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The three main themes under the plan are the future of\nairports and industry trends, human capital and diversity, and advocacy. There\nare many different strategic goals and action items under each theme that Schulz\nbelieves will provide an opportunity to help set ACC apart and provide unique\nvalue to airport development companies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSpecifically, we will be looking to update our \u2018Development at U.S. Airports<\/em>\u2019 report, which will provide a 5-year summary overview of airport trends and capital development programs,\u201d said Schulz. \u201cWe will also look to develop a benchmarking tool to allow member companies to assess how their firm is performing amongst their peers.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps most exciting for the 40-year-old organization is\ncontinuing the tremendous growth in the ACC Young Professionals Forum.\nAttracting and retaining the next generation of airport development experts is\na key priority in the ACC strategic plan, and the YP Forum has offered young\nprofessionals an opportunity to convene and develop new professional networks,\nwhile also enhancing their professional development. \u201cThis has also provided an\nopportunity to give leadership responsibilities and visibility to young\nprofessionals,\u201d said Schulz. \u201cWe have a lot of exciting activities planned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One key tool is the ACC Training Hub, which was launched\nlate last year. The Training Hub is a new on-line learning management system\nthat hosts ACC\u2019s live webinars and hundreds of on-demand courses. Also offered is\nfull accreditation for airport professionals that are on-the-go. \u201cI believe the\nTraining Hub will become a vital tool in helping ACC implement the visionary\nstrategic plan,\u201d said Schulz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since becoming President in 2014, Schulz has seen the\nindustry expand as well as face new challenges. \u201cCertainly I was fortunate to take the reins\nat ACC during a substantial growth period in aviation and the airport\ndevelopment industry in general,\u201d said Schulz. \u201cI have consistently heard from\nprofessionals with many more years of experience say that this is the busiest\ntime they have ever seen, and certainly that is affirmed by the tremendous\namount of work going on at airports across the country.\u201d As a result, ACC is pleased\nto have a record number of companies as members, and has managed to greatly\nincrease the diversity of the types of companies that have joined the\norganization as well. \u201cThat reflects the many new ways that airports are\nplanning and delivering their capital development programs,\u201d said Schulz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leading an organization like ACC can certainly be\nchallenging as well as exhausting for anyone, including an industry veteran\nlike Schulz. \u201cIf I had hair to begin with, I\u2019m sure it would be more gray,\u201d\nmused Schulz, who has seen himself change during his time leading ACC. \u201cI have\nbecome much more appreciative of what a wonderful mentor I had in ACC\u2019s\nprevious long-time president, Paula Hochstetler. She is still on the \u201chotline\u201d\nwhen I need some advice.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n One adaption that Schulz has had to undertake as leader is\nto check in with staff, as well as manage the day-to-day office and\nadministrative activities. This has been a challenge as he now attends many\nmore industry meetings and events, with his time in the office much more limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do love the fact that every day brings something new,\u201d\nsaid Schulz. \u201cOne day may be focused on understanding the implications of a new\nbill passed by Congress, and the next I am talking with the TSA about how to\nimprove their equipment acquisitions process.\u201d Schulz says that he is appreciative\nof the many opportunities that have arisen professionally, such as\nparticipating on the board of the Aero Club of Washington, the TSA Aviation\nSecurity Advisory Committee (ASAC), and testifying before Congress. Plus, the\nfact that he has made so many friends within the ACC membership and industry. \u201cIt\nreally makes it fun to come to work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Schulz is quick to recognize the role his staff plays at\nACC. \u201cQuite frankly, our success is absolutely due to our fantastic staff. They\nare incredibly hardworking and dedicated to the organization.\u201d Schulz says they\ntake pride in the fact that many believe they have a much larger staff – A\nsixth full-time position was recently added. \u201cWe have a unique standing in that\nour members truly feel like they have ownership in ACC and our intimate size\nallows us to forge very strong bonds with the membership,\u201d said Schulz. \u201cThe\nACC staff is also fun and bring so many diverse perspectives and attributes to\nACC.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside of work, Schulz, a graduate of Bucknell University\nwith a B.A. in Political Science, enjoys spending time with his wife, a son and\ndaughter, as well as a new puppy. \u201cI love going out with my wife, even for an\nhour or two, to reconnect and reflect on how crazy our life is,\u201d said Schulz. He\nalso enjoys grilling on his Big Green Egg and having a nice local India Pale\nAle. \u201cFishing is my passion however. It is truly a way to center myself and\nreconnect with nature.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/TJ-at-ACC-Confedit.jpg\")
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