Airport Experience® News - Leadership Issue 2024

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DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR SMALL AIRPORTS

Kelly Camp A COLLEAGUE AND A FRIEND Kelly Campbell Is Lauded For Her Commitment To The Industry BY SALLY KRAL Kelly Campbell’s 23 years in the aviation industry, climbing the ranks at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport from accountant to executive director of aviation, speak for themselves. But her colleagues in the industry are eager to give her due recognition for just how impactful she’s been as a leader both at her airport and within the industry at large. Here are what some of Campbell’s peers – and, thanks to her undeniable good nature, friends – had to say about the highly competent airport director. MARK GALE, CEO and Director of Aviation, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) “I have 7 Cs to describe my view of Kelly Campbell. She’s candid in her perspective – she stands on her own two feet and her beliefs, and I think that’s always a mark of a great leader. She’s collaborative with her colleagues, willing to bend to a point if at the end of the day we need to get something done. She’s charismatic, especially with her Southern charm. She’s calm under pressure. She was at the helm of our association, AAAE, during the most difficult times of the pandemic and she approached the situation that we were up against with a calmness and with a demeanor that was comforting to many of us. She’s concise, she has a way of getting her points across very quickly and to the point. Clearly she is capable – and in the extreme. Regardless of the topic in the aviation world, if we’re talking about an environmental issue, a security related issue, a legislative matter, an operational concern, relationships with airlines, what’s going on the Hill in Washington, what might be going on with our relationship (or in some cases not a relationship) with the FAA, she has demonstrated time and time again that she has a grasp on all of the matters at hand. And she’s clever, I find her very resourceful and quick on her feet. Overall, I think she’s pretty cool – oops, I guess that’s eight Cs! – because in all of that, we developed a wonderful friendship. I can say, unequivocally, she’s not just a great leader, she’s a great person.” DON GREEN, Director of Transportation Services, City of Abilene “I have known Kelly for about 16 years through the AAAE, South Central Chapter of AAAE and Texas Commercial Airports Association boards. Kelly is a professional colleague whose knowledge and experience is widely respected by airport professionals, tenants, FAA, TSA and others who work with her. I frequently talk with her to discuss issues and get her very honest opinion. She has great insight and good instincts. Additionally, she truly cares about the people she works with and the organizations she’s involved in. Kelly has had a big and lasting impact on LBB, by leading large capital projects, some visible and some not visible, to those traveling through the airport, and being a strong negotiator on contracts and leases.”

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AX NEWS DECEMBER 2024 / JANUARY 2025