Airport Experience® News - Leadership & Culture Issue 2023

2023 DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR SMALL AIRPORTS

PREPARATION AND POSITIVITY Tory Richardson Admired, Respected For Broad Experience, Willingness To Work

BY ANDREW TELLIJOHN

Tory Richardson is positive, poised under pressure, always prepared, willing to get his hands dirty – both literally and figuratively – to solve problems and get things done. And, say civic, academic and industry leaders, he’s an upbeat, genuinely decent human being. Here’s what a few of them had to say about the president and CEO of Gerald R. Ford International Airport, who is near-universally respected by colleagues who seek him out for advice or to present to their classes and business groups.

ROSALYNN BLISS Mayor of Grand Rapids

MARK GALE CEO and Director of Aviation, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport “Tory was in the chair seat [at AAAE] when the pandemic hit. We had to make a lot of tough decisions

“Some people tend to see worst-case scenarios where he is always seeing best case scenarios, which is a quality I wish more people had. I

think it adds to problem solving. When we’re trying to figure out how to work something out or how to address issues, he’s able to come to the table in a really thoughtful way, which I always appreciate.”

with the association that we were entrusted to safeguard, along with staff, and they were not easy decisions. Nobody knew at that point how long the pandemic was going to last, how much damage it was going to wreak. Tori was at the forefront of trying to make sure that we prepared out selves accordingly. As chair of the executive committee, he played a key leadership role. I think our association is that much stronger because of some of the efforts of Tory Richardson.”

KEVIN BURKE President and CEO, Airports Council International – North America

“He’s been somebody I can rely on for good advice. I’ll call Tory up and say, ‘We’re thinking about going in this direction’ and he’ll give me an honest assessment, not just as the airport director at Gerald Ford, but also as an airport professional who’s been around for a while and knows the ropes and knows what the airport industry needs. He has been a pleasure to work with.”

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AX NEWS LEADERSHIP ISSUE 2023