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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/193245
40 under forty AGE 39 STEVEN HENNIGAN ❘ STEVEN Hennigan grew up in a family of lawyers and doctors where chasing after an aviation career was a stretch of the imagination. However, his father nurtured his interest in aviation by bringing him to see planes or to visit air shows. Today Hennigan has more than 16 years of aviation experience and serves as the assistant general manager for Operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Tex. At IAH, his responsibilities include management of the airside, landside and ground transportation operations. Prior to joining the Houston Airport System, Hennigan worked in airport operations at Denver International Airport. Hennigan's background includes having worked in operations for both FedEx Express and United ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, OPERATIONS GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT Airlines. In the airport environment, he has worked in security, operations, and emergency management. This diverse background helped him gain extensive experience in process development and procedural implementation. Hennigan received a Bachelor's degree in aviation business administration from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University. While in Denver, he worked with the Embry-Riddle Alumni office to start the Rocky Mountain Alumni Association, which he lead until passing the helm on to capable hands when he relocated to Houston. He is also an active mentor for high school and college students interested in aviation. As an A.A.A.E. member, he has received the Airport Certified Employee (ACE) designation for both Operations and Security. He also has a commercial pilot: airplane single and multiple engine land certificate. Additionally, Hennigan has extensive emergency management training including the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Certificate, and Incident Command certification through the Center for Domestic Preparedness. His advice to industry newcomers is: "Don't be afraid to move. I went out and sought new challenges and moved to new locations in order to continually gain knowledge." And don't give up the fight. "Keep plugging along; it's not an easy industry to crack—everybody knows everybody in this industry. But if you keep at it someone YEARS IN AVIATION will eventually give you a break." 16 "Davita uses her creativity to build alliances, using her networks from public service, community involvement and private industry to strengthen the Nashville business and professional community and inspire positive changes in many areas." EMILY RICHARD, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AGE 39 DAVITA TAYLOR ❘ "THE uniqueness of the industry is what sparked my love for aviation," says Davita Taylor, director, Business Diversity Development at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA). "Since the day I began my career in aviation, no one day has been the same as the last or the next. It keeps me coming back." Taylor joined the MNAA in 2008 and served as interim director of the Office of Business Diversity Development from February through April 2012, before taking on her current position. When asked about her accomplishments, Taylor says: " I am proud of all my accomplishments, small or large. Being able to assist in businesses growing and expanding is an 30 airportbusiness October 2013 DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT METROPOLITAN NASHVILLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY accomplishment all in itself, and it's one I get to experience every day," she says. Prior to joining the MNAA, Taylor worked in diversity compliance for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. A Tennessee native, Taylor earned a Bachelor's degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master's degree from Austin Peay State University. Her business diversity development career also includes work for the Tennessee Department of Transportation; Medical Staffing Network Inc.; Mid-South Minority Business Council; and Memphis Light, Gas and Water. Taylor is a certified master compliance administrator and a member of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and current president of the Middle Tennessee Public Purchasing Association. Her advice to others entering the aviation industry is simple: "Be open to new challenges, learning new things and adopting new perspectives." She then adds, "Maintain a healthy life-work balance," which Taylor does by volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Rutherford County. YEARS IN AVIATION 5.5