Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) on Sept. 25, announced that Craig Richmond, President and CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority, was named the first recipient of the Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award. The award was announced during the 2016 ACI-NA/World Annual Conference and World Annual General Assembly in Montréal.
“In today’s complex environment, running a modern and competitive airport is no easy task,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “Craig’s distinguished leadership and commitment to the aviation industry drives an innovative and engaging business strategy that benefits Vancouver’s workforce, passengers, and community. ACI-NA is pleased to recognize Craig’s important contribution to North American airports with this award.”
“It’s an absolute honor to receive ACI-NA’s Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award,” said Craig Richmond. “YVR’s community-based governance model means that our success comes from a group effort. So this award reflects not just myself but also the amazing YVR team, who go beyond every day to deliver an exceptional airport experience, and our supportive communities—who are proud of YVR and what we have become.”
Richmond rejoined the Vancouver Airport Authority as President and CEO in 2013 after a successful career with Vantage Airport Group. He first worked at Vancouver International Airport from 1995 – 2006 in a variety of operational roles for Vancouver Airport Authority, including Vice President, Operations.
Richmond currently serves on the ACI-NA Board of Directors and leads the organization’s Challenge 2025 Initiative Task Force on Security and Facilitation. Richmond has previously served as the chair of the Canadian Airports Council’s Large Airport Caucus.
Airports are complex and dynamic commercial enterprises serving the broad and diverse needs of 21st century communities in a globally connected world. North America’s airport directors are leading organizations responsible for millions of jobs and trillions of dollars of economic impact within their communities.
To achieve maximum organizational effectiveness and impact, these executives require excellence in visionary leadership to lead their organization’s diverse and varied stakeholder groups, coordinating complex commercial activities for the collective good.
New for 2016, the ACI-NA Human Resources Committee launched a new award to recognize the extraordinary leadership of an airport leader who best exemplifies the nine core competencies, including people practice expertise, relationship management, consultation, leadership and navigation, communication, global and cultural effectiveness, ethical practice, critical evaluation, and business acumen.
