Top 40 Under 40: Elizabeth Smart

Dec. 3, 2014

Biography

Elizabeth Smart attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Fla., graduating with a BS in Aviation Business Administration.   She started her career in airports as an Airfield Operations Specialist in the Operations Center at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL).  To advance her career, she accepted a position as the Operations Manager/Assistant Director at Sioux Gateway Airport/Col. Bud Day Field (SUX) in Sioux City, Iowa, followed by the opportunity of a lifetime: McMurdo Airfield Supervisor, Antarctica. After checking Antarctica off her bucket list, she accepted a position as a Properties Specialist in the Properties Department at STL.  She is currently STL’s Safety Management System (SMS) Coordinator.    Elizabeth is an American Association of Airport Executives Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) and Airport Certified Employee-Operations (ACE) and serves as an active member in many aviation organizations. 

Q1) Why did you select aviation as a career?

Growing up overseas, I had the opportunity to travel the world, experiencing airports across the globe.  I found the hustle and bustle of airports thrilling and I said to myself, this is what I want to do every day.    Aviation, it just gets into your blood.

Q2)  What advice from a mentor helped you the most in your career?

Keep learning and improving-stay one step ahead of your competition.  

Q3)  What is the biggest challenge you see facing aviation today? 

The biggest challenge for the airport industry:  The large population of retirement-eligible airport professionals together with airports without succession plans.  These retirement-eligible employees will take with them proven leadership methods and valuable institutional knowledge leaving behind a limited number of employees prepared to fill these positions.  It is critical that the industry retain and attract new talent who will carry on the commitment to safety and the ability to satisfy the traveling public that these veteran employees have been able to do so well.   

Q4)  What advice would you give to others in the industry? 

Have fun!  There are so many facets to this industry; so many ways to make every day different and enjoyable; take advantage of these opportunities and have fun! 

Q5)  What are three things we don’t know about you?

  • I’ve had lunch with an orangutan in Singapore.     
  • While at Embry-Riddle I designated a student parking lot the “Jacqueline Cochrane” Parking Lot, the first parking lot on campus to be named after a woman pioneer in aviation.  
  • I worked for the US House of Representatives [in Washington D.C.] as Page when I was 16 years old.  It was an absolutely fantastic experience.