Airport Experience® News - Leadership Issue 2024

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DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR LARGE-HUB AIRPORTS

g eulen CLAY PASLAY, CEO and Managing Partner, Paslay Group When Doug got the CEO job, he inherited a bit of an administrative mess. He took on basically rebuilding the business itself in terms of getting the right systems in place, getting the right operating procedures in place and all those kinds of things. All the while his airport was growing, one of the fastest growing airports in the United States, and he had a major capital development program right in the middle of this operating airport. Just one of those is a big enough challenge, but he had it all going at the same time. It’s quite a feat to pull all that off and he’s still got a lot underway. Their foresight – starting to look out into the future – is another thing that didn’t exist before. He’s brought a long-range perspective to the organization, and has really upped the scale in terms of professionalism. I’m always amazed at what Doug’s been able to do and still keep a positive attitude about it. He is always cracking jokes – he has a good time even though he is under a lot of pressure. He’s also very good at listening to others, taking into account different perspectives and different approaches, trying to find the best solution about getting the job done. In my view, they ought to be building a statue of that guy. KEVIN BURKE, President and CEO, Airports Council International – North America TODD HAUPTLI, President and CEO, American Association of Airport Executives Doug is a real servant leader. He’s humble, he’s hardworking, he’s passionate. He cares a lot about the accredited training programs. He has special incentive programs for his employees to go through and get their certified member status or their A.A.E. [accredited airport executive]. He’s just a big, big believer in continuing education, which I appreciate. Of course, there’s been explosive growth at Nashville. They’re a large hub and he’s moving fast to stay ahead of the wave. His airport, I think, has one of the very best sense of place of any airport in the country. When you go, you know are in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve dealt with a lot of his MAX GOLDBERG, Owner and Managing Partner, Strategic Hospitality I think Doug is one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met. The work leading up to the [new terminal opening] was nothing short of just inspirational. We opened up four places at the airport. We definitely deal with Fraport [for the day-to-day], but I’ve always been able to get experience, share and feedback through Doug. He’s been a great friend and resource for us. We’ve served on the tourism board together …and his insight on aviation and travel has been invaluable on the tourism side. I think he’s created one of the best airports in the world. Also, he has a sense of servant leadership, and the way that he takes care of his people is remarkable. He’s one of the more inspiring leaders I’ve ever met.

team and they just absolutely love him. He has a humble and very team-oriented approach. Everybody knows who the boss is, who the leader is, but he is turning that around and pointing [accolades] back at his team all the time.

Doug has had a very interesting career. He was in the Air Force for 25 years, and he took the skills he had learned and applied them to airports. He had really transformed the Nashville airport into a world-class facility. Clearly he understands the needs of the people who come through Nashville, both to transfer also to do business in Nashville. When you go to Nashville airport, you know you’re in Nashville. You see pianos, you hear music…. One of Doug’s ideas is that your airport has to be reflective of the community you represent, and he and his team have done an amazing job of getting to that point.

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AX NEWS DECEMBER 2024 / JANUARY 2025