Kelowna International’s Sam Samaddar Becomes Chair of Airports Council

January 4, 2022

WASHINGTON – Kelowna International Airport Director Sam Samaddar became Chair of Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) on January 1, 2022. Samaddar was elected to the position in November 2021 and succeeds outgoing Chair Lew S. Bleiweis, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, North American airports have continued to provide essential services to passengers, workers, and local communities while also ensuring their health and safety, and Lew has been at the forefront of guiding our industry during these challenge times,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “As we continue to respond to a rapidly evolving future for our industry, I have no doubt that Sam’s experience and leadership will help ACI-NA and all of our airports to navigate the unique challenges we’ve encountered in recent years and keep our industry moving forward.”

“Our industry’s recovery is underway, but a clear path forward remains elusive as we continue to navigate the challenges presented by an ongoing pandemic,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director of the Kelowna International Airport and incoming Chair of ACI-NA.  “But, our industry is proactive and resilient, so I am confident our brightest days are ahead.  I look forward to representing this innovative industry and working alongside my colleagues to advance key priorities over the next two years.”

Samaddar began his airport career at the Vancouver International Airport in 1988 and began working for the Kelowna International Airport as superintendent of airport operations in 1992. In 2008, he was appointed Airport Director of the Kelowna International Airport. He is also a board member at Tourism Kelowna and Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission

Additionally, Chellie Cameron, CEO of the Philadelphia International Airport, moved into the Vice Chair role and Lew Bleiweis will become the organization’s Immediate Past Chair.  In addition to welcoming Samaddar, ACI-NA announced the election of several new Board members and Policy Council leadership.

ACI-NA Board of Directors

Bryant Francis, Director of Aviation for the Oakland International Airport; Cindy Nichol, Director of Airports for the Sacramento County Airport System; Jason Terreri, Executive Director for the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority; Patrick Wilson, President of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority; and Monica Newhouse-Rodriguez, MBA, Managing Principal at Newhouse and Associates, LLC, were all elected to the ACI-NA Board of Directors.

Canadian Policy Council

RJ Steenstra, President and CEO of Fort McMurray Airport Authority, will become Chair of the Canadian Policy Council and a member of the organization’s Executive Committee.  Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority, will become the Vice Chair. Philippe Rainville, President and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal, will become Chair of the Large Airports Caucus.  Gene Cabral, Executive Vice-President of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, will become the Chair of the Small Airports Caucus.  Reg Wright, President and CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority, will join the Canadian Policy Council.

U.S. Policy Council

Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, will become Chair of the U.S. Policy Council and a member of the organization’s Executive Committee.  Bryant Francis, Director of Aviation at Oakland International Airport; Cindy Nichol, Director of Airports for the Sacramento County Airport System; Kim Jones, Airport Director at the Dane County Regional Airport; Huntley Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Aviation for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Jesus Saenz, Jr., Director of Airports for the San Antonio Airport System; Ben Siegel, Executive Director for the Lee County Port Authority; Tom Jewsbury, Executive Director of the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport; and Monica Newhouse-Rodriguez, Managing Principal at Newhouse and Associates, LLC, join the U.S. Policy Council.

World Business Partners and Associates Board of Directors

Brian Reed, Director, Strategic Initiatives for Burns & McDonnell, was elected Chair of ACI-NA’s World Business Partners and Associates Board of Directors and Michael Hotaling, Senior Vice President Aviation Practice Leader for C&S Companies, was elected Vice Chair.  Solomon Wong, President and CEO of InterVISTAS Consulting Inc.; Lysa (Scully) Leiponis, Principal and President of LL Aviation Advisors, LLC; and Pamela Brown, Vice President Business Development for Paradies Lagardère, were elected to the World Business Partners and Associates Board of Directors.

A complete list of the ACI-NA Board of Directors and leadership is available on the ACI-NA website.

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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.