Airport Experience® News - Leadership Issue 2025

ADVERTORIAL

Q: What qualities did you see in Nikki that said, ‘this is the woman best equipped to take CI forward’? RUSSELL ROSS: We hired a national search firm to assist us in selecting my successor. My goal was to find someone who had experience effectively leading and growing a hospitality company, shared the family’s values and had a genuine appreciation for the company’s history and legacy. We were fortunate to attract Nikki. Like many in our industry, I have admired Nikki since meeting her years ago. Her understanding of airport concessions, depth of experience managing operations, engaging with the team, successful execution of significant growth initiatives and our shared values made her the ideal next leader of Concessions International, LLC. Q: Nikki, as you embark on this leadership role, what’s your vision for the company going forward? TINSLEY HARLAND: I am excited to lead this next chapter for Concessions International, LLC. The vision and North Star are to continue to grow in our industry, drive outstanding results and be a great place to work for our teams. I have been very excited by the goals we’ve established to grow, specifically, in new and existing airports. This also means that we will look to expand innovation in a useful way, retain top talent, and deliver financial results that will support CI both long and short-term.

Above: Paschal’s Restaurant serves delicious southern cuisine that excites the taste buds of today’s travelers.

are all facing. I do believe that in many cases, we must ignite a focus to drive change and results not only in the concessions space, but the aviation ecosystem. This is happening, but we must continue to hold hands and present fact-based solutions that ultimately drive the greater good for all. Q: There is a reference to “not too big” yet “not too small” on the company website. What are the key advantages of being a mid-sized operator (as opposed to a major prime) in our industry? TINSLEY HARLAND: There are many advantages to our size and as we grow, we look to maintain this ability to lead in a truly entrepreneurial way. As we look to join forces with brands or create our own, we do not want to stifle creativity. Many of the most important jobs in our company are those of the chefs and managers in our airports. We want there to be no red tape. Our leaders should run the business as if they completely own it. This is an advantage for us. Many larger primes are just not positioned to do that for a number of reasons. I find this to be a huge competitive advantage. Q: Do you see expansion opportunities, and is expansion a goal? TINSLEY HARLAND: Absolutely! This will be accomplished via growth in current and new markets as well as possible partnerships and M&A activity. Q: Finally, Donata, with Nikki having taken over driving CI forward, what’s next for you? RUSSELL ROSS: I plan to rest, take some time to travel and spend quality time with family and friends over the next several months. Beyond that, I am leaving my options open and flexible! The full-service bar and restaurant with a grab-and-go option offers award-winning menus celebrating local fare, seasonal seafood, regional wines, and America’s best brunch. Above: Salty’s at the SEA has become a traveler favorite at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Q: Can you share where CI is now and what’s in store for the upcoming year? TINSLEY HARLAND: We are in just under 10 airports in the U.S. and the U.S, Virgin Islands. Many are major hubs with high passenger exposure. We are laser focused on protecting and growing our business. We are positioning ourselves to pursue opportunities in markets that are both familiar and new. We are known for our hospitality in bars and restaurants and look to expand our hybrids/ markets as well. This can be accomplished via proprietary, local and national relationships. Q: What does CI offer that other companies can’t match? TINSLEY HARLAND: We are known for guest service and innovative concepts. We are both small enough and large enough to act in a nimble way to meet the needs of our airports and its passengers. I am proud of our reputation for doing what we have said we will do. As a smaller Prime, we can cut through red tape and act in a more nimble manner. Our airports have shouted that out to us. Q: What are the key challenges you see – both for CI and for airport concessions overall – as we enter into a new year, and how are you poised to tackle those challenges? TINSLEY HARLAND: Our industry is facing a number of headwinds. If you look at the geopolitical environment, tariffs, labor, as well as other factors we are in a season that is unlike no other. Our industry and Company are resilient. 9/11, the pandemic, the great recession are just a few chapters that Concessions International has found a way to not only survive but thrive in the aftermath. There is no one-size fits all solution to what we

Below: A celebration of the next chapter: The Concessions International Team welcomes Tinsley Harland and celebrates the legacy of Russell Ross.

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AX NEWS DECEMBER 2025 / JANUARY 2026