AMAC Legends & Leapers: June 2023
AMAC Legends & Leapers is a virtual conversation series featuring an aviation industry legend and leaper.
Legend
John D. Clark, III
Senior Vice President, Business Development, Airports and Airlines, SSP America
John Clark is a highly accomplished senior airport executive with extensive, firsthand knowledge of airport operations across North America, having served as director and CEO of three U.S. airports. In his role as senior vice president of business development, airports, and airlines, John serves as the key executive interface between American and Canadian airlines and SSP America. He will be a liaison with airport executives and various industry associations.
John previously served as president and manager of JClark Consulting Group, LLC, where he designed and implemented a $100 million public-private partnership (P3) program for management and workforce development at Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority. Before JClark Consulting, John served as executive director and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, where he was responsible for the overall management and strategic development of six airports within the Indianapolis region. During his tenure, he developed the IND Aerotropolis Master Plan establishing the Authority’s best, most revenue-generating use of land on and off the airport. John also served as executive director and CEO of Jacksonville Aviation Authority and airport director and CEO for the City of Detroit.
John is a highly accredited airport executive, having served on the board of directors for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); as chair of Airports Council International North America (ACI-NA) as well as on the Council’s Board of Directors, the executive committee of Airports Council International’s (ACI) World Governing Board and the Chair of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC).
John holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Public Administration from Golden Gate University. In 2011 he was named “Airport CEO of the Year” by Airport Revenue News (ARN) magazine.
Leaper
Lauren Miller
Director, Business Development, Miller3 Consulting
Lauren Miller, a graduate of Howard University, is an Entrepreneur and Business Owner. She is the Director of Business Development at Miller3 Consulting, a second-generation management consulting firm founded by her father in 1986. Her firm works with public and private sector clients on opportunity creation and inclusive policy initiatives within procurement, agriculture, healthcare and entertainment.
Before inheriting and taking on a role in the family business, Lauren previously built and successfully executed a niche lifestyle and travel brand and platform–CANT STAY PUT. A pioneer in the rise of the Black Millennial travel movement, Miller channeled her unique experience of frequently flying by herself since she was five years old to become a powerful voice within the travel industry that would influence thousands across the globe through storytelling, public speaking, and consulting with companies and brands to develop and execute international offerings. Her path helped to forge a new career path for Black millennials interested in the travel industry.
A daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurs and farmers, family business and the business of the family are woven into the fabric of Lauren’s DNA. But not until Lauren’s father became terminally ill and she began the succession planning process did this reveal itself in a way that ultimately changed her forever. Taking on the role of her father’s caregiver came with the task of securing his legacy and preparing her and her siblings for his departure. She became a student of her father, learning his business and his life, but most importantly, understanding her lineage—a 150-year legacy of entrepreneurship rooted in agriculture. Through her and her father’s succession planning process, Lauren understood the legacy, how to build it, secure it and how each generation has a responsibility to foster opportunity and freedom for the next. She is now on a mission to help the Black millennials and Black families understand how to build, secure, and pass on their legacy and the mindset required to do it.
Moderators
Mori Russell
Southeast Regional Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Vice Chair, AMAC Emerging Leaders Committee
Business Development Director, Concessions International
Mori Russell is an entrepreneur and leads Business Development at Concession International, an airport food and beverage company. Mori is a third-generation leader of her family business, Concessions International, which her grandfather started 40+ years ago. She owns Olle Fit, a wellness company focused on mind, body, & spirit. Mori also owns a consulting firm, MCR Services LLC, where she provides development and community outreach work.
Mori graduated in 2015 with a Master of International Business from Florida International University. While in school, she founded and operated her first company, an accessory boutique, O’Amor, in Miami, Florida and online.
Aside from her daily business-oriented goals and operations, she leads Concessions International’s Corporate Social Responsibility Arm, CI Cares, serves as the Southeast Regional Director for the Airport Minority Advisory Council, and serves on the YMCA Metro Atlanta Ambassador Board. Mori shares her late grandfather, Herman Jerome Russell’s, passion for entrepreneurship and supporting impactful causes to communities.
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).
