Power Players in Aviation

Over the past 20 years, Steven has earned a highly respected reputation as an executive and thought leader within the fast-evolving parking/transportation/mobility industry. A strong believer in engagement and collaboration, Steven has belonged and contributed to six leading business and industry associations, including the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and Airports Council International (ACI), the National Parking Association and the International Parking and Mobility Institute where he earned a Certified Administrator of Public Parking (CAPP) designation.

After spending several years as corporate marketing and finance executives, Arthur and Jay Richardson, both MBAs, founded Airport Electronics, Inc. (AEI). Initially, AEI operated multiple specialty retail and news & gift stores in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.  Fifteen years ago, AEI expanded to New York’s LaGuardia and JFK Airports.  Since 2013 AEI has been a ACDBE Joint Venture Partner with DFS as the operator of duty-free travel retail stores at JFK’s Terminal 4.  Three years ago, AEI was certified (DBE and MWBE) by PANYNJ to sell/distribute durable goods and equipment, including digital signage and electronic products.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
As  long standing members of the Delta community – both as frequent flyers and as providers of travel retail products and services to other Delta customers, we are always appreciative of improvements to Delta’s facilities.  The new Delta Terminal at Laguardia is gorgeous and the improvements coming to Terminal 4 at JFK should be equally as impressive.

Tell us about your best flying experience…
The long haul travel experience to the Maldives using Delta and Emirates equipment was delightful.  It literally took us halfway around the world.

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
We have been in the travel retail business over 25 years and that is largely because we love to travel.  We have had many many great trips ….. but I think the most memorable adventure was a Safari trip to Botswana, followed closely by a Nile River Cruise.  A list of favorites would include Anguilla, Venice, London, California coast, and, of course, New York’s many special spots.

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
Country adapters and chargers, sports shoes, walking clothes, AirPods  and facial and hand wipes.

Clorinda Antonucci began her career in aviation back in 1982 for American Airlines. Through her hard work and dedication, she worked her way up to management during her 25 years. She continued her career by joining Insignia Renovations as executive vice president. Those working in the aviation community know Clorinda from her status as president of the JFK Airport Rotary, member of the LGA Airport Kiwanis, and executive director of the JFK Airport Chamber of Commerce

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
Being a part of JFK Airport for 41 years, I have seen many improvements. I would have to say one of my favorites over the past few years would have to be the TWA Hotel conversion from the iconic TWA Terminal.

Tell us about your best flying experience…
My best flying experience, that is a hard one. I fly so frequently that most of my experiences are special. If I had to pick one, it would be flying with my family.

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
My favorite travel adventure, another hard one to answer. I would say the annual JFK Int’l Airport KAAMCO Convention trips. They are always an adventure.

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
The most important item I pack for a trip is my passport because even traveling domestically, my trip may take me on an international adventure.

Alex has over 25 years of experience in the development and financing of large infrastructure projects across five continents and has headed ING’s Infrastructure Finance practice for the Americas for the past five years. Originally trained as a civil engineer, he has worked as a contractor, structural engineer, economist and project finance banker. 

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
The choices are few to date (but soon there will be many contenders). LGA redevelopment. And the redevelopment of the TWA terminal hotel at JFK! 

Tell us about your best flying experience…
A mid-Covid Fiji Air flight from LAX to Sydney with a mid-pacific stopover on a Fijian island to go through transit – complete with palm trees and security agents in hula skirts.

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
An early 1990’s six month overland South American journey from Venezuela to Chile…don’t remember half of what actually happened.

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
All manner of laptops, chargers, and adapters for every eventuality.  And a swimsuit! You never know when you will wish you had one with you.

Nicole has more than 20 years experience in workforce development. She has led various initiatives designed to provide access to careers in the unionized construction industry. She is dedicated to equity and gainful employment, components of a vibrant life. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
The brand new Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport is my favorite. The floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light. The iconic New York City eateries and public art installations make the space delightful!

Tell us about your best flying experience…
I always like the flight to visit my family in Puerto Rico because it’s customary for everyone to clap when the plane lands.

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
So far, I have visited 18 different countries. Most recently, we went to Mexico City (CDMX) where we visited museums, restaurants, and UNESCO sites. We also attended a Lucha Libre match. It was wonderful to be part of a local pastime and receive our very own máscaras!

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
Contacts and sunglasses for sure. If it’s for business, reading glasses and travel steamer. If it’s for fun, sunscreen and chanclas.

An airline veteran for 42 years, all at JFK, Jim started his airline career back in 1979 with Yugoslav Airlines and has been with Air New Zealand for a year. Known for his bow ties, he is sometimes referred to as “The Mayor of JFK”. Jim loves traveling to the Caribbean and spends his spare time taking on his passion for photography.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
Watching the terminals transform into massive state of the art terminals. JFK has come a long way from when I first started working here when there were nine terminals.

Tell us about your best flying experience…
I’ve had so many, but the one that stands out was the first time I took my son and daughter to Australia in 1995. I’ve taken them to many places in the world, but that flight to Australia was really special to me. They loved all the amenities and movies that were being shown, and they actually slept incredibly well on that long flight from LAX.

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
Curacao, Anguilla, and Barbados. There is something about the Caribbean Sea that is captivating, along with the people, food, and cultures. When people ask me why the Caribbean, my simple answer, the Caribbean Sea is soothing to the soul!

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
I’m also a photographer, so I take my camera gear no matter where I travel to.

Dr. Gerrard P. Bushell is president and CEO of The New Terminal One. He leads the nation’s largest public-private partnership, designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining a world-class terminal at JFK International Airport in partnership with the Port Authority of NY and NJ. Built by union labor, the project will bring an estimated 10,000 jobs and achieve groundbreaking diversity and inclusion goals. Dr. Bushell brings a wealth of experience from finance, government, and labor.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
I am biased here, but my favorite airport improvement is our project – The New Terminal One (NTO). We are building the world-class, global gateway to the world’s greatest city and empowering Southeast Queens.

Tell us about your best flying experience…
I have had wonderful experiences flying with Air France and many of our airline partners. One of my most recent international flights was with Korean Air, from Korea to Singapore. The level of comfort, professionalism, and service were impeccable, and reflective of the customer experience we seek to achieve by partnering with world-class airlines at NTO.

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to travel to some great airports across Asia—Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Incheon in Seoul, and Changi in Singapore all stand out as the type of world-class airport that NTO aspires to be.

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
My Bose noise-canceling headphones. I like to listen to music in the cabin while flying, and these help me relax and enjoy the trip. Additionally, my iPad allows me to stay abreast of news in New York and across the globe while on the move.

George Casey is chair and CEO of Vantage Airport Group, an airport investment, development, and management company. Since 2016, Casey has worked with the Port Authority to develop two New York airport terminals: award-winning $5.1B LaGuardia Terminal B, and new $4.2B Terminal 6 at JFK, now underway. In his 30-year career, Casey has worked with 180 airports, overseen $12B in financing and led everything from capital planning and development to finance, operations, and commercial management.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
LaGuardia Terminal B! It’s been incredible to be part of the redevelopment and operation of such an important piece of both New York’s aviation infrastructure and the US national system. With the Port Authority, we’ve delivered a world class terminal that reflects the best of New York. We’ve created a unique sense of place through design, art, amenities and customer service that elevates passenger expectations of what traveling through LaGuardia Terminal B can be.  

Tell us about your best flying experience…
Early in my career, I flew throughout the state of Alaska as part of an airport network system plan for the United States Postal Service. The scenery was spectacular, the people were welcoming, and the pilots were fantastic. The actual flying was exciting, although at times a bit too thrilling!

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
My favorite travel adventures are always with my family. If it happens to be on a float plane, all the better.

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
Flexibility and patience. I will admit, sometimes I don’t pack enough of either. Traveling can be exciting and rewarding but there are times when things do not go according to plan, given distances, weather, safety requirements, and other complexities. I try to return with a positive takeaway, whether traveling for business or pleasure. Oh, and a good shoe wipe comes in handy.  

John Paul Cisneros is vice president and co-founder of AmericanTriple I JMP. In this role, Mr. Cisneros is responsible for negotiating, structuring, and underwriting prospective transactions and supervising deal closings.  Before the founding of AmericanTriple I JMP, Mr. Cisneros served as vice president at Siebert Williams Shank. Mr. Cisneros earned his B.S. in public policy, planning, and development from the University of South Carolina and his M.B.A from Columbia Business School.

With 35 years of professional experience in real estate development, Business Improvement Districts, community planning and small business assistance, Barbara J. Cohen, real estate and planning consultant, has provided professional services to a range of both private and public sector clients. The hands-on approach and long-standing reputation ensures the highest quality of technical expertise and professional judgment.

What is your favorite New York airport improvement over the past few years?
As a passenger, public transportation access and internal circulation and communications on-airport. More work to be done connecting on-and-off airport cargo activities given their inherent synergies associated with the logistics industry.

Tell us about your best flying experience…
As a passenger traveler, the opportunity to apply reward points to obtain a business class seat makes the best flying experience!

What has been your favorite travel adventure?
A week long Andalusian horse riding vacation in Spain, each day following centuries-old bridle paths discovering Moorish irrigation channels and forestry tracks, passing through small villages, almond and olive groves, and mountain pastures.

What are the most important items that you pack for a trip?
Depending on the journey, a variety of clothing to match changing, unexpected weather and activities, and of course, a good medical kit.