James Bennett Presented the 2007 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence

For Immediate Release
November 28, 2007, NR-07-04
Contact: Cari Tate

Alexandria, VA – The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) presented James “Jim” E. Bennett, president and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the prestigious 2007 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence at a luncheon on November 13, 2007 during the ACC Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of this award is to recognize the contributions of an individual or group to the airport and aviation industry that are visionary and innovative, have advanced the airport and aviation industry, and have served the public in the process.  The lifetime achievements of the recipients are also considered.

"Jim is a most deserving recipient of this award," says ACC President Paula Hochstetler. "He was selected based on his exceptional entrepreneurialism, dynamic vision and leadership within the aviation industry and in the context of global commerce." 

Bennett was chosen among a strong field of nominees for pioneering a new generation of airport directors who, in addition to managing, operating, planning and developing major U.S. airports, are assuming responsibility for multi-modal access to and from their facilities. He was also selected for his success in securing the recently awarded U.S.-China route for Dulles International Airport and for his other numerous contributions to airports and to the aviation industry.

As President/CEO of MWAA since 2003, Bennett leads the Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which served 41.5 million passengers in 2006. Bennett is also responsible for the Washington Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport. The Metrorail is planned to be 23 miles, mostly on airport property. Projects similar to this are typically handled by rail authorities, but the MWAA arrangement insures a single point of contact for all transportation modes affecting air travelers in the Washington area.

Prior to becoming President/CEO, Bennett served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the MWAA from 1996-2003. In that capacity he directed the operations of the MWAA, including the administrative support functions, and was responsible for airport management at both National and Dulles airports as well as Authority-wide public safety, business administration, human resources and technology. Before MWAA, Bennett served as Assistant Aviation Director at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. He has also served as the Director of the Shreveport, Louisiana Airport Authority; the Director of Aeronautics for the City of Flint, Michigan; and the Manager of Technical Services for Airport Operators Council International (now ACI-NA).

The 2007 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence Committee Chair and Vice Chair are Kenneth Kenvin with Chiang, Patel & Yerby, Inc. and Jack Norton with Lea+Elliott, Inc., respectively.

The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) is the international trade association that represents the unique interests of consultant firms and related businesses that provide airport development and operations expertise. Founded in 1978, ACC Headquarters is located in the Washington, D.C. area.

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