith led the airport to five 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.
He established a culture of performance, customer service, safety, and innovation, leading the airports to receive 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 launched to provide minority-owned micro-businesses with 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, aimed at introducing Baltimore City youth to careers in aviation and transportation. To date, over 100 youths have participated in this program.
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).
