Airport Administration and Executive Staff
Richard B. McQueen,
President & Chief Executive Officer
Promoted to President and CEO at the Akron-Canton Airport in 2008, Rick’s core responsibilities include leading a 47 member team of airport employees, strategic planning, and managing the new CAK 2018 Capital Improvement Program; a 10-year, $110 million plan that includes a 600 ft. runway extension. Other projects include a customs and border patrol facility and an extended upper level concourse. He reports to an eight member board of trustees (four appointed by the Summit County Executive and four appointed by the Stark County Commissioners) and manages a 9 million dollar annual operating budget. Akron-Canton Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the U.S. and offers the lowest average fare in the State of Ohio.
Rick began his career at the airport as Airport Accountant in 1982. He was promoted to Controller, then Assistant Director of Finance and Administration and then held the position of Assistant Airport Director, the number two position in the organization. As Assistant Airport Director, he was responsible for managing finances, accounting, contracts, and government funding; personnel hiring and employee benefit programs; and capital project administration, including the $24 million concourse replacement and $80 million in airfield upgrades (part of the STAR Capital Improvement Plan completed in 2006). Under Rick's leadership, the airport received the an Excellence in Engineering award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Ohio; the FAA’s Great Lakes Region Safety Award; and the American Society of Professional Engineer’s Excellence in Engineering Award.
Rick graduated from Walsh College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and Finance. He serves on the Walsh University Advisory Board, the Greater Akron Chamber Board of Trustees, the Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Stark Development Board. Prior to his employment at the airport, Rick worked for Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young).
Kristie Van Auken, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Promoted to Senior Vice President in 2008, Kristie manages and directs all airport marketing and communication programs, including: air service development, branding, advertising, media relations, social media, and internal and external communications. Kristie is often invited to speak at local, regional and national conferences and forums about airport marketing, branding and social media. Kristie authors "It's a Trip," a popular airport blog and can be found on Twitter at CAKristie.
In addition to her airport duties, Kristie serves on the Board of Directors of the Air Carrier Association of America, the Akron AAA, the Executive Marketing Forum, the Cleveland+ Regional Marketing Alliance, and the Walsh University Business Advisory Council. She is also a Leadership Akron graduate. Additionally, Kristie co-chairs the stewardship and communication committees at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron.
She joined the airport staff in 1996 as Director of Marketing. Prior to joining the airport, Kristie worked for the Greater Akron Chamber and the State of Michigan, International Affairs division.
Kristie was honored as a 2008 Distinguished Sales and Marketing professional by Sales and Marketing Executives of Cleveland; was selected as one of 30 for the Future, recognizing today's young leaders in Northeastern Ohio in 2007; and Crain’s Cleveland Business included Kristie in their 40 Under 40 list of upcoming executives in Northeast Ohio in 2005.
She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas and a Masters of Public Administration from Western Michigan University.
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