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Guidry leads one of the nation\u2019s busiest general aviation airports, where more than 350,000 annual operations span piston, jet, helicopter, and flight training activity alongside commercial service. Since becoming director in 2019, she has overseen a staff of over 120 while navigating both growth and challenges\u2014including the COVID-19 pandemic\u2014always with an emphasis on collaboration and listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be part of this community, alongside residents, pilots, and businesses,\u201d Guidry said. \u201cThis award recognizes our team\u2019s dedication to listening, collaborating, and building understanding across all who are connected to the airport. It\u2019s an honor we share together.\u201d Her approach has led to innovative outreach efforts, including a community webinar with city leadership, FAA representatives, pilots, and tenants, as well as an ongoing \u201cBusiness Partner Spotlight\u201d featured at Airport Commission meetings and in the airport\u2019s Business Partner Brief newsletter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLong Beach Airport\u2019s success under Cynthia\u2019s leadership shows how strong airport-business-community partnerships create better outcomes for everyone. From proactive engagement to innovative programs supporting the transition to unleaded avgas, she\u2019s modeling how to balance operational needs with community priorities. NATA is pleased to recognize Cynthia with NATA\u2019s 2025 Airport Executive Partnership Award,\u201d stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Southern California native with a civil engineering background, Guidry previously served as Deputy Executive Director for Los Angeles World Airports, where she played key roles in modernization and planning at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). She counts both 9\/11 and the COVID-19 crisis as formative experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy in difficult times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Long Beach Airport has also emerged as a leader in the transition to unleaded aviation fuel under Guidry\u2019s stewardship. Through its Subsidized Aviation Fuel for the Environment (SAFE) program and \u201cGoing Green with Unleaded Gas\u201d incentive, the airport provides financial support to pilots adopting unleaded alternatives, demonstrating what Guidry calls a \u201csolution-focused\u201d approach to balancing community and industry interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n