Airport Experience® News - Conference 2023

SPEAKERS & MODERATORS

DANIEL CAPPELL FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT CAPPELL CONSULTING LLC

JIM DECOCK PRESIDENT J. DECOCK CONSULTING, LLC

Daniel Cappell is founder and president of Cappell Consulting LLC, specializing in commercial revenue

Jim DeCock is president of J. DeCock Consulting, LLC. He has more than 24 years of experience in the

optimization. Most recently he was with the Ontario International Airport Authority, which he still represents on commercial matters. Cappell has more than 30 years dedicated aviation experience across multiple aspects of the business. He has held senior C suite roles within three of the main channels of the global airport commercial business: retail and food & beverage, airport authorities and international brand representation. Prior to moving to the USA, he served as the chief commercial officer for Abu Dhabi Airports Company.

airport industry, including planning, implementing, management of dining and retail, along with other award-winning programs which maximized customer service and revenue. His consulting services include concession planning, business development, concession revenue enhancement and operational optimization. Prior to starting his consulting company in 2022, DeCock was interim director of the Revenue Generation & Partnership Development Department at San Diego International Airport. Prior to SAN, he worked in concessions at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

LANA CRAMER VP BRAND STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATION SSP AMERICA

DAREN GRIFFIN PRESIDENT AND CEO RENO-TAHOE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

As the vice president of brand strategy and communications for SSP America, Lana Cramer

Daren Griffin is the president and CEO of the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority, responsible for leading and

collaborates with senior organizational leaders across SSP Group to develop and implement an integrated and comprehensive communications strategy designed to share the SSP brand story with key internal and external stakeholders. Engaging effectively with stakeholders, including current and prospective teammembers, is vital to SSP America’s ongoing growth and ever-present focus on building a strong culture. Cramer was previously the vice president of corporate marketing and communications where she led corporate sponsorships, face-to-face engagement activities and production of a complex proposal and presentation program.

directing Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and Reno Stead Airport (RTS), with an operating budget of $46 million. Formerly the director of the PDXNext Program at the Port of Portland, Griffin became the CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority in August 2020. Griffin has also served as interim director of business properties, the director of operations and the general aviation manager for the Port of Portland, the state airports manager for the state of Oregon and the director of Yuma International Airport in Arizona.

JOSE CUEVAS SENIOR MANAGER, COMMERCIAL JFK IAT

PILAR GUZMAN ZAVALA CEO HALF MOON EMPANADAS

As a senior manager, commercial, for JFK International Airport Terminal, Jose Cuevas is

Pilar Guzman Zavala is the CEO of Half Moon Empanadas, a fast-casual food concept in Miami

part of the Customer Experience and Commercial Department at JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), the operator of T4, the largest and busiest terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Cuevas leads JFKIAT’s commercial retail and services development and operation and is also the point person for the department for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts. He has more than 10 years of experience in commercial development and retail operations, operational readiness and transition, and guest service development and execution in the hospitality, retail, and travel industries.

that offers more than 14 flavors of Argentinian-style empanadas. Under Guzman’s leadership, Half Moon Empanadas is embarking on a national expansion to create a new food category in America, the empanada. Half Moon has been in business for 14 years and has more than 15 locations, including Miami International Airport (MIA) Half Moon Empanadas expansion in 2023 includes Denver International Airport (DEN). Before joining Half Moon Empanadas, Guzman Zavala worked at The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation managing the national programs grant process.

CHRIS GWILLIAM VP GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AIRPORT DIMENSIONS

PAMELA DECHANT SVP CONCESSIONS DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Chris Gwilliam serves as vice president of global business development at Airport Dimensions, global

Pamela DeChant is the senior vice president of concessions at Denver International Airport,

specialists in designing, building, and operating shared-use lounges and airport experiences. Gwilliam is responsible for continually strengthening Airport Dimensions’ competitive position and identifying strategic partnerships that support revenue growth and network expansion.

currently the third-busiest airport in the world. She provides oversight to concessions development and the commercial master plan. Prior to joining DEN, Pamela spent more than 20 years in the Colorado business community at the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, Colorado Travel and Tourism Authority, and as a retail and manufacturing small business owner.

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