June 12, 2024

Miami, Fl – Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, today announced the winners of the 2024 Human Resources Excellence Recognition Program Awards. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) received the “Overall Human Resources Program Award”, and Richmond International Airport (RIC) was the “Change Management Program Award” winner.

“Human resources play an integral role in establishing and implementing a positive workforce culture at airports,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “San Francisco International Airport and Richmond International Airport instituted industry-leading programs that invest in the people who run our airports. Their programs are vital to creating the next generation of aviation leaders, and I applaud them for their extraordinary work.”

Overall Human Resources Program Award Winner: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

 San Francisco International Airport (SFO) affirmed its people-first approach by adopting new vision and mission statements and finalizing a five-year strategic plan in the last fiscal year. SFO is progressing to Phase 2 of its Racial Equity Action Plan, which focuses on SFO’s community and economic impact. To supplement Phase 2, SFO hosted a SFO career conference and offered programs focused on technical and leadership training and career mentoring. SFO is also set to launch a leadership development program later this fall. This six-month program will combine online curriculum, in-person workshops, and professional coaching to develop leadership and project management skills. These programs are intended to build future aviation leaders. To maintain its commitment to fostering a positive workforce culture, SFO offers competitive benefits packages, including reimbursement for using public transportation and subsidizing a percentage of childcare costs.

 “Our goal is to enable a world-class team who reflect the very best values of our region,” said SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “Every aspect of our human resource programs support this effort, including succession planning, performance and professional development, change management, wellness, equity, and inclusion. SFO strives to be an airport that puts people first, and we are truly grateful to be honored by Airports Council International – North America for our efforts.”

 Individual Topic – Change Management Program Award Winner: Richmond International Airport (RIC)

While technology and scientific advancements enhance functions and processes in the aviation industry, airport leaders simultaneously continue to invest in their employees. Richmond International Airport’s HR programs are at the forefront of building future leaders in the airport industry. RIC has instituted programs to promote better employee communication, support team coaching to accelerate employee professional development, partner with higher education programs to create a pipeline of future aviation leaders and encourage employee workshops. These programs exemplify RIC’s broader approach to achieving its mission and address workforce gaps in the aviation industry. RIC’s HR programs take an innovative and proactive approach for airports to engage with its employees, track employee growth, provide employee development opportunities, and establish community engagement initiatives.

“Receiving this award from ACI-NA is a testament to Richmond International Airport’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in human resources change management,” said Capital Region Airport Commission CEO and president Perry J. Miller, Ph.D., A.A.E., I.A.P. “Our dedication to coaching, enhancing communication skills, and boosting efficiency among our current leaders is not just an investment in our airport, but in the entire industry’s future. And at our core, we believe in cultivating industry leaders through a robust educational and workforce development pipeline. Together, we are building a legacy of leadership, growth, and sustained success.”

About ACI-NA  

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.