Airport Experience® News - Leadership Issue 2024

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DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR SMALL AIRPORTS

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MARK HABERER, Director of Aviation, Parkhill

TODD HAUPTLI, President and CEO, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)

“As I reflect on my career of nearly 25 years, the opportunity to work so closely and consistently with Kelly certainly ranks high on my list of career highlights. She and

pbell I are currently involved in our third project together that exceeds $35 million and which spans across multiple years. That type of project can be very challenging, but one of Kelly’s strengths is her ability to formulate an effective plan to fund the project using a range of funding sources. Her proactive and methodical approach to planning always makes conversations with the FAA so much easier. But what I value as much as the professional relationship with Kelly is the friendship. I can think back and recall so many conversations over lunch or over a cup of coffee where we talked about Texas Tech Athletics or raising kids. That type of personal connection makes the professional side extremely rewarding.” “I have such admiration for Kelly Campbell. She was our chair during the worst part of the pandemic when our industry was facing its biggest challenge in history. She was calm, thoughtful, resolute, pragmatic and compassionate. She helped navigate AAAE through a very narrow pathway back from the brink, and she did it with uncommon grace. She’s as good as they come, full stop.” TORY RICHARDSON, President and CEO, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority “Kelly is known for her soft, Southern-charm voice, but I really like the way she thinks. She’s sharp, has a good attitude, and isn’t too shy to speak up. Her voice gets your attention; her statements get you thinking. Her leadership skills and attributes serve her well. She quickly ascended within the airport industry, starting out in finance at a small airport, becoming well known in the industry, getting promoted to the executive director of aviation at LBB, serving as president of the South Central Chapter of AAAE, and later becoming AAAE chair. Over her career, we’ve served together on the AAAE Board and worked together going through the officer positions on the AAAE Executive Committee. That is where I came to really appreciate Kelly’s thoughtfulness, perspective and business acumen. She brought a balanced approach to the issues we were facing, and I think it was appreciated by her colleagues. I’m grateful for her leadership, our friendship and her contributions to our industry.” BILL HOWERTON, Deputy City Manager, City of Lubbock “Kelly’s impact at LBB cannot be understated. She is a ‘numbers whiz.’ Her skills allow her to be on top of all airport operations, including grants and the requirements that come with the funding. Her analysis is above question. I am able to trust her budget and her proposals are accurate and well thought out. Kelly and her staff just completed a rehab of the terminal building. This was the first major renovation of the facility that was built in the 1970s. The total project was completed within budget, which was just under $50 million. One of her most impressive accomplishments has been her work with AAAE. While serving as chair of the organization, she has shined a positive spotlight on LBB and Lubbock itself. She has proven to be a great ambassador for us.”

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AX NEWS DECEMBER 2024 / JANUARY 2025