Elaine Roberts, A.A.E., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, will receive the American Association of Airport Executives’ Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to airport executives in honor of an exemplary career and contributions to the airport industry.
“Elaine is an invaluable colleague who has served the nation’s aviation community in a wide variety of roles, including airport director and active AAAE member,” said Jeff Mulder, A.A.E., Director of Airports at the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust. “In addition to her years of hard work as a successful airport director, Elaine has been so passionate about airports that she has undertaken numerous volunteer positions that have resulted in invaluable improvements to our industry.”
The Distinguished Service Award is one of AAAE’s highest levels of recognition. Men and women receive the award as a mark of accomplishments in their professional and personal lives. Respected leaders of their own communities, these men and women also contribute to other aviation organizations, serve AAAE and its chapters and participate in civic and community affairs. Distinguished Service Award winners exemplify the best in airport management by continually bringing credit to the profession and the aviation community. All DSA winners are Accredited Airport Executives (A.A.E.) and exemplify the standards accreditation seeks to inspire. Roberts will receive the award on Tuesday, March 22, at a meeting of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority’s Board of Directors.
Roberts has been active in many aspects of AAAE over the years, including serving a term as AAAE Chair and as a member of the Executive Committee and the Policy Review Committee. Roberts is also a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE) and served as President of AAAE’s Northeast Chapter.
Roberts has served as President and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority – which oversees operations at Port Columbus International, Rickenbacker International and Bolton Field Airports – since it was created in 2003. She served as Executive Director of its predecessor agency, the Columbus Airport Authority, since 2000. Roberts also was Executive Director at the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and spent 12 years with the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
