ACC News

January 22, 2013, NR 13-01

ACC President Paula Hochstetler Announces December 2013 Retirement; T.J. Schulz Named Successor

Paula Hochstetler announced today that she will retire as president of the Airport Consultants Council (ACC) on December 31, 2013. The ACC board of directors has unanimously selected ACC Executive Vice President T.J. Schulz to succeed her as president. At the time of her departure, Hochstetler will have led ACC for more than 19 years. Prior to becoming ACC president she was a member of the ACC board of directors and served as its chair in 1992.

”It has been a pleasure serving the needs of the ACC members over the past 20 years,” Hochstetler said. ”My decision to retire at the end of this year was made over time and is linked to my strong belief in the importance of timely succession planning. Because I am confident that the Council will flourish under the outstanding leadership of T.J. Schulz, I look forward to pursuing new professional and personal interests in 2014.”

“Paula’s contributions to ACC members and airport institutional organizations have been significant. Her legacy will continue to have a profound and positive effect on airport business long after her departure,” said 2013 ACC Board of Directors Chair Andy Platz, president of Mead & Hunt, Inc. “She has listened attentively to the changing business climate of the ACC members and consistently responded with innovative and energetic solutions. We know that her enthusiasm and dedication will continue to sustain her in future endeavors.”

During Hochstetler’s tenure, the ACC and its membership became recognized as the technical experts by the FAA, TSA, ICAO, IATA and the greater airport industry. Many outstanding ACC services, training programs, webinars, conferences, and awards were established under her leadership, including the ACC Institute, Global Business Summit, Security Capabilities Day, and Security Manufacturers Coalition. The expanded ACC awards program draws attention to noteworthy industry colleagues via the Agency Best Practices Award, Aviation Award of Excellence, and the Excellence in Procurement Award. The ACC’s annual Summer Workshop Series, ACC/AAAE Symposium, Annual Conference & Exposition continue to provide unique and invaluable networking opportunities. These dynamic programs, as well as the positions ACC has taken on critical procurement, legislative and regulatory issues, have enhanced the business and technical skills of thousands of professionals across the airport community.

Additional information concerning T.J. Schulz and the 2014 ACC staff will be announced when Schulz assumes leadership of the organization in January 2014.

August 9, 2012, NR-12-04

ACI World Director Angela Gittens Named 2012 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence Recipient

The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) is pleased to announce the selection of ACI World Director General Angela Gittens as recipient of the 2012 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence. The award will be presented on November 6, 2012 during the ACC Annual Conference & Exposition awards luncheon in Bonita Springs, Florida. The Aviation Award of Excellence is presented annually to honor the extraordinary contributions of an individual, group or organization to the airport and aviation industry that is visionary and innovative, has advanced the industry and has served the general public good. The lifetime achievements of the recipients are also considered.

Ms. Gittens was selected as the recipient of this award because of the extraordinary breadth of her contributions to the aviation industry, her ability to be a strong advocate on behalf of many aviation stakeholders and her leadership on local, federal and global levels.

“Angela is a truly unique individual,” said ACC President Paula Hochstetler. “Her experience in airport management, as an aviation consultant and now as leader of one of the highest-profile global associations, has demonstrated her ability to make a profound difference. Her in-depth knowledge of airport policy and management, her creative thinking, and her competency, coupled with her approachable manner has enabled her to be extremely successful and to be held in high esteem by virtually everyone she’s dealt with.”

Prior to joining ACI World in 2008, Gittens held top executive positions at the three of the largest U.S. airport systems. During her tenure as Aviation Director at Miami International Airport (MIA), the airport was reinvigorated by a multi-billion dollar capital improvement plan and garnered attention as the first US airport to achieve ISO 14001 certification for its environmental efforts; as General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport (ATL), it became the busiest airport in the world and served as host airport for the 1996 Olympic Games; and as Deputy Director of the San Francisco Airport Commission, she worked closely with industry partners to find innovative ways to enhance financial returns. She also worked in the private sector as Vice President at TBI Airport Management where she oversaw the transition to private ownership of London Luton Airport and as Vice President of Airport Business Services for ACC member firm HNTB.

Gittens has also served on a number of industry boards and committees, including the FAA's Management Advisory Committee, the National Academy of Science Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee and TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program Oversight Committee; and JetBlue Airways’ Board of Directors.

July 24, 2012, NR-12-03

FAA's Joan Seward Named Recipient of the 2012 ACC Agency Best Practices Award

The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) is pleased to announce the selection of Joan Seward with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the recipient of the 2012 ACC Agency Best Practices Award. The award was presented during the ACC Summer Workshop Series Awards Luncheon on July 18, 2012.

Seward is an FAA All Weather Operations Program Manager, NextGen Branch. This award recognizes her tireless work with consultants and stakeholders, including airlines and other agencies and FAA offices, to gain the necessary approvals for air service. Recently, the complexities of aircraft leasing, airline agreements, and an airline bankruptcy collided with NEPA to potentially leave Joplin, MO without passenger service less than one year after a tornado struck that community. Seward’s dedication helped complete a critical environmental assessment (EA) – one of at least eight she saw to completion over the past two years – to keep airline service running at Joplin.

2012 ACC Board of Directors Chair Courtney Beamon with Delta Airport Consultants, Inc., who presented the award, stated, "This year it is truly an honor for me to present the 2012 ACC Agency Best Practices Award to Joan Seward. Her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty is a real testament to her professionalism and her commitment has been - and will continue to be - of benefit to many."

The ACC membership believes that industry partners play a pivotal role in the development and operations of airports. The purpose of this award is to draw attention to individuals who exemplify teamwork, demonstrate their understanding of effective stakeholder interface and exhibit an ability to be flexible and innovative.