Akron-Canton Airport President & CEO, Renato "Ren" Camacho presented at our Club meeting October 29th.  What an informative presentation! He started by asking "do you know who owns the Akron-Canton Airport?" Everyone was thinking and finally one person said "We do". It is indeed a public entity, governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees and operates on the revenues generated at the airport; zero local tax dollars! They expect about 745,000 passengers through 2024 and offers the average lowest cost airfare. The mission is to offer our customers an exceptional travel experience while serving as a major driver in the economic growth of Northeast Ohio; an approach that manages our business sensibly plus remains socially and environmentally responsible. The Vision: By promoting superior customer service, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and constantly investing in the improvement of the travel experience through innovation and employee engagement, we will continue to be a better way to go. There have been, and continues to be, airport improvements including gate modernization, pavement projects and continued guest enhancements. The airport is on 2,700 acres and boasts Foreign Trade Zone status with major tenants such as FedEX, DHL, Walmart and Graco. West General Aviation Area Plan makes up about 80 acres available for expansion and it is home to the Ohio National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility - Blackhawk and Chinook operations. Ren explained the business development efforts also underway for the West Side Development Area/Business Parks. Did you know there is an area of the property dedicated to Sustainability Projects and Initiatives? This includes a Honey Bee Farm and Harvesting. Ren provided a great overview and many facts and figures about the airport - you can view these in the PowerPoint slides - click here. ABOUT REN: Renato “Ren” Camacho is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Akron-Canton Airport following a unanimous appointment by the Airport Authority’s Board of Trustees in 2018. Ren’s core responsibilities include leading a 60+ member team of airport employees, strategic planning for the future of the airport, and directing all capital improvement programs. Specifically, Ren ensures the airport is a vital, economic engine that increases economic activity and pride to Northeast Ohio. Ren has over 30 years of professional experience in the aviation and transportation engineering sectors, specializing in program management and customer service. He has implemented over $400M of federally- and locally-funded projects for initiatives including: runway safety area improvements, master plans, lease negotiations with airlines, economic development, and airport infrastructure projects. Most recently, Ren served as Chief of Planning and Engineering with the City of Cleveland’s Department of Port Control which oversees Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Burke Lakefront Airport, and the Lakefront Harbors. Prior to his Cleveland tenure, Ren spent 14 years with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, working in various capacities to complete major capital infrastructure projects including the World Trade Center site, George Washington Bridge, NY metro airports, Port Authority Bus Terminal, and Holland/Lincoln Tunnels. Throughout his career, Ren has strived to positively shape the operational and business elements of long-range infrastructure, facility planning, and development initiatives. He possesses a sound knowledge of FAA requirements including airport certification, security, planning, noise compatibility, master plans, lease agreements, and grant assurances. Ren received his Masters Degree in Transportation Planning & Engineering from the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He serves on numerous boards and organizations in the Akron-Canton region, including the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Akron-Canton, Akron Summit Convention Visitors Bureau, Aultman Health Foundation, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Akron Chamber, Kent State University Board of Trustees, Stark Economic Development Board, and Visit Canton. He is also an advisor to Akron Public Schools’ College and Career Academies at Firestone HS. He is a proud graduate of Leadership Akron’s Class 40 and is one of Crain’s Cleveland Business 2023 Notable Latino Leaders. Ren is an Accredited Airport Executive, a licensed professional engineer in the state of Ohio, and Professional Traffic Operations Engineer. |
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Sandy Naragon, Chair
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