Outgoing Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport CEO Candace McGraw was recognized as the 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award by the Airports Council International.
The award honors outstanding leadership and innovative vision within the aviation industry. It was presented on Monday at the ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, MI.
McGraw was recognized for her contributions to the aviation industry, according to a press release. McGraw was hired as CVG’s CEO in 2011. Prior to that, she served as the the airport’s chief administrative officer.
“I am very honored to accept this award because I am so deeply passionate about our industry,” McGraw said in the release. “The mission of ACI, both in North America and globally, is to work collaboratively to drive positive advancements in aviation and to increase economic impact to benefit our communities. That mission mirrors the collaborative work done by my colleagues each day at CVG. This award is the direct result of their hard work and commitment to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region.”
ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin Burke called McGraw a “true visionary and a trailblazer” in the airline industry.
“Her expertise on every major issue facing airports today — whether it’s cargo, infrastructure investment, passenger satisfaction, innovation, workforce management, air space management, or technology — sets the bar for airport leadership,” he said in the release.