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INDUSTRY INSIDER May 2014 airportbusiness 15 They probably also do not realize that he plans to combine his experience heading advisory efforts with his culinary expertise to craft a successful recipe for airports in the years to come. The first ingredient, his background in the industry, is essential. "Todd has a demonstrated record of success in service to our membership, a sterling reputation in Washington, and a clear, well-developed vision for navigating AAAE through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, including the need to enhance coordination and cooperation within the airport community," says AAAE Chair Mark Brewer, A.A.E., airport director at the Manchester- Boston Regional Airport. But this recipe wouldn't be complete without the centering he receives from his favorite pastime.""I am an avid chef, I like to cook," Hauptli says. "For me, it's a great release because I get to focus on something that has a beginning, middle, and an end," he says. "A lot of what I do in Washington never really has an end." Airport Business recently spoke with Hauptli to find out what he is mixing up at AAAE, and in the conversation he dished about the proposed Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) increase, the potential Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding decrease, customs wait times and more. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM WITH AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL-NORTH AMERICA (ACI-NA) GOING FORWARD? There are two airport groups in Washington, D.C., AAAE and ACI-NA, which represent many, if not most, of the same folks. Recognizing that it's vital that we speak with a single message in Washington, D.C., the leadership of AAAE and ACI-NA are fully committed to ensuring both organizations are in alignment on public policy issues. When the AAAE selection committee was interviewing candidates for the position, they made it very clear they expected the new AAAE CEO to work collaboratively with ACI-NA and its new leadership, and that's something that I am absolutely committed to doing. After I was selected, but before I officially began, I flew around the country and met with each member of the ACI-NA executive committee to ensure they understood how committed I was to making sure that the two organizations worked collaboratively. HOW IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVELY IS COLLABORATING WITH ACI-NA? In Washington, particularly when you're dealing with Congress, it's very important that indus- tries speak with a single voice. It's very easy for members of Congress to dismiss industries that fight amongst themselves. If you look back to the mid- to late-90s, in the airline industry, the low-cost carriers were trying to keep the same taxation system that was in place and the legacy carriers were looking to change to a very different model that was more focused on segment fees. The airlines were divided and couldn't speak with Todd Hauptli took over the reigns as AAAE's president/CEO in December 2013. airb_14-17_IndustryInsider.indd 15 5/2/14 9:38 AM