In Loving Memory: Chermaina Roundtree | |
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It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the unexpected passing of our colleague and friend, Chermaina Roundtree, who passed away on April 30, 2024.
Chermaina served as AMAC's Programs and Corporate Development Director from 2018–2022. She was instrumental in the AMAC National Office and provided exemplary strategic leadership on AMAC's programmatic initiatives, corporate and strategic partners, and business development opportunities. She also held a deep passion for diversity, inclusion and community engagement. Before her role as AMAC's Programs and Corporate Development Director, she was an active member through MarketPlace PHL beginning in 2015.
Although Chermaina often humbly worked behind the scenes, her light always shined bright. She blessed many organizations, businesses, charities, and individuals. More often, behind the scenes in the background, she gave her time, talent, and treasure unselfishly, not to be seen, but because she genuinely loved people and wanted them to succeed.
If you want to support Chermaina's family during this difficult time, the AMAC National Office can connect you with Robin Gibson, who will help you navigate that process.
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Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey CEO & Founder Fawn Weaver to Keynote the 39th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference | |
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We are excited to announce that Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey CEO & Founder, will keynote the 39th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference! Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, a Black woman-owned and led company, is the fastest-growing whiskey brand in U.S. history, valued at more than $1.1 Billion. Uncle Nearest, the most awarded Bourbon and American Whiskey in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, recently acquired Square One Organic Spirits and expanded into Cognac with the historic purchase of Domaine Saint Martin, a highly esteemed 100+ acre vineyard in Cognac, France. Ms. Weaver was recently listed on Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women List.
Register to attend or stand out from the crowd by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor at the premier aviation industry event featuring 1,300+ airport/aviation pioneers, changemakers and rising professionals.
We thank our Elite Sponsors for immensely supporting the conference! You can view all sponsors here.
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BNA, BWI, JWA, MSY, PANYNJ, PHL—Airport Directors 20/20 Vision Forum | |
Our Airport Directors 20/20 Vision Forum lineup is now available! Attendees will hear from airport directors at BNA, BWI, JWA, MSY, PANYNJ and PHL airports about the future of airports and the aviation industry. View the full schedule to plan your 39th AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference participation. | |
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AMAC Catalyst Awards Nominations Open Until 6/21!
39th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference
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The nomination period for the AMAC Catalyst Awards is open through June 21, 2024! This event honors AMAC members who have contributed outstandingly to furthering AMAC’s goals and mission. Submit your nominations today. Recipients will be honored on August 6, 2024, at the AMAC Catalyst Awards Luncheon during the 39th AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference in Nashville, TN, hosted by Nashville International Airport. | |
Meet the Candidates: 2024 AMAC Board Elections | |
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Now that the AMAC Board of Directors Elections nomination period has concluded, we encourage AMAC members to get to know the 2024 AMAC Board Candidates! The electronic voting period will be July 1–26, 2024, and AMAC members will have the opportunity to ratify the Board of Directors during the AMAC Business Meeting on August 6, 2024, during the 39th AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference. This period is an opportunity to provide your input for AMAC leadership and help frame and support the organization’s future.
Chair
- Ricky D. Smith, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Second Vice-Chair
- Lance Lytle, Port of Seattle
Eastern Region Director
- Ebony Gaynor, Ever-Evolving Consulting
- Robin Gibson, Fraport USA
Southeast Regional Director
- Thiane Carter, Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Mori Russell, Concessions International
Southwest Regional Director
- Justina Mann, Blue Ink Group
- J. Goodwille Pierre, Goodwille Pierre LLC
Western Regional Director
- Michael Washington, Cato Hospitability Group/Palazzo Concessions
At-Large Directors
- M. Denise Bailey, Philadelphia International Airport
- Siobhan Higgins, Ten Thirty Media
- Tosin Kasali, HMSHost by Avolta
- Maria Martinez, SSP America
- Diego Rincon, Parsons
- Kimberly Sutton, Fortis Construction
- Tony Tyler, Tyler Communications Inc.
- Kenneth Weeden, Ken Weeden & Associates, Inc.
- Demetria Wideman, ReachTV
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Introducing the Airport Concessionaires Accelerator Program
Inaugural Class!
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On May 8, 2024, in partnership with the Morehouse Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center and Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), we launched a new concessions cohort for minority and underserved businesses at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. | |
AMAC Members: Post RFPS/Jobs to the AMAC Opportunity Center | |
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View these Opportunities and More in the AMAC Opportunity Center! | | | |
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NEW! AMAC Recordings Available:
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AMAC 360 – April ft. Erin Burns (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport), Liz Einhorn (Experience Threee) and Flo Scott (PNC Bank)
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AMAC 360 – May ft. Paul Brown (SSP America)
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AMAC Legends & Leapers – May ft. Mukesh “Mookie” Patel (San José Mineta International Airport) and Iva Chen (IOC Design & Consulting)
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Why AMAC? A Luncheon Hosted by the AMAC Chicago Chapter | |
The AMAC Chicago Chapter hosted a luncheon with an AMAC National leadership presentation, membership & committee appeal, Chicago Chapter outlook discussion and an ACDBE panel. Congratulations to the chapter's leadership for hosting a productive and successful event! The chapter was also an exhibitor at the Chicago Department of Aviation's Airport Expo and Job Fair, where small businesses and individuals learned about contracting and job openings at Chicago's airports. | |
AMAC Los Angeles Chapter President Martha Valenzuela Invited by Federal Highway Administration to Join Distinguished Cadre | |
AMAC Los Angeles Chapter President Martha Valenzuela was invited by the Federal Highway Administration to join a distinguished cadre focusing on rethinking DBE participation in Design-Build Projects. The cadre discussed new tools and innovative practices to increase DBE Program participation in design-build contracting. As states and other project sponsors increasingly utilize design-build for project delivery, ensuring equitable opportunities for small, disadvantaged firms has become challenging. | |
JFK Millennium Partners Selects Arora to Implement IBM Maximo Enterprise Asset Management Software® and Arora ATLAS® Mobile Solutions | |
JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), selected by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to build and operate the new $4.2 billion JFK Terminal 6 (T6), announced that Arora Engineers will implement IBM’s renowned Maximo Enterprise Asset Management Software® and the Arora ATLAS® suite of mobile products for T6, which is currently under construction in Queens, NY at JFK Airport. Arora is leading T6’s fire protection, plumbing, special systems and airfield/airside electrical engineering services, and supporting the team with master systems integration services for low voltage and IT systems. | |
Port Authority, Unibal-Rodamco-Westfield and American Airlines Start Construction for $125 Million JFK Terminal 8 Commercial Redevelopment |  | The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with American Airlines, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports and Holt Construction, started construction today for the transformation of the commercial redevelopment program at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 8 (JFK T8). A seasonal artist showcase within the terminal, “A Traveling Dream,” also debuted to celebrate the depth and vibrancy of the airport’s host community, Jamaica and greater Queens through local art. The $125 million commercial redevelopment program by JFK T8 Innovation Partners, a joint venture led by URW and equity partner Phoenix Infrastructure Group, a minority-owned business enterprise certified investment firm, will transform the customer experience at the terminal with a complete redesign and expansion of the concessions program, including new dining, retail, duty-free shopping, performance space and new digitally enabled experiences for customers of American and its partner airlines. | |
Recent Achievements and Promotions | |
David Cerione of AECOM Joins the AMAC Foundation Board of Directors | |
“We are excited to welcome David to the AMAC Foundation Board of Directors! We look forward to leveraging his extensive experience in driving results as we focus on long-term objectives and navigate short-term challenges to fulfill our vision of providing minorities and women students access to equitable and diverse opportunities in the aviation and aerospace industries,” said Sunshine White, Chair, AMAC Foundation Board of Directors; Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Delaware North. | |
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Five Federal Departments Join Justice Department in Reaffirming Shared Commitment to Uphold Civil Rights Laws and Advance Environmental Justice
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other federal agencies reaffirmed their commitment to upholding civil rights laws and advancing environmental justice in communities across the U.S.
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Senate Overwhelmingly Approves FAA Reauthorization Act
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act to reauthorize the FAA and the NTSB for five years.
READ MORE
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$6,000 Scholarship for Black Women in STEM
On average, Black women in STEM earn salaries that are 45% lower than their highest-paid peers. BestColleges is committed to breaking down barriers for students in underrepresented communities who desire careers in the most competitive fields. Application deadline: July 15, 2024.
APPLY HERE
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