Courtney C. Thornton, is the Executive Vice President, Government and External Affairs for Hudson, one of the largest and most recognizable travel concessionaires in North America with over 1000 duty-paid and duty-free stores. She is responsible for driving excellence and forging relationships. She supports the strategic development and growth of the company’s portfolio in North America relative to strategy, partnerships, public affairs and program management. Courtney is known for her passion and advocacy on behalf of women and minority owned businesses and has developed a broad and deep respect nationally within the airport industry for creating winning partnerships. In June 2023, Courtney received the Airport Minority Advisory Council Foundation’s (“AMAC”) Industry Icon Award. In January 2023 she was elected to serve as Airports Council International – North America (‘ACI-NA”) World Business Partners/Associates Board Member. She is a key leader on Hudson’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee; she completed a three-year term on ACI-NA Business Diversity Committee’s Steering Group; and served as the Southwest Regional Director-At-Large Board Member for the industry Airport Minority Advisory Council. In 2019, she led the effort with Hudson’s business partners to raise money for the AMAC Foundation’s scholarship program and received the 2019 Inclusive Leader Award. In 2015, she served as AMAC’s National Conference Chairperson in Fort Lauderdale and received the 2016 AMAC Catalyst Chairman’s Award. In 2021, she received AMAC’s Advocate of the Year Award. Prior to joining Hudson, she served as In House Legal Counsel and Deputy Director of Legal Affairs to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for sixteen (16) years. In this capacity, she gained considerable experience in aviation. Courtney is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and studied abroad in Moscow, Russia before obtaining a Juris Doctorate Law Degree from Loyola University College of Law. She is a graduate of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (“NORLI”) and a member of The Links Incorporated, New Orleans Chapter. Professional associations include the Louisiana State Bar Association and airport industry organizations. She regularly moderates panels and participates in industry workshops. She is married to Dr. Roderick Thornton and together they have three (3) children.