Rick Lucas
Age: 33
Senior Project Planner
McFarland Johnson Inc.
- Alma Mater: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
- Something people may not know about me: I once led a portion of a presidential motorcade
- Favorite book: None
- Favorite TV show: None
- Favorite movie: None
- Favorite hobby(s): Travel and photography
A missed flight turned out to be a life-changing experience for Rick Lucas. “I was working in operations at [Daytona Beach International Airport] while I was still in college. I was going to fly home for Christmas Eve, with plans to fly back on Christmas night,” he said.
After a delay, his flight went back to the gate and he went to the next gate, where he saw a gate supervisor who was also a friend. “The flight was full, but there was a seat in first class, so he gave it to me. After arriving in Atlanta before my connecting flight, I went into the Delta Sky Club,” he said. “The club was full, but there was one empty seat. I happened to sit next to a person who worked at the company I was applying for.” That person put Lucas in touch with the hiring manager, which led to a job.
Lucas’s passion for airports dates back to his teen years, where you could find him carefully observing airports near his childhood home. While working on a degree in aviation business administration focusing on airport management at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, he was president of the AAAE student chapter for two years, tripling the size of the chapter. He also earned his private pilot license and worked full-time in operations at Daytona Beach International Airport
A big issue facing the industry is the role of small and medium airports, said Lucas. “I believe they are in jeopardy because of where the airline industry is headed. Most people don’t realize that the economic wellbeing of small communities are being affected by the shareholders of the major airlines,” he said. “Airlines have a responsibility to shareholders to maximize profits and if smaller airports are not profitable, they are cut. It will get worse before it gets better.”
Lucas has a unique hobby he says has been surprisingly helpful in his airport career. “A few years ago, I took some improv classes. I discovered there were professional takeaways you wouldn’t expect. For example, when your work with a scene partner, you want them to look good so you look good, which sets you up for success,” he said. “It’s the same working in a consulting firm. When the clients look good, we look good.”
