Anne Saxton Promoted to Director of Concessions and Business Development at MAC
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has promoted Anne Saxton to the role of director of concessions and business development following a national search. She started serving in her new role Monday, March 31.
A seasoned entrepreneur with expertise in business development and strategic partnerships, Saxton previously served as the MAC’s interim director of concessions and business development since August 2024, and as senior manager for strategic partnership development from March 2024 to August 2024. She started with the MAC as a concessions and business development manager in December 2019.
“Concessions and business development work at the MAC is central to our purpose of providing exceptional airport experiences so Minnesota thrives,” said MAC CEO and Executive Director Brian Ryks. “It’s important for us to have the right mix of amenities for travelers, and to have a strong portfolio of businesses and strategic partnerships in place to support ongoing development. Anne has a proven record of helping businesses succeed while surpassing customer expectations.”
In Saxton’s new position, she plays a key role in planning and executing the MAC’s business strategies, working to increase non-aeronautical revenue at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. She is responsible for design, development, management, and operation of MAC’s terminal concession program. She plays a leading role in defining and implementing initiatives for concessions, strategic partnerships, and advertising. She also analyzes and evaluates external business trends, assesses the compatibility of new business concepts with the airports, and develops and promotes plans for integrating new business concepts. Saxton reports to MAC Vice President, Commercial Revenue Officer Isabella Rhawie.
“We are excited to have Anne take on this role for the MAC,” Rhawie said. “She has deep experience with business development, and she has shown a remarkable ability to recognize and meet customer needs and expectations. MSP has earned a reputation as one of the best airports in the country, and we know Anne’s work in this new role will help us maintain and build on that success.”
Prior to joining the MAC, Saxton was the marketing director for Placemaker Hospitality, a Minneapolis-based restaurant group. As an entrepreneur, she also helped develop and operate The Draft Horse – an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis – from 2015 to 2019. Saxton has a degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and she earned airport commercial management certification from Airports Council International.
