AMAC Legends & Leapers: July 2023
AMAC Legends & Leapers is a virtual conversation series featuring an aviation industry legend and leaper.
Legend
Davita Taylor
Vice President, Procurement and Business Diversity Development, Nashville International Airport.
Davita Taylor is the Vice President of Procurement and Business Diversity Development at Nashville International Airport. In her current role, Davita oversees department personnel, procures supplies and required materials for operations at Nashville International Airport and the general aviation airport, John C. Tune Airport, as well as the local and federal supplier diversity initiatives and programs. Davita is a proven leader in the aviation industry. Under her leadership, BNA was awarded the Medium Hub Inclusion Champion Award for the airport’s prioritization of small, minority, and women-owned business enterprises, with over $217 million in contracts awarded.
Davita is a certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), a certified Master Compliance Administrator, a Certified Public Procurement Officer and a member of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and past president of the Middle Tennessee Public Purchasing Association. Her community involvement includes, but not limited to: The Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County, Nashville Minority Business Center, Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, TN Latin American Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army (Women’s Auxiliary) and Nashville Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Davita was recognized as one of Nashville’s Women of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal.
Davita is a Tennessee native. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and Austin Peay State University.
Leaper
Amber Meshack
Director, Business, Jobs & Social Responsibility Division, Los Angeles World Airports
Amber Meshack is the Director of the Business, Jobs, & Social Responsibility (BJSR) Division at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). LAWA is the City of Los Angeles public agency that owns and operates Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a top-five busiest airport in the world, and Van Nuys General Aviation Airport (VNY).
As Director of the BJSR Division, Ms. Meshack is responsible for workforce and business opportunity programs including supporting the delivery of inclusivity commitments for the $30B LAWA capital program, overseeing LAWA’S First Source Hiring Program, managing the small contractor development and bonding assistance program, and developing policy and strategic partnerships for business and workforce development.
Under her leadership, BJSR established LAWA’s first small contractor training program, the BuildLAX Academy; launched the Contract Finance Assistance Program to support access to financing for small construction contractors; established the first team dedicated to overseeing business and workforce commitments on capital projects; led the development of LAWA’s policy to require Inclusivity commitments as a competitively scored category in all major procurements; and directed the first study at LAWA to examine gaps in contracting equity correlated to race and gender.
Moderators
Victor Harris, SE
Business Development Manager, CMTS LLC
Born in Colorado, Victor Harris’s journey into the aviation world began in his teens working in retail stores at Denver International Airport (DEN). He graduated with a degree in Architecture from the Howard University College of Architecture and Computer Science. Then he worked in commercial office space, retail, hospitality (hotels and resorts), residential, medical and higher education. Wanting to return to the aviation industry, Victor joined his family’s business, CMTS LLC, and worked as a Project Manager for tenant build-outs at DEN. In addition to project management, he spent eight years in sales, management, and training, gaining valuable experience that he has been able to use in his current role as Southeast Regional Business Development Manager. A student of growth and leadership, Victor has also been responsible for hiring, training and developing sales teams in multiple capacities. This love of equipping individuals and businesses with the tools for success is mirrored in the CMTS vision: “Improving lives and communities, one infrastructure project at a time” for its clients and employees.
Ricky D. Smith
Chair, AMAC Board of Directors
CEO, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
RICKY DORELL SMITH was appointed Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) on July 10, 2015. Mr. 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.
photo of Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Ricky Smith
Mr. Smith, a 32-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 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 Youth Initiative to introduce Baltimore City youth to aviation and transportation careers. To date, over 100 youths have participated in this program.
Before 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. Before 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 graduated from 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, the American Association of Airport Executives, the Washington Board of Trade, the BWI Business Partnership, the 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, and the Morgan State University School of Communications Board of Advisors.
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).
