Airport Experience® News - ACDBE Issue 2026

“Organizations that focus on mentorship, people-focused development and a positive workplace culture will be best prepared for the future.” – Bianca Salas, customer experience specialist, Indianapolis International Airport

From the airport concessions side, participants include Angel Reese, director of operations at High Flying Foods ; Sal Mendola, senior director of culinary and concept development at Areas USA ; Trish Singh, regional vice president of operations at SSP America ; Alea LaRocque, vice president of business development at WHSmith North America ; Michael Parks, senior director of business development and finance at Avolta ; and Meghan Woods, vice president of business development at Paradies Lagardère . For members like IND’s Salas, the honor is the reflection of a hard-won personal and professional journey. “Being recognized by my organization as a next-generation leader, and now through AXN and the Next Gen Collective, feels like watching the American dream happen in real time for both my family and me,” she says. “Any milestone I achieve is thanks, in part, to the sacrifices they made and the foundation they laid for me. “It’s an incredible honor and, selfishly, I hope it also helps open more doors for women and people who look like me to pursue careers in aviation and feel empowered to take up space in rooms where they may not have traditionally seen themselves represented,” Salas adds. Salas looks forward to discussing the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on succession planning, workforce sustainability and mental health support for airport industry professionals. “Entire generations of institutional knowledge are leaving industries faster than organizations can prepare the next generation to confidently step into those roles,” says Salas. “I also believe this new generation is approaching work differently. There’s a stronger focus on transparency, adaptability, and long-term sustainability. Younger leaders still care deeply about operational success and growth, but they also seek workplaces that are healthy and sustainable for people over time. The aviation industry moves quickly and under high pressure, so I think organizations that focus on mentorship, people-focused development and a positive workplace culture will be best prepared for the future.”

Ongoing financial pressures and instability in political and geopolitical markets add to the challenges that rising leaders face, adds TPA’s Barry. “Financial strain remains top of mind for airports, airlines, and concessionaires, requiring creative thinking around new revenue streams, sponsorships, and activations that add passenger value,” he says. Additionally, “political and market shifts – such as the recent dissolution of Spirit [Airlines] – continue to reshape strategies and budgets across the industry,” says Barry. “Navigating these uncertainties demands agility and a steady focus on long-term stability.” For BNA’s Baker, financial pressures are “perhaps the most defining issue,” she says. “The cost of living has risen so dramatically that starting a business, especially in our industry, feels out of reach for many. This directly affects the pipeline of new, young concessionaires.” Like Salas, Baker sees challenges in workforce development. “Even entering the industry at all can be difficult,” she says. “Pay often doesn’t match the cost of living near airports, and long commutes make the jobs less appealing. Meanwhile, the compensation for higher level roles often does not reflect the workload or stress, so younger workers see little incentive to climb the ladder when they can earn similar pay in entry level or service roles with far less pressure.” WHSmith’s LaRocque points to similar challenges, noting that “these issues are forcing us to think differently about how we build partnerships, structure deals, support small businesses, and create long term value for airports,” she says. “I think our generation will need to lead with more transparency, flexibility, and collaboration, while still protecting the community and equity-focused programs that make this industry stronger.”’

Industry veterans like Roderick McOwan, chief development officer at WHSmith North America, believe that Next Gen leaders like LaRocque are up to the task of facing an evolving marketplace. “Alea and I first met at an AXC conference and I watched her career grow when she was with Mission Yogurt ,” says McOwan. “Anytime I observed her interactions with delegates or potential clients, at either a conference or in a competitive bidding situation around the country, she was always very professional and engaging, both of which are base level skills from a business development perspective. She of course has many other skills and is an eager listener and learner. It took me over three years to persuade her to join WHSmith North America, and she has continued to grow in the role, and demonstrated a sound track record of success in her role.” The ability to pair operational excellence with a deep sense of purpose is one reason Maritza Haller, vice president of culture and development at High Flying Foods, nominated Angel Reese for the AX Next Gen Collective. “She doesn’t just deliver results in the concessions space; she brings meaning to the work by leading with service, joy, and an unwavering commitment to developing the people around her. Angel embodies what it means to be a next-generation leader in airport dining — someone who elevates both the guest experience and the people behind it.” Investing in young professionals through working groups “is an investment in the future of our industry,” adds Eric Johnson, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at BNA. “By creating opportunities for emerging leaders to collaborate, learn, and contribute, we strengthen innovation, cultivate diverse perspectives and build the next generation of leaders who will shape dynamic, customer-focused concessions programs for years to come.”

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AX NEWS JUNE 2026