Airport Experience® News - Leadership 2022

2022 SMALL AIRPORTS DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

SMALL AIRPORT POWERHOUSE Kelly Has Outsized Impact On Airport Industry

BY C AROL WARD

Greg Kelly has spent most of his career at a single airport. He joined Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) in 1989 and through the years was mentored by then-director Patrick Graham. When Graham retired, Kelly took the helm. Throughout his tenure, Kelly has wowed local officials with his commitment to air service growth and stellar customer service. For the broader industry, his commitment to collaboration and innovation earns him high praise. Here are some of the comments Kelly’s colleagues and friends made about his leadership.

BILL MILES president and CEO, Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce “G r e g h a s a tremendous impact on two states, Georgia and South Carolina. The Savannah/Hilton Head International

HEATH ALLEN Executive Director, Lake Charles Regional Airport “It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-year director, Greg will take you in, treat you like you’ve been there forever and give you

Airport is 45 minutes away from Hilton Head in South Carolina, and a large number of passengers going through that airport are coming to Hilton Head Island. His air service development initiatives have transformed our region. He realizes the importance of - and invests in - airline recruitment, which has really changed the picture of tourism for the entire region.”

total respect. He’s always willing to share information and help you learn a process. The folks that work for him are consummate professionals as well, and it’s all a reflection on him. When it comes to small airports, I don’t know if there’s a better run operation than SAV. Every time I go through there, I’m always more impressed. There is no one more deserving of the award.”

MARK GALE CEO and Director of Aviation, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

“Mr. Kelly and I are like brothers. He’s one of my best friends in the world and a great selection for this award. The work he’s done at the Savannah airport is extraordinary, and outside of the airport itself, [he’s also at the forefront] in economic development, air service development, working with chambers of commerce and the hospitality and tourism industries. He’s been on the [national] stage with heavy involvement in both AAAE and ACI. “I’ve visited with Greg at his facility, a smaller airport. It’s one of those facilities where when Mr. Kelly walks around everybody knows who he is. He has established wonderful relationships with his tenants and his concessionaires.”

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