ACI recognizes Risk Management Professionals- should honors be awarded to …
all SMS PREVENTATIVE SOLVERS?
Airports Council International-NA (ACI-NA)recognized the value to their members of RISK MANAGEMENT by selecting Professionals who excelled in reducing risk at their facilities. People who identify possible problems usually are not recognized by organizations. Those who are called in to fix mistakes are frequently recipients of praise. First responders is a term of honor; while PREVENTATIVE SOLVERS are never highlighted. Many insurance carriers NOW value programs, like SMS (particularly if enhanced by AI), by REDUCING THE PREMIUMS.
Great credit to ACI-NA for highlighting this professional discipline. The awards ceremony sends a message to Airport Boards, senior management, supervisors and line staff that PREVENTING ACCIDENTS through risk management programs is IMPORTANT. While Airlines for America annually recognizes the engineering or maintenance excellence with its the Nuts & Bolts Awards, the association would further enhance its members’ operations by recognizing SMS achievement at all levels of the airlines. Similarly, RAA frequently emphasizes the value of critical Safety Management Systems, but a search did not find its award highlighting its members’ efforts to establish and promote culture in their organizations. Similar campaigns by AAAE, ACI,AIA, AIAA, AOPA, ARSA, GAMA,NBAA, NATA and other industry organizations would promote and encourage this successful safety paradigm.
This attention may seem to be overkill, but our staff working with a wide variety of aviation entities have seen programs launched, but focus diminish. White Noise can be counteracted by different messages as well as different voices. A national competition initiated by a respected national voice is one powerful method of raising awareness.
Airports Council Announces 2024 Risk Management Professional of the Year Award Recipients
The award recognizes exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in the field of airport risk management.
| 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, PHR, CSP, ARM 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. |
