Even 23 years later, the stories of esteemed aviation leaders and their response to the September 11, 2001, terror attacks continue to provide learning opportunities for the benefit of future airport industry professionals.

In recent years, ACI-NA has made significant investments to better integrate future leaders in the organization.

This year, ACI-NA once again partnered with the Human Resiliency Institute at Fordham University – led by Tom Murphy – to organize the “Reclaiming the Sky Resiliency Project,” a learning and development essay contest organized to engage up-and-coming airport industry leaders.  ACI-NA appreciates additional support for this year’s program from SSP America.

This was a project we began last year to keep the memory of 9/11’s aviation heroes alive through the efforts of our future leaders.

Through this year’s essay contest, young professionals from across the airport industry were invited to read the stories of aviation heroes profiled in the book, “Reclaiming the Sky,” and participate in a workshop with aviation mentors to explore lessons about resiliency.

This year’s winners were Eric Caplan, Sustainability and Resilience Program Director, Tampa International Airport; Second Place: Fabian Guevara, Analyst, Connico; and Third Place, Megan Adair, Executive Assistant, Departure Media. The winners were recognized during the 2024 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids on September 10, 2024.