AMAC Legends & Leapers: October 2023
AMAC Legends & Leapers is a virtual conversation series featuring an aviation industry legend and leaper.
Legend
Holli Harrington is the Senior Director of Equity & Opportunity at the Indianapolis International Airport and leads the strategic efforts to ensure the airport fosters public value by providing equitable access to meaningful economic and workforce development opportunities. She administrates federal nondiscrimination compliance (Title VI) and business development (DBE/ACDBE) programs. As the airport’s first Equity Officer, she promotes equity and inclusion in airport operations, processes and systems to cultivate a culture where all employees, passengers, visitors and vendors are respected and feel welcome and included.
She is a recognized community and business leader in Indianapolis. Harrington represents the airport on the Indianapolis Government Alliance on Race and Equity and Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council Board and is a Gubernatorial appointee to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. Holli is passionate about promoting youth in STEM and developing DEI professionals and is currently the first female President of the Board of Directors of the Minority Engineering Program of Indianapolis (MEPI), an advisor for the Indiana Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (IN LSAMP) and spearheaded the development of the Indy Equity Collective, a local DEI professional network.
Holli earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University, one of the nation’s most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Before joining the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 2013, she worked for Eli Lilly and Company for 21 years and has over 30 years of experience. A native of Detroit, Michigan, she is active in her church, Olivet Missionary Baptist Church, sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and enjoys spending time with her family, husband Brian Harrington, and three children, Briana, Brailen and Bradley.
Leaper
Basil A. Binns, II is the Deputy Director for Administration and Business Development and Retention at the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD).
In his current role, Binns oversees MDAD’s Business Retention and Development divisions, which are responsible for commercial operations and real estate management for Miami International Airport and the County’s four general aviation airports. He is also responsible for the Department’s Administration divisions, which include Human Resources, Information Systems, Small Business Development, Contract Administration, and Commodities Management.
Prior to joining the Aviation Department, he served as the Assistant Port Director for Business Development and Administration at PortMiami from 2018 to 2022. In this role, he was responsible for developing the Port’s long-term contracts, commercial development program, and related financial strategies, client relations, and business administration.
Mr. Binns began his professional career as an executive team leader for a major retail corporation, where he was responsible for logistics and freight flow. He then served in various administrative and professional positions in the City of Miami government.
In 2011, Mr. Binns joined Miami-Dade County as the senior legislative and policy aide to the Vice Chairperson of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. He then served in the County’s Office of Management and Budget as a Senior Business Analyst and in the Office of the Mayor, where he assisted with the management and oversight of several County departments and was responsible for implementing County initiatives.
He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, and serves on the Board of Directors for the One Hundred Black Men of South Florida, Inc., and the Miami Bayside Foundation.
Moderators
Lauryn Mangum Reed
Secretary, AMAC Board of Directors
Chair, AMAC Emerging Leaders Committee
Executive Vice President, TMG Hospitality USA
Lauryn Mangum Reed’s industry experience started in 2012 when her family opened a café in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (The Refuge Coffee Food and Wine) as a subtenant of HMSHost. She played an integral role in the framework, opening, operations and staff training and became the Director of Sales and Marketing.
In 2017, Mangum Reed joined Stellar Partners as Business Development Coordinator and was later named Director of Innovation and Business Development. Lauryn supported the department in many facets, from coordinating RFPs to working closely with ACDBE partners, with a strong emphasis on innovation, technology and strategy.
Lauryn recently transitioned from retail concessions to the Vice President of Business Development for the global, omnichannel enterprise, self-service hospitality Servy (Grab) platform. Through the contactless order and pay solutions suite, Servy enables partners to drive operational efficiencies and enhance the guest experience while improving profitability. Lauryn is responsible for business development and strategic partnership activities for the Servy (Grab) Airport Marketplace with airport authorities, developers and restaurant and retail partners throughout the Americas.
Although considered an emerging leader, Lauryn’s industry involvement is vast. Mangum Reed serves as the Co-Chair for AMAC’s Emerging Leaders Committee, Secretary of the AMAC Board of Directors and Member of the ACI-NA Business Diversity Steering Committee.
Lauryn has an affinity for people, representation and diversity in her day-to-day life, the aviation industry is no exception. Lauryn graduated from Arizona State University and became a proud Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member. As a new mom and wife, Lauryn strongly advocates for work/life balance and empowering 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).
