Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Completes Leadership Team with Promotions

Setting the stage for future growth and expansion, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) announced the following promotions within its leadership team:

Robert Ramsey: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Robert Ramsey was promoted to executive vice president (EVP) along with his title of chief operating officer (COO). In this position, Ramsey assumes the additional responsibility of overseeing the Information Technology department as well as leading the Operations, Facilities Maintenance, Public Safety, Engineering, Environmental Management, Safety, and Strategic Planning and Sustainability programs at both the Nashville International Airport and the John C. Tune Airport.

“Robert Ramsey has a proven record of superior performance at both of our airports,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of MNAA. “From Engineering Manager to Director of Design, then Chief Engineer, and now the COO, Robert has the experience and leadership talents necessary to ensure we continue to meet Nashville’s and Middle Tennessee’s growing demands for commercial, corporate and the general aviation services today and into the future.”

Ramsey joined the airport authority in 2003 and he was instrumental in launching the BNA Vision, MNAA’s expansion and renovation plan for Nashville International Airport. He served eight years in the United States Air Force as an officer in multiple squadron leadership roles. A graduate of the University of Missouri and the Virginia Military Institute, Ramsey is a Professional Engineer (PE), an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E) and an International Airport Professional (IAP).

Traci Holton: vice president of engineering and deputy chief operating officer

Traci Holton has been promoted to vice president of engineering and deputy chief operating officer for her successful hands-on management of the Engineering department and her leadership role as chief engineer, directing the $1.4 billion BNA Vision expansion of Nashville International Airport.

“Traci Holton is an outstanding leader. She has demonstrated extraordinary skill directing the many construction and design projects at both Nashville International Airport and John C. Tune Airport,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of MNAA. “She brings a level of expertise and focus on airport projects that we embrace and rely upon throughout our organization, and her increased role gives us added assurance as we continue to expand BNA and redevelop JWN.”

Holton joined MNAA in 2003 and most recently served as assistant vice president of development and engineering. Before joining the airport authority, Holton worked as a transportation engineer for a local consulting firm, where she designed and managed roadway projects throughout the state of Tennessee. She also has experience in bridge design, environmental permitting and site development.

She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Tennessee and is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Tennessee Section; American Society of Civil Engineers, Tennessee Section, Nashville Branch; and the American Association of Airport Executives. In 2020, she was named Government Engineer of the Year by the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers’ Nashville Chapter. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Lipscomb University.

Kristen Deuben: vice president of finance and deputy chief financial officer

Kristen Deuben was promoted to vice president of finance and deputy chief financial officer for her exceptional management and execution of the budgeting function and other accounting-related operations with the airport’s Finance Department. Deuben previously served as assistant vice president of finance. In her new role, she oversees Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis, Risk Management and Treasury.

“Managing the budget process and all that entails has been critical at MNAA, especially as we navigate the effects of the pandemic,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of MNAA. “Kristen Deuben’s in-depth financial analysis has greatly assisted our efforts to remain a low-cost airport, which allows us to continue attracting greater air service options for business and leisure travelers in Middle Tennessee. I’m very confident that, under her leadership, we will continue to grow for many years to come.”

Deuben joined MNAA in 2018 and has more than 10 years of accounting and financial management experience in the aviation industry. She previously served as assistant controller for the Wayne County Airport Authority, which operates Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Willow Run Airport and its airport hotel. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from University of Detroit Mercy.

KC Hampton: assistant vice president of information technology

KC Hampton was promoted to assistant vice president of information technology for both his leadership and technical expertise in managing the complex IT needs of the airport authority. In this position, Hampton will manage strategic and day-to-day activities of the IT Department to ensure effective and efficient planning, delivery and security of enterprise systems and technologies for both Nashville International and John C. Tune airports.

“KC Hampton has the proven skills and experience needed at the airport as we embark on a new era of growth and expansion,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of MNAA. “A strong IT department is critical to our needs and his elevation to lead this effort is welcome across the organization.”

Hampton officially joined MNAA in 2019. Before joining the team at MNAA, Hampton worked as an IT professional in the healthcare sector for 22 years. In the early days of his career, he worked as a network system engineer to design and build a nationwide network in support of real-time processing of healthcare claims, lab results and pharmaceutical transactions. In Hampton’s more recent career, he has managed a diverse set of teams from IT support and operations to large IT planning and engineer teams.

MNAA was established in 1970 and owns and operates Nashville International Airport and John C. Tune Airport.