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WASHINGTON – Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) today announced the recipients of the 2024 Risk Management Professional of the Year Awards, recognizing exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in the field of airport risk management. The awards honor professionals across three airport categories: Large, Medium, and Small/Non-Hub.
Large Airport Award Category: Janet Bressler, Director of Risk Management and Construction Safety, Denver International Airport
Janet Bressler’s leadership and innovative approaches to risk management have advanced practices at Denver International Airport (DEN). She led the development of DEN’s Climate Resiliency Assessment and Adaptation Plan, addressing climate-related vulnerabilities to ensure operational continuity, asset protection, and community support. She also spearheaded the Rolling Owner Controlled Insurance Program (ROCIP) Safety Enhancements, achieving a 250% improvement in safety outcomes, which translated into $26 million in cost savings.
Beyond operational advancements, Janet has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and mentorship. Her involvement with the University of Colorado’s Empowering Women in Business program and her creation of the Day@DEN initiative have showcased the strategic importance of risk management while cultivating the next generation of professionals. Janet’s contributions extend to the development of property analytics and collaborative safety dashboards, enhancing data quality and stakeholder engagement, and she has significantly improved DEN’s Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) processes with transparency and efficiency.
Medium Airport Award Category: James Witherspoon, Vice President of Risk, Safety, and Insurance, Raleigh-Durham International Airport
James Witherspoon has played a pivotal role in transforming Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s (RDU) Risk Management Program into a model of excellence within the airport industry. Over the past eight years, James has led initiatives such as the creation of a comprehensive risk register, which tracks significant risks, risk treatments, and rankings. This register enables systematic annual training and process improvements and ensures that risk management principles are embedded throughout the organization.
James developed a risk-based checklist to enhance the initial business case for new projects, embedding a culture of Risk-Informed Decision-Making (RIDM). Additionally, he integrated RDU’s Business Plan with the Risk Register, aligning risk assessment with the airport’s strategic goals, which facilitated a culture of continuous improvement and operational resilience. His efforts have involved staff at all levels, from executives to frontline supervisors, fostering a strong and sustainable risk culture across RDU.
Small/Non-Hub Airport Category: Ken Warriner, Senior Director of Finance, Naples Airport
Ken Warriner’s leadership has significantly bolstered risk management practices at Naples Airport. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which caused catastrophic flooding and damage, Ken led the $10+ million insurance claim process, secured FEMA funding for deductibles, and spearheaded recovery efforts, ensuring the swift restoration of operations. His advocacy for comprehensive flood insurance policies has safeguarded the airport from future storm surges.
Ken has also implemented forward-thinking initiatives in safety and cybersecurity. Under his leadership, the airport deployed a Safety Management System (SMS) two years ahead of regulatory requirements, resulting in a notable reduction in the workers' compensation experience modification factor. Furthermore, Ken’s emphasis on cybersecurity has strengthened the airport’s IT systems through penetration tests, advanced threat detection, and training. His work underscores his dedication to both operational resilience and financial stability, setting a benchmark for small airports nationwide.
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