AMAC Legends & Leapers: March 2024
AMAC Legends & Leapers is a virtual conversation series featuring an aviation industry legend and leaper.
Legend
Andrea is a Denver native and has worked in public service leadership for 24 years in a variety of roles that center on leading large organizations to reform policy, strengthen processes, and improve employee and customer experiences. She currently serves Denver International Airport (DEN) as Deputy Chief of Staff, leading a wide range of macro-level programs and projects related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, such as the Center of Excellence and Equity in Aviation (CEEA). Prior to her current role, she served as the DEN Senior Vice President of Culture and Strategy, where she led precedent-setting work with the commerce hub, strategic planning, continuous improvement, wellness, employee engagement, ADA/Title VI, workforce development, and equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts. Prior to DEN, Andrea was appointed by Mayor Michael B. Hancock as Chief of Staff for the Denver Sheriff Department, leading large-scale policy and operational reform efforts, and spent ten years with the Denver Department of Human Services in a variety of roles, including as a Deputy Executive Director leading local, state, and federal programs focused on marginalized communities and addressing generational poverty policy gaps and operational efficiency measures. Andrea has been recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a national Champion of Change, Denver Leader of the Year by the Denver Peak Academy, and numerous other recognitions for her commitment to serving our community. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado and is active in supporting community impact efforts including her current appointment to the Denver Racial Equity Council.
Leaper
Najla Haywood is a proud third-generation leader of FDY, Inc., a food service management company specializing in airport concessions headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Founded in 1982, FDY, Inc. has evolved from managing university dining programs to operating multiple restaurant brands in multiple airports.
Najla joined the company in 2020 and serves as Vice President and Director of Communications. Her responsibilities include promoting the company’s organizational profile through strategic communications and leading the company’s strategic growth through business development.
Najla is also the founder of The Floyd and Norma Young Foundation, named in honor of her grandparents and the founders of FDY, Inc. The Foundation provides scholarships and financial assistance to students interested in and/ or currently attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Prior to joining FDY, Inc., Najla had a lengthy career in communications and legislative affairs in Washington, DC. She served as Communications Director for the DC Office of Contracting and Procurement, where she managed communications and legislative affairs for the District of Columbia’s leading procurement agency. There, she guided small businesses in pursuit of District government contracts, worked closely with local legislators on policy issues, and managed the agency’s internal and external communications. She has also served as Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Department of Justice Office and Public Information Officer at the DC Office of Employment Services.
Najla holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Howard University, a master’s degree in International Communication from American University, and a certificate in Strategic Management from Georgetown University. She serves on AMAC’s Emerging Leaders Committee and AMAC’s Communications Committee. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc.
Moderators
Lauryn Mangum Reed
Secretary, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Emerging Leaders Committee
Executive Vice President, TMG Hospitality USA
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 Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member. As a wife and mom of 2 littles, 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 do everything they desire.
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).
