Airport Experience® News - Leadership & Culture Issue 2023

2023 DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR MEDIUM AIRPORTS SACRAMENTO STAR Cindy Nichol Is Guiding SMF Forward, And Simultaneously Leading Industry Change

BY CAROL WARD

Cindy Nichol isn’t one to seek the spotlight, but she certainly doesn’t fade into the background either. By many accounts – from her colleagues in Sacramento and throughout the state of California to her colleagues nationwide – Nichol takes on some of the most daunting tasks in the airport industry and works doggedly to achieve the desired result. Nichol, director of airports for the Sacramento County Airport System , is

credited with using her financial prowess to help guide the U.S. airport industry through the pandemic, she’s one of the key drivers of an effort to get AIP formula changes that benefit medium and large hub airports and she dives into the weeds on a variety of policy issues whether they impact SMF directly or not. At home, Nichol has managed to win broad support for her vision for the Sacramento County Airport System – comprised of Sacramento International

Above: Cindy Nichol, director of airports for the Sacramento County Airport System

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AX NEWS LEADERSHIP ISSUE 2023