Akron-Canton Airport President & CEO Announces Retirement Plans
After a 36-year career at the Akron-Canton Airport, with the last 10 of those years as CAK’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick McQueen has announced plans to retire at the close of 2018.
“Nothing at the airport looks the same as the day I began working here,” McQueen said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to guide the Akron-Canton Airport through significant capital improvements and growth over the past decade. With the airport’s 10-year, $118 million capital improvement plan coming to a close this year, it’s the right time for me to pass the torch on to a new leader who will guide our airport to its next big achievement.”
Among the accomplishments of McQueen’s career are:
- Runway 5-23 extension
- Numerous terminal building upgrades and renovations
- An improved entrance road
- Covered short-term parking
- Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility replacement
- New General Aviation Customs and Border Patrol Facility
- Port Green Industrial Park
With an economic impact of more than half a billion dollars, the Akron-Canton Airport is one of the leading economic generators in the region. In addition to an impressive financial impact, under McQueen’s leadership, the airport has contributed to and helped sustain more than 3,000 jobs in the Northeast Ohio region.
“It is hard to believe I have spent the last 36 years here at CAK,” said McQueen. “The people here have become colleagues, friends and family – I will miss them. This is an outstanding team that takes ownership of our airport, and I’m confident they will continue to make CAK a better way to go.”
McQueen began his career at CAK in 1982 as Airport Accountant. He was promoted to Controller, then Assistant Director of Finance and Administration and then held the position of Assistant Airport Director. After the retirement of Fred Krum in 2008, the board of trustees unanimously agreed to promote McQueen to the post of President & CEO.
“Mr. McQueen has left an indelible mark on the history of the Akron-Canton Airport. His leadership has been a key asset in the growth and development of CAK,” said Robert G. Konstand, Akron-Canton Airport Board of Trustees Chair. ‘Through his strong strategic planning and thoughtful maximization of construction funding, he and his team have done a terrific job of positioning the airport to take advantage of future opportunities that will come our way. We are grateful for his tenure at the airport and his work to solidify CAK as an integral part of the regional community.”
McQueen serves on the board of directors for the following organizations; Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Stark Economic Development Board, The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the OAA (Ohio Aviation Association) and NEOMED (Northeast Ohio Medical University).
“In my time at the airport, I have had a truly unique opportunity to champion air service for improved quality of life and economic advancement,” said McQueen. “It’s exciting to have been part of is this community’s support of air service that has transformed CAK into a vital asset of this region’s transportation infrastructure.”
The Akron-Canton Airport Authority’s eight-member Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for McQueen’s successor in the upcoming months.
“It is characteristic of Mr. McQueen’s dedication to the airport that he has given us a full year to search for and name his successor,” said Konstand. “We are grateful for his consideration and look forward to working alongside him during this transition.”
In retirement, McQueen looks forward to spending time with his wife, Karen, their two sons, their families and remaining active in the Akron/Canton communities.
